Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1860-01-05
yntetc5ttay Storp,
A CHRISTMAS STORY.

Il G6R1OIM MAS SIURY
1t was Christmas Eve, and the snow
lay deep in the streets of Seeberg, a
small mining town in Germany; but the
ueighboring peasants came down from
their mountain homes. and sought to for.
get the rigor of the season in innocent
festivity. Family groups assemble to,
gether, the voice Of song and Of childish
merriment resounds from many an hum.
BILE home, and preparations are being
made for general illumination.
Christmas Eve in Germany is welcom-
ed as a season Of rejoicing by the poorest
peasant, as we'll as by the wealthiest no
BILE Of the land. But amidst all these
happy homes, there was one lowlv dwell
ing at least wherein feast had been pre-
pared where az s sd; ;i'ufs II nsor rirfont
were heard.
Veronica Madel had for some time past
supported her blind father and little
brother by lace making The father had
been slater, an Industrious man, but
had lost his eye-sight from the effects of
confagrati0n which he had hravely
helped to extingush. His wife did not
long survive this calamity, but died. part
ly Of grief, partly OF over exertion, com
hitting her blind husband and her infant
boy to the care of her daughter Veronica.
herself still child.
Nerouica's mind. however, had been
prcmaturely ripened by the care and sor-
row which had so early fallen to her lot:
and she well fulfilled the charge commit
ted to her by her dying parent.
On this Christmas Eve of which we
speak, the young girl had been seated
before her laceA pillo~, working without
lintermissfonfrdtE rsasrsN morning TIL might
closed in; then, poor child, she was
forced to pause in her labors, for she
could not afford light. She made, how.
ever, a good fire in the stove to warm her
blind father; and, having placed him in
his easy chair close by its side, she Weld
ed to her brothers entreaties that she
would take him out to see the illumina
tons.
The tive children accordingly set forth
together. Already the whole town was
astir. Miners in their characteristic cos
tune marched along III groups with
bands.
Music preceding them; and ever and
anon they paused before the door of some
wealthy citizen. and carolled forth their
Christmas greeting. Then the door OF
the house so honored might be seen to
open, and the proprietor himself would
generally stepsRvth and reward the lead
er Of the socsss; ,.i.ilss frersAing him with
some small gratuity. Children, follow.
ing the example of their elders, wandered
also in little bands from door to door
singing their Christmas carols; and sci
dom were the young singers dismissed
without some trifing present, accompa
MED by kindly word.
As Veronica passed on her way, hold
ing her little brother by the hand, and
gazing on these varied groups, a new
thought suddenly suggested itself tc
her mind Why should she not seek to
win some trihiug Christmas gifts for hel
poor blind tather?'
Timidly, and with beating heart the
poor child bent her steps towards a par
OF the town where she was but little
known. The character she was about t.
play was very new to her; and her hear
we'll nigh failed her when it came to tht
point; but love TO her father nerved heI
to the task, and It'd sing her hood close
ly around her, she stepped close under
the window Of a house of lowly aspect
and sang in clear though subdued tones
the following verse;
Cheer up, ye miners bold,
Nor let your courage flag
For earth her wealth untold,
Yields to your patient toll
I Then joyous dig beneath the soil,
! And still be your gathering cry.
Cheer up, brave hearts cheer up!"
| Neronlca's voice was tremulous will
fear when she began these simple lines
but she gained courage as she proceeded
and she repeated the burden of the sons
with spirit and energy. She then paused
and anxlously awaited the results Of hel
efforts. Two or three minutes ELAPSED
the time seemed long to poor Veronica
she felt Inundated and confused, and wa.
about to withdraw; but at last the doc,
turned npolstfs lIigsaess aud a woman
came out and placed il Veronica's trem
bling hands asnall cake and a twopenny
piece.
The poor girl could scarcely contaip
herself for joy. Oh, my dear littlt
Georhel" she exclaimed, see what .
happy beginning have made You shall
have the sugar plum; but the cake anc
the money are for father, that he, too
may be able to keep his Christmas feast.
The night was now far advanced; anc
Veronica thought she would make bu
one trial moro before she turned her step
homeward. This time, she determined
on trying her chance at the door OF ricl
man, an Inspector Of some mines. Clear
and firm her young yoicc-now rose thro
1.-THE still midnight ali; and, whea heI