Litchfield enquirer., 1862-01-02
WHOLE NO. 1908
LITTLE oARL's CHRISTMAS EVE.
BY GRACE GREENWOOD.

Come in r shouted together the host and hos. tess ot nttie German wayside inn, near the banks or the Rhine. and not far below the city of Basic, and the borders of Switzerland. It was Christmas eve and tempestous niyht T'ha wind was raving round the little inn, and tearing away at windows and doors, as though mad to get at the brave little light within, and extin. guish it without mercy. The snow was falling fast, drifting and driving, obstructing the high. way binding the eyes of man and beast.
 The come in of the host and hostess was in answer to loud. hurried rap at the door by which there immediately entered two travellers. One, by his military dress seemed soldier, and the other appeared to be his servant. This was the case. General Wallenstein was on his way from Carlrushe, to his home at Basic. He had been delayed several hours by an accident to his post-carriage and by the storm. and now found himself obliged to stop for the night at this loue y and comfortless little inn. When the officer threw aside his plumed hat and military cloak of rich fur and strode up to the fire, with his epauletts, flashing in the light, and his sword knocking against his heels, cling, clang-the gruf host was greatly impressed with his importance and willingly went out to assist postillion in the care of the horses. As for the old hostess, she hustled about with wonderful activity to prepare supper for the great man.
 Ho, Carl! she cried-'th thou young Rhine. spirit. thou waterimp, run to the wood for an. other bundle of faggots! Away. haste thee, or I'll give thee back to thy elfin kinsfolk, who are ever bowling for theev
 At these strange. sharp words, a wild looking little boy started up from dusky corner of the room, where he had been lying with his head pillowed on great tawny Swiss dog, and darted out of the door. He was coarsely dressed and barefooted yet there was something uncommon about him-something grand yet familiar in his look, which struck the traveller strangely.
 Is that your child ? he asked.
 No, indeed said the old dame--s I'm poor woman, and have seen trouble in my time, but, blessed be the saints I'm not the mother of va. terimps.'
 Why do you call the boy water-imp2'
 l call him so, your excellency,' said the wo. man; shrinking her shrill voice into an awe. struck tone- because he came from the water, and belongs to the water. He Aoated down the Rhine in the great flood, four years ago come spring-a mere baby, that could barely tell his name, perched on the roof of little chalet, in the night, amid thunder, lightning and rain.- Now it is plain that no human child could have lived through that. My good man spied him in the morning early, and took him of in his boat. l took him in for pity-but have always been afraid of him, and every aood-time l think the nnlHe IS CoHiluS IOT HIS OWu dkalus The traveller seemed deeply interested, and we'll he might be; for in the very flood of which the superstitious old dame spoke, his only child, an infant boy, had been lost, with his nurse, whose cottage, on the river bank below Basle, had been swept away by night.
 Was the child quite alone on the roof of the chalet? ? he asked in an agitated tone.
 'Yes;' said the hostess all but an old dog, who seemed to belong to him.
 That dog must have dragged him up on to the roof, and saved him r exclaimed the general - is he yet alive :?
 Yes, just alive. He must be very old, for he is almost stone blind and deaf. My good man would have put him out of the way long ago, but for Carl; and as he shares his meals and makes his bed with him, suppose it is no loss to keep the brute.'
 Show me the dog T! said the officer, with auth. ority.
 Here he lies. your excellency.' said the dame. We call him Efenhund,' (elf dog)
 General Wallensten bent over the dog, touch. ed him gently, and shouted in his ear his old name of Leon.' The dog had not forgotten it he knew that voice, the touch of that hand.- With a plaintve, joyful cry, he sprang up to the breast of his old master-nestled about nimbly for his hands, and licked them unreproved then sunk down, as though faint with joy, to his mas ter's feet The brave soldier was overcome with emotion-tears fell fast from his eyes, Faith. full creature,' he exclaimed, you have saved my child, and given him back to me-and kneelng down, he laid his hand on the head of the poor old dog, and blessed him.
 Just at this moment the door opened, and lit- tie Carl appeared toiling up the stairs, with his arms full of faggots-his cheerful face smiling brave defiance to winter winds, and night, and snow.
 Come hither, Carl said the soldier. The boy flung down his faggots, and drew near.
 'Dost thou know who I am
 An, no-the good Christmas.king, perhaps.' said the little lad, looking full of innocent won- derment.
 Alas. poor child how should'st thou remem. ber mo ? excainad General Wallenstein. sadly then clasping him in his arms, he said-' but I remember thee-thou art my boy, my dear, long. lost boy! Look in my face, embrace me; am thy fatherr
 No, surely said the child, that cannot be, for they tell me the Rhine is my father"
 The soldier smiled through his tears, and soon was able to convince his little son that he had better father than the old river, who carried him away from his tender parent. He told him of Q loving mother, who yet sorrowed for him, and of little blue-eyed sister, who would rejoice when he came! Carl listened, and wondered, and laughed, and when he comprehended it all, slid down from his fathers arms, and ran to em- brace old Leon.
 The next morning early, General Wallenstein. after having generously rewarded the inn-keeper and his wife for having given home, though poor one, to his son, departed for Basle. In his arms he carried Carl carefully wrapped in his warm fur cloak. and if sometimes the little bare feet of the child were thurst out from their GOV. ering, it was only to bury themselves in tho shaggy coat of old Leon, who lay suugly curled in the bottom of the carriage.
 will not attempt to tell you of the deep joy of Carls mother, and the wild delight of his lit tie sister--for think they were quite beyond any ones telling; but altogether, it was to the Wallensteins Christmas time to thank God for and they did thank Him.-LiVe Pilgrtm
 CHANGES IN THE NAVAL SERvIcE.-The bill to promote the efficiency of the navy having rass.
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