Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1862-08-08
FRIDAY. AUGUST s. 1862.

ErrSHIbn. inth, tVp' s"" e'NN Wv
no, forget the suggestion Of the pastor, and
on Christmas eve as the Widow Willis wa'
si,,ine in her desolatc home. her mind wan
derins to the days now forever aed. she wat
startled by hearing tho heavy footsteps ol
more than one person coming over the fro
,cn ground in front OF her humble cottage
and by the opening Of the door without
ceremony. Hail an hour after she knel, by
the couch of her sick child thanking God
for his goodness. for having pot 1t into the
hearts OF ,hosr TO whom abundance had been
given to share with her. and that now
through winters storm and cold she had
enough for oil their wants.
New Years cimc and passed OF pleas
an,ly, and tie disappointment was forgot.
ten. But surely some great even, was upon
the tapis. aid one to another as they saw
Mrs. Van Dorcn. on the evening OF the
sewing society. eon,ersins IN low tones,
now with group OF matrons. and now
beekonine one out FOR a private oonsulia'
ton bat the ma,rons kep, their own coun.
sci. and whatever va, their plan, it was
conducted with 4" tho secrecy Of a com.
minder IN chief"
Tho pastor with hi. vito and chillr n
were invited To spend the day M the farm.
house Of Mr.. Van Dorcn, and quite early
ia the morning the farmer called at the
Iaronise, saying, happening 90 be in the
village 30 came % sec II they would ride
out with him. And when the pastor said
they would take their own carriage. he said
no. bis" team would be comm. down 10
the evening. but he did not ado that il va.
done TO prevent their return before seven
O'Clock, and as hs would no, be refused.
the pastor slii. 4" Have It your own way"
~ Wethoush, Abou, inviting you to spend
New Years with u, tut thu, day was 81
sal like to my wife and |. We used "a
have al the children At home New Years.
bn, two Of our boy, are in the army" and
the farmer drew his hand across hi, face,
brushing away tear that ,rcmbIcd upon
bis iarrowed check.
The moon was smn'n; brightly, ralinc
the light Of the twinkllue stars, as farmer
Van Dlrrn drove into lho village. bu.ily
talking Of ,hi, aud that. now referring to
10 some obj,,; on the street, in order TO d..
vert tie attention OF the minister from the
parsonage a. they were approaching IT,.
Bat, as they drew up IN font OF the par.
s1nagc, there was an exclamation OF sur.
prize from both the pastor aud his vile
lights were cleaning from every window
many head, were secn IA the parlors. and
forms were ilit,ins To and fro before the up.
per windows. While the musical ring OF hap.
~ voices iloited out upon the still. frosty
air; the young people bad evidently taken
ro''cssicn OF the UPPER rooms. and were
making ihcmsclve. merry. Then. too. there
were vehicles of every description around.
blackadlns eGsetually tho entrance to tue
barn" no pap,r blockade the farmer
sail, and he rather thought there was more
than a paper party in the house.
"Ah. - you have out-ccnetaled US,
the pastor said, ne he placed hI' hand on
tho bell knob and ruus tor admi,,anee 10
hi. own house. They were cordially vel.
coined by many scores Of smiling. happy
faces, and received as hOnOrcd guests.
"'Thc house is our. to night" said tie
kindhCar,cd farmer. and prime mover Of the
whole. "and you arc only visitors" and
he conducted the pastor - the dining room,
where the table. were loaded with all the
good things for which Dutch house wifcry
has been celebrated. and conspicuous among
them were Mrs Van Dorcn'- famous dough.
nuts. Thcn. too, there was the presenta.
ton OF purse Of two hundred dollars. and
when i, was placed in the pastors hands
hi. hear, was full, and it was with trem.
ulous voice he thanked his people for their
kind rcmcmbranccs.
There was nothing 10 mar their enjoyment.
save that many OF the brave young men,
who were won, To minslc with them were
far away. And when the pastor spoke Of
the volunteers who 50 nohly had gone forth
from alec,ona,e home circles, and 80 he
roically arrayci themselves in the defence
Of their. couniry's honor, u shadow stole
over many face. aud liquid pearls trembled
on blu.bins cheeks. for there were hearts
there in which was enshrined holy and
true love for those upon the tented field.
Clear and bright the morning broke.
The hoar fros, sparkled in the brilliant sun
-hine a. though tll earth was all Jesrangled
with gliitering diamonds, all nature seemed
clothed in winters gala robes; aock Of
snow.birds were lu,'erlns upon the snow,
and the pastors children stood upon the
porch throwing ou. crumbs to them. and
u,tcrinS joyous shouts while watching them
IL, to ahd fro.
Within, pastor and wifs are looking over
the gifts Of the people, and speaking OF
their love and kindness. Nothing had been
forgo,ten-,herc was hay and oats in the
barn, and the pantry" Z" groaned beneath
its burden. Those new books could 10
added to the library. the pastor. wife said,
and when he spoke Of the new cloak. she
hushcd him with gentle smile, saying.
80 we'll 400 how times arn next yearu And