The Democratic press. (Eaton, Preble County, Ohio) 1860-1865, 1862-01-02
M Written for the Democratic Press.
GBe
Ghrlstmas Augels.
By AUNT MARY.
Written for the Democratic Press.
PART II.
BY AUNT MARY.

Herbert Ashton took the scroll
and as with trembling hands he
tepened it, the stone was rolled
away from the door of his heart
and the memories Of the Past, like
angels with their wings folded,
glided into the inner chamber of
his soul; and as the scenes of by
gone days passed silently before
him, the worshipper of Mammon
wept. He read OF a Christmas eve
long since descended into the great
tomb Of the Past, when a gay bri-
dal party was assembled at a
princely mansion. The bride was
young and fair-and with trust.
ing heart she plighted her maiden
vows to the husband Of her choice.
The bridegroom was young mer,
chant, whose opening prospects OF
wealth and commercial prosperity
were the envy Of his companions.
The world pronounced it a brilliant
match, but conscience whispered
to the young man that the red gold
and broad lands Of the hcireSS were
Of more real value in his eyes than
the pure, loving and trusting heart
of the maiden. For there lay in Il
Iowly chamber, not far from this
gay scene, a fair young girl, just
fading away from earth, whose
broken heart bore witness to his
broken vows-for she had no dow
er but her pure heart and spotless
fame. AS his false lips pledged
his faithIess and sordid soul to a
wealthy bride, the brokon-hearted
victim Of his trcachery entered the
silent land, and the Accusing An.
gel recorded another sin on the dark
page of the book Of Human Life.
Then came the memories Of
Home, Surgimg in upon his soul.
Of gentle hearts, and high and no.
bic aspirations, sacrificed alta golden
shrine; but by far the costliest Of
fering there, was daughters life.
Shame and guilt bowed the head
of Herbert Ashton as he saw the
shadowy forms Of a sad and youth
full bride, and an aged bri dcgroom
tottering on the verge Of the grave,
for whose wealth he had bartcred
a daughters hopes and happiness
and consigned her to a living tomb
and he cried, 1T is enough, q
spirit Of the Pastl'
No. said the Angel, read on
others have sufered-why shouldst
thou escaped?
And he read of another Christ
mas eve, when the wayworn, wea-
ry and starving mother, with a babe
at her breast, knocked at the rich
mans door and humbly begged, fol
the love of the Christ st-child, a morse
of food. But the rich mans heart
was steeled to the cry Of the poor
and his pampcred menials drove
her from his inhospitable door,
That night the stars looked dowl
with fearful eyes on dead babe
in a dead mothers arms, and thei
spirits walked with the Christ
child and gathered flowers in til,
fields of Paradise Herbert Ash
ton dropped the scroll, and bower
his head in agony.
The Angel said, is thy wealth
worth the price thou hast paid 70
it in the past? My mission is end
ed. Let the record of the Past bu
beacon to warn thee off th
shoals Of the Present and the quick
sands Of the Future And as tn
great gate of the Past closed behin'
him, lie was alone with the Angel o
the Present, WHO thus addressc'
him:
Mortal, thou hast looked int
the tomb Of the buried past-it
joys and pleasures thou canst neye
again realize, for
"Violets plucked, the sweetest rain
Never can make grow again."
Its sins, its errors, and its follie:
thou canst not undo, for it is gon
for ever from thy grasp, but it ha
left stain upon thy soul, whicl
unavailing tears cannot wipe away
The actions of the Present alon
can atone for the past. Come witt
me and | will show thee scene
that will teach thee that "Life
more than meat" and quiet con
science better than heaps of gold.
Their way lay through the city
the dark, dull, misty streets, alon
which the wind howled so mourn
fully that it seemed to be grievin
for the woes it could not relieve
Down past the noble mansions c
, wealth and luxury, into the narroN
alleys where squalid poverty hi
, its rags and wretchedness, till tn
shadowy form stopped at misera
Bile hovel, and bade Ashton enteI
He saw in room bare of all furn'