The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1862-01-31

Dutch they would In all probability have spent
their days in ease and obscuity; disappeared
among the dead, and never have beon thought
Of Afterwards, { the common fate Of mankind)
had Il not been for an episode which rescue
them from oblivion.
II was Christina eve Of the year 1775, and
within the walls Of the homestead we're light
and warmth and abundance Aroun tho pleas
ant fresids we're assembled tho father and
mother, their Oldest daughter, { wis by the
way was an extremely good looking young
lady) and her reserved admirer the son on .
nerhboring farmer. Tho room was decor
atod with ovorgoons brought from the
woods that day by the urchins OF the
establishment great cedar bough was
hung from the roof, and called q mistletoe a
row Of little stockings adorned the msnue'
piece, while their respective owners were sleep
ing in an adjoining room, dreaming ola white
bearded old man, with laughing face, riding
over every houss-top on this night Of the year,
or stopping with ono leg In the chimney, before
he descends, to select his various gifu from
the adjacent kitchen the loud outlaws bespoke
tho hilArity Of the eupants-hilarity unal-
loved by grave thought-fOr the blacks" Of
this house were like all others Of their ape
cies-they thought Of life only as e tremendous
joke, and were rosdy 10 laugh at every thing.
Each had already received his or hor holiday
present, which wss usually now pair Of COW.
hide shoe to every ono, mAlo in tho summer,
and hung up 10 season until Christmas gay
calico frocks and aprons TO the wonchos and
warm garments to the men Of a fashion and
cut, which had no doubt boon imported into
the country by lIendrick Hudson or some Of his
crew. And, we'll might the good Santa Claus,
CT any other saint, have looked in upon this
home, and smlod satisfactorily Well might
he have reported, in fomo higher sphere, that
ne had soon perfect happiness on Garth, did ho
rot espie dark insecurity broodng over all
With a sFord suspended by a hair Aud tho
.tars looked just a. brightly down from Heaven,
"a they bad, centuries bsiore, looked upon
do shepherds to whom it wa, announced, this
Prince Of Peace wss born. 1t was night whom
% spirit might stir abro,d--no spirit but rebh'
lien and discomfort. II al not their neighboi
iodine, but few weeks ago, gone to roit, Sftel
an evenings ffulic with his children, and awak
| sued TO find his house in flames, and two OF hi
Iailings suiFI sa,oi Did not Lllorsc's barr
and sheds alio take FRO AMI were not his horse
and cattle driven Oh Tor saio keeping, and move
found thor way b,ck TO thor lawful owner
And 80 Boss Vacdoryoort had seen, with indig
nation, tho frequent incursions OF tho llesiiani
ard tho Gov Boys upoa his own premiso', walk
irg al with his poultry, marching into his out
houses, helping thonsolyes TO Whstoyer tho
choose, and putting hi afdi;h.od da'kies &
hieht In thoso old timos too, man though
more Of his home. ThorO wore, thon, no ciu's
no PLACES Of amusement, no late hours; but tn
family cilclo WAS tn, centre e joy and gaieiy
To persons Of such simple tastes any outrage or a,
tack upon ,hoir quotno5l has peculiar bitterness
lie had borne with insult and dapro1s'ion lon
rough; and a. all slow minds, whom arrive
at conviction hold it fast IA a principle, h
had do erminod to ioqye his house and lands
HE GOOD wiie's management, and enrol hirso
With that little army that had risen up TO d.
fend whatever was 10 them most dear-wheth
It were poultry or property, lit,, liberty or Il
pursuit Of happino's.
To BE- continued