The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-01-22

by MRS. FRANK SMITH.


the three boys. gathered in a knot before
the blazing fire, were recountiny the last
years gifts of the good Christ-kindcheh,aud
innocently wandering what they would re-
ceive this year.
81 know what I would like!" exclaimed
Paul, earnestly clasping his little hands, 81:
but the dear Christ .kindchen will find ms
worthy Of it--a book of fairy tales, filed
with beautiful colored pictures, like the one
we saw in the booksellers window"
"And l." said Uermann, "can think OF
nothing | would like SO well as a rocking:
horse, very little larger than that Of on,
! neighbours son Heinr,ch down in the third
story "a a, ..s.a4At allL
"As for me-" lisped little PERT, II would
choose basket of sugar plums, wrapped it
golden and silver paper, and" 02.H@
"Oh, have it!' joyfully interrupted
Hermann. Let US write the dear Christ
kindchcn letter, asking for these very
giftsr' ..r..-... ua..-1
"Papa, papa, - and the children sprans
to his sidc-"will you te go kind as to
write a little letter for us?" .' ''.''>'@-..@
"And to whom, my little men," asked
the father. looking up in smiling surprise.
"To Christ kindchcn, papa We will tell
you what to say ,.
And Bernhard prepared to write, at his
boys dictation: s7slo
Dear, Good Christ-kindcAen,--pc,
pleas, bring us rocking horse, look or
fairy tales with lovely pictures, and basket
of sugar -plums this Christmas; and do
not forget, dear, dear Christ -hindchen, tha;
we live in room No. 20, fifth story, Of House
No. $40, Linden Street. .,.s, ..,,.-
Your
PAUL, HERMANN AND LITTLE PERTH
When the letter was written, neatly fold
cd and addressed ''.ro Christ kindchen.''
the boys persuaded Bernhard to open his
window, and cast it far out OF, the roof,
confident that those heavenly eyes would
look down and see it, all in good time
That night there arose n great storm Of
wind and snow, and the little white messen-
ger was lifted up and borne oyer. the high
roofs Of more than one street to the splen.
did Government Square, where it rested at
last on the ledge of one of the upper case
mcnts of the palace Of the Grand Duke
Long after the next mornings sun had
risen over the snow covered city, a blue
eyed lady stood at this easement: and,
looking out on the bright winter picture,
behind the tiny letter where it had lodged
wthout-th address, "To Christ kind
chem" in full view Hastily summoning
her maid, the Countess Victoire directed
the window to be opened, and the folded
paper handed to her. She lost no time it
reading it.
"Dear children ~ and, as the fair lady
finished the little petition, tears stood in
her beautiful eyes, "God has guided their
simple words to me, perhaps that l ma!
take the place of their dear Christ-kind-
chen.!' ."A
Chritmas- day dawned brightly ON the
little group of eager .expectants; aud, as
Bernhard and Erningarde watched their
happy faces and listened to their impatient
longlngs for night to come--this night,
when, as the children firmly believed,
Christ kindehen would answer their letter
with the so desired gitts-the fond parents
had very often to turn away to conceal
their emotion. Alas their slender purse
would not allow them the luxury Of pro-
curing these little presents for their child
rem,
After their early DINNER, in preparing
which Ermi1garde had exerted al! her skill,
besides sSpenaing the best part of her last
tlorin in Christmas cake, to which Bern
hard and the boys did full justice, the dear
little woman prepared them all for walk
in the brilliant Christmas streets, trusting
that the children would become absorbed in
the gay scenes without, and so forget their
expected visit from Christ kindchcn With
this hope she and Bernhard permitted them
to lnger at pleasure before the beautifully
arranged show windows, and before the lot
terry booths, where Bernhard was tempted
to risk few kreutzers for his little people,
and won, to their delight, col onet Of the
most delicious b0n-I0ns.
When night came on, and the lamps be-
gan to twinkle along the crowded street,
the little party found themselves at some
distance from the Linden Strasse, wherc-
upon the careful mother prevailed upon
them to turn their footsteps homeward.--
But now, to her sorrow, the chldren's
thoughts again reverted to Christ, kindclen
and the expected gifts. . s,.3
ave will find them waiting US; .aicAt
SO, liebe mutter-aicht so, .lieber papa?'
was the question Of each little heart.
Impatence lent wings to their feet, aud
springing through the great door opening
attic home, the thrl c boys reached the mar
~" AuNauSS " tutlE
weary, heavy hearted parents.
A joyous shout from the boys, and a
food Of light falling in waves over the
winding stairway, now startled Bernhard
and Ermingarde. Hastily mounting to the
side Of their children what sight met
their eyes! The door leading into their
little home was wide open, and in the CEN
tire of the tidy room rose a beautiful CHRIST
MAs.TgEE-a tapering, dark green tir--in
whose graceful branches blaZed innumcr.
able waXen tapers, between which hung the
loveiest toys that ever were seen, golden
and silver covered fruits, nuts and sugar
plums; on little round table beneath Law,
three prettily bound books, and near by
stood fine rocking horse, just as if he
wore awaiting a rider. sy9ug g'as&
Let the curtain fall on the transports of
the children, the bewildernent of the pa.
rents, their gratitude to the generous un-
known, as they watched their darling BOYS
around the radiant table. There were hap
py, glowing hearts in the little attic homo
that Christmas night. #.....t a-..r . T.,,.
The next day two letters were brought to
Bernhard. The first announced to him
that the volume of poems submitted BY him
to the court booksellers few weeks before,
had been received, accepted, andwould ''be
published at the earliest possible day.
Good news but the other letter, which
bore government seal, raised the l,cppi.
ness Of the little family toa height still
greater. 1t was Bernhard's appointment to
an office under the Grand Duke, the duties
OF which were little more than nominal, but
whose salary would at once place his family