The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-12-30
Written for the Pioneer.
ANGELS VISITS.
A Christmas Story for Little
People.
BY DILLON O'BRUN.

From the Daily Pioneer of the s5th-
"Hony and ivy!" "Holly and ivy "*
1t is Christmas eve, and all London re-
sounds with this cry. 1t is heard in the
squares of the marble palaces, where dwell
the rich ones Of the earth ! in the adjoin-
ing lanes, with their mouldering houses
and dark garrets, where huddle the poor.
"Holly and ivy! Holly and ivy!" It
enters my lady's boudoir, as she smiles
1pon her frst-born, picturing to herself
the many happy Ohristmases that she
fondly hopes await him; it falls sharply on
the ear of one of her wretched sisters, as
she bends over her famishing child, a
strange, jarring accompaniment to the lit
tie ones cry for food. "Holly and ivy!
Holly and ivy!" "Food! Food!"
The weather was cold and bleak enough
even for London Christmas eve. The
snow fell fast, in wet fakes, that melted
as they touched the ground; the cutters
on each side of the sidewalks seemed like
diminutive rivers, and feot passengers had
to splash through mud and water ankle
deep. "Holly and ivy! Holly andivy!" "
The CRY fell unheeded upon the ear of
Judge Percival, as he ISSUED from one Of
the entrances to the Temple, close to Tenn
pie Bar, and entered his carriage, which
had been some time waiting for him.
The footman banged the door to, and
away the Judge was whirled to bis resi-
dence in Cavendish Square; soon the car
riage stopped. the door opened and the
footman held out his arm, to support Judge
Percival, as he descended with dignifed
air, that even the weather could not alter
into plebeian hurry. Slowly he ascended
the steps leading to his hall door, when
Just as his foot touched the landing,
"presto," the door few open; it would
not do, that his lordship should remain one
unnecessary moment, suffering from the
disrespectful conduct of the snow fakes,
and listening to the contemptuous laugh
ter of the free wind, as it whirled past him.
The rich cannot command the elements,
it is true,-"and pity it's, tbs true"-but
they can do the next best thing, they can
avoid their insolence as much as possible !;
so, with his dignifed step, Judge Percival
entered his hall, and the hall porter banged
the door in the face of the insolent wind
and snow.
Just as he did so, the Judge felt his coat
gently pulled. he turned round, thinking
it was the paw of his spaniel Lufy that
touched him, but, could he believe his
eyes, it was not Lufy, but ragged, shrink
ing child, that met his astonished gaze.
"Please, SIR" said the child in soft
musical voice. "Please, sir, let me warm
myself somewhere" .- ...
The Judges face flushed with passion.
He seemed unable to speak. He looked
at the hall porter, who shrank thereat a
couple of inches into his we'll polished
pumps. AT length the Judge found his
voice:
Chow is this, sir he said, addressing
the porter SHOW is this?"
90 If you please, my lord, said the SER
want, 81 never perceived ii. l do not
know how ii got in.'
"Oh, please, sir" said the young voice
again, "let me warm myself"
The Judges passion was now 80
aroused that he forgot his dignity. "Ill
warm you," he exclaimed, "you young
vagabond; I'll warm you" And snatch
ing up cane he commenced to beat the
child
"Open the door, sir, he cried to the
servant. The man did so, and the Judge
giving parting blow to the little boy,
showed him out He fell heavily forward,
and rolled down the steps.
Judge Percival was startled for mo-
ment, lest he might have killed him or
broken some of bis bones, but he was re-
assured by the child saying,
"Oh, for Gods sake, for your own sake
let me in"
The Judge turned to bis servant:
'Go sir, at once for a policeman" he
said, "see that this young ruffian is locked
up for the night, and tomorrow will find
servant who shall keep my house free
from snch contamination.
Judge Percival assembled to his drawing
room. Some few distinguished people
went to dine with him this day; he felt
annoyed with himself, but doubly 80 with
"the young vagabond, and the servant,
who had witnessed his loss of dignity and
want of humanity, for he was in the habit
of reading in the papers about the human
In England. at Christmas, wreaths of holly and
ivy are hung round the rooms They sre soid
through the streets Of London on Christmas eve.