The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-03-09

For the Daily Press. gai 9 .s5laa-
The Christmas Present.
BY JESSIE Campbell.

sT .
Mr.. and Mrs. Crofton, with their bright and
happy family, were among the first in making
arrangement for the great event which was to
give them SO much real pleasure, in the erecting
of large, beautiful Christmas tree'' in the
village hall, from which was to be dropping gifts
Of love and beauty. to surprise uneles, aunts,
cousine, and friends, rot forgetting the loved
ones at home. With what girlish delight the
wife selected one by one the precious tokens OF
her affection. knowing well what the fastidious
taste of her husband would appreciate, looking
them over and over, with smile of deep salts
faction, almost blushing with the certain convic-
ton, that she could not fail to please. Then
came the self Importance of keeping ones own
Secrets guessing at the wants Of each other, and
improving every moment during the absence of
each member of their little circle;-the father
and mother consulting quietly and cautiously
until every package was wrapped by itself and
bore the name Of its recipient, ready for suspen-
sion upon the waiting branches. d sau fs5 +
The children werein their mothers confidence,
in selecting gifts for their ather aud the parents
selected between them what would best surprise
and please their dear children, but all were in
ignorance about their mothers present but the
2 father, the children knowing that he had full
power to make her a present worth having, it
seemed like reaching teo far to advise with him,
who had the undoubled right to make his own
choice. They often wondered what it weuld be,
something very beautiful of course, but the
mother, half wondering herself, bade them be
quiet, as it would be time enough for her to
know when the rest did. But still, Unconscious
ly shesvould find herself asking, "What will it
be ?" q tof
Thelong wished for Christmas bells rung out
upon the clear evening air. like the rush of music
cheering the world with song, The presents
had all been conveyed to the hall as privately as
possible and consigned to the committee of ar
rangements- All were in readiness to leave for
ia the evenings entertainment but Mrs. Crofton,
who unfortunately with her home duties, and
what extra labor the occasion required, found
herself too i'll with fatigue to join them, and
while the merry party left the house, she sought
repose with light heart, thinking of the pre-
cious secrets hanging upon the tree, and the
happy results of the evening. She threw her
self upon the sofa, closing the weary eyes and
4 fell into sweet sleep. She was soon beside her
husband, among theexcited crowd, listening to
ordinations Of delight from the gay little ones,
and words of joy and surprise from the older
q class. The hours few by, when words of muir
mlring praise drew the attention of all to the
tree; suspended by q rose-coloTed ribbon was
pair Of .ngel's wings, SO white and pure, fecked
with golden tips, andaon an azure band in words
of silver was Mrs Ellen Croftpn.
Her husband reached forth his hand, and play
fully laid them upon her graceful shoulders,
saying, ''they are yours, Nellie.'' s'Oh, where
did you get themi and on purpose for me
and I've wanted them so long but then you
know cannot wear them here. / must leave
all that love, l fear, if put them on; and yet
SO often need them, there are 50 many difficult
places in life that these might render so easy %
The sound Of gay voices awakened her.
''Wake, mother, wake See how beautiful, just
what wanted; how could you guess so near 7
But, father. where is mothers present y "Oh,
yes, Allan, did you bring them / dreamed
about present so charming Where are my
wingsr .-asg5s,. f-o...
81 have rot got any, Ellen. To tell the truth,
everything was SO expensive, l got discouraged
when got the children's paid for, and knew you
would not care much. thank you very much
for mine, they are splendid" Slowly she raised
her hands to her eyes, forcing back the tell-tals
tears, and holding them there, until they fel
one by ore upon her aching heart, melting into
sghs;--all the while caressing the loved ones
with mothers own fondness, and feeling CRATE
ful for her husband thanks, these at least shs
would treasure, for too well had she learned that
by imparting happiness must hers be gained
What would she have given for one memento, i
ever SO trfing, if bathed in loves sunshine.
Husbands, remember Who is, or should be the
first recipient of your loving gifts Reserve
the brightest and the best for her whose life il
devoted to you and yours, and neuer cause hel
to wish for angels wings.