Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-12-25
THE CROSS UPON THE THRESHOLD.
a Beam from tie Star Of Bethlehem.
Story Of Little WaRderer.

Glides tiny, child.like form;
Weary, wandering, without shelter,
Lost in cold, and night, and storm.
whence art thou, poor little stranger,
Through thenight and through the storm2
Far outside, the wide plain stretches,
And beyond are hills of snow;
High above, the black sky low'ring,
And the river frowns below.
Whittier, whittier, in the midnight,
Little lone one wouldst thou go2i
But she hears not, and the snowdriit
browns the voice that bids her stay;
And, afar along the pathway
Speed those little feet away.
Hurrying whittier? Blessed Saviour
Speed those little feet awayl
Feet and hands are cracked and bleeding,
Feet, and hands, and head are bare,
And the frozen sleet, like jewels,
Clusters in her golden hair;
Iattered garments lutter round her,
Battling with the bitter air.
Ali how shrinks the cow'ring infant,
AS the fierce gust chills her through;
Feebly dies her voice of wailing,
For her lips are stiff and blue,
And the tears cling to her eyelids,
Frozen there in icy dew.
Onward through the gathering darkness,
Still she totters in her flight;
Weary, lonely, like a Pleiad
Wandering in the outer night
Is there no one? Is there no one,
Keeping for her warmth and lightg
Hal there CLEANS athwart the corner
Ruddy glow from happy homes,
And sweet, merry, childish laughter,
Ringing on the bleak wind comes;
For to night they sport all hopeful,
With the Christmas elves and gnomes.
Happy childrenl Happy parentsl
Blest the roof that shields you here
Tender fatherl Gentle motherl
Loving sisterl Brother deari
Not frown to mar your pleasure,
Every joy and comfort nearl
Christmas-evei the freight dances
On the pictured parlor wall,
And apart In cozy chambers,
Gifts are ranged for one and all;
While, below, the blazing kitchen
Sends its cheer through court and hall.
And, there, cleaning past the curtain,
See the glittering Christmas-tree
Hung with golden fruits and trinkets
For the fun that is to bel
o, the candles o, the treasuresi
On that glorious Christmas tree!
Then, the tables spread for feasting,
Pies, and cakes, and comfits piled
Rosy apples, nuts, and raisins,
Grapes whereon the Tropic smiled,
Heaped together-what an Eden,
For that homeless, starving child
Now, look on her, where she crouches,
Close beside the friendly door,
While she counts the dancing footsteps
As they clatter DER the floor;
They are singing Christmas carols,
Singing till their hearts brim o'erl
And she watches through the window,
Little faces like her own,
Beaming with celestial pleasure
Glossy ringlets backward thrown;
AS the father clasps his darlings,
Z l..
Flowry wreathes that deck the mantel,
Frame this picture, as she peers,
Holly twined with buds and roses,
Types of happy by-gone years
For her, too, they wove gay garlands,
In the happy by-gone yearsl
o, dear iather-O, sweet mother,
| Where are you who loved me so2
And her little heart outbursting
Walls aloud its wordless woe;
For alasl they sleep together,
This wild night, beneath the snow.
Tapl upon the heavy easement,
Tap her hands would make sign,
I
All these joys, they once were minci
Here die of cold and hungcr-n
Heeds her but the Ear Divine!
Now, the curtain drawn more closely,
And the splendor fading too,
Drowsy bells in hidden steeples
Toll the heavy midnight through;
All is hushed save distant revel,
And the Storm Kings noisy crewl
Now, the bride dreams of her bridegroom,
And the bridegroom, too, his blest;
Now, the mother hugs her bantling
Where it nestles on her breast,
Age and childhood both are happy
5 In that heavenly Christmas rest.
But no home receives the lone one
And no mothers fond address
Smoothes her pillow in the snowdrif,
And no fathers hand may bless
That lost fledgling on the doorstep,
Yielding there to Deaths Caressl
0 Lol behold sudden gloryl
Listl soft music in the airl
q And she rises radiant, lovely,
a Clasps her hands and kneels in prayer
i. Seel an infant form resplendcnt
Standing right before her there
On its head, a crown of starlight
Shedding lustre o'er its facel
Heavenly mildness every feature;
All its bearing sweetest grace;
White robes, pure and bright as silver,
Lighting up that gloomy placel