American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1865-12-23
For the American Citizen.I
A CHRISTMAS STORY.

at is too provoking After all tn
enjoyment | had promised myself, TO b
so much disappointed. I was sure tina
papa would take us to New Orleans t
purchase our Christmas presents. as h
used to do, and after we got back W,
should have a large party-I had set my
heart on that"
"Well, Margaret, mamma says We
shall have some Of our friends with US,
but she thinks whilst there is still SC
much sorrow and suffering in our coun'
try that is not proper to indulge in ex-
uavaganee and mirth."
THAT is true enough, I suppose. Kate,
and we have those hateful Yankees to
thank for all the misery we endure.
should like to know if wickedness de
serves punishment, why they don't come
to the end Of their chapter Of prosperity ?
| think it is time. l don't understand
why we are SO wretched, and they so
happy and successful in everything they
undertake. am afraid they are never
going to be punished for their crimes"
Why really, Mag, you have not as
much faith in God, as the old Romans
had in their deitics. Don't you remem-
Der what Caser says? THAT the immor.
tai Gods are accustomed to grant longer
prosperity to those whom they intend
to punish for their wickedness, in order
that they may be more afflicted by the
change" Those are not exactly the
words, but that is the idea. You women
always forget what you Learnt don't
see much use 10 educating women"
"Oh. Philip. for shame. Pray tell me
how you would get along without nam
ma. Whenever you have anything very
hard in Latin you know you come to her
for help. You shouldn't take airs, sir,
and talk in that contemptious way abou,
scomen It's my opinion that most wo.
men have more sense than men,"
"Oh yes, my sweet little sister, and a
leeie more Vanity too, but" Philip was
here interrupted by the entrance Of Mrs.
Travers; she, having heard the foregoing
conversation, from an adjoining apart
ment, now joined her children, and said,
IL am sorry, my dears, that you are dis.
appointed in your plans of amusement,
Under different circumstances your de.
sires should have been grati6ed. You
know that both your father and myself,
have hitherto endeavored 10 make this
season Of peace and good will from heav-
en- TO man, an occasion Of especial hap
piness TO those around us. and Christmas
has always been associated in your minds
with images Of pleasure. Nor do | in
tend that it shall be 9th erwise this year.
l have a pleasant surprise for you on
Christmas eve. But remember, whilst
ue have been peculiarly blest, how many
desolate homes, how many broken hearts,
how many beresved households there
are throughout the land and, that The
best way 10 show our gratitude TO God
for bis goodness to us. is to do all that
can to increase the happiness Of those
less best than ourselves.
You speak of the prosperity Of the
Northern people, as though, you con-
success and happiness synonymous.
That is a mistake. The successful bad
man is not happy. The sentiment you
expressed is founded in want Of faith in
Gods justice. Let me read from the
book bold in my hand, what a celebrat-
ID author says on the subject. 1--WE
IT'LL fall into the error Of which the
SO long ago complained. I'VE
all the proud happy" and the wicked
ortunate, and our hearts are too apt to
Use at their success. We pretend indeed
hat they rise with indignation; but is it not
o be feared that with this Indignation is
mixed a little envy, a little rebellion
lgaiOst Goo? Though God may be pa
lent with triumphant wckedness, he
Ices not wink or eOnnive at it. God has
lways the means Of punishment as well
s Of pardon in bis own hands. But to
unisb just at the momen when we
Tould hurl the bolt, might break in on a
sheme Of Providence Of vide extent and
ldefnite consequences. They have
runk their hemlOck," says q 6ue writer,
- Il