The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1867-12-27
Then sighed the maiden, and a

three days since | have seen him,
though he hath not been out of the
village. There are maidens more beau
tiful, father, than 1, and richer by far.
Mans heart is changeable thing, and
perhaps my love is forgotten 0eI
Then paced the old man backward
and forward, while dark grew his brow,
and the feeling of wrath was upon him.
At last he lifted his hand and said:
"Never shall Mic holas-"
Suddenly paused the old man, and
his hand fell down on the table-while
the matron looked over her glasses, and
opened her mouth as astonished, while
the maiden rose from her chair fixed
like statue-the dog covered in. the
corner, and the cat crept under the
dresser, while the clock ceased its tick
ing and held up its hands in amaze
ment. But the cricket kept up its chirp-
ing, and sang louder and louder;
brighter grew the fire, and the brands
cracked and snapped, as giving a vel
come, while the flame and the smoke
rose higher and higher, and wresthed
together Enthusiastically.
The door stood open and there on
the piled snow, was sleigh carved
from an oak of the forest Coursers
were there with stately horns, that re-
sembled the reindeers Of Lsplaud.
They paved the snow with their hoofs,
and scattered it high in the heavens !;
icicles hung from their antlers, and
their backs were covered with snow
flakes; they were fastened to the sleigh
with links cut from the ice bergs, and
their saddles were carved out Of ebony,
inlaid with hailstones; their reins were
of crystsIized mOonbeam. The sleigh
was filled with presents of all kinds
toys for the children, and candies and
books in profusion. Then from out
the sleigh there arose Being of joyial
appearance. He winked to his steeds,
and then entered the cottage. His
face was the face Of the moon as seen
through the mist of October, his eyes
were the stars of night and bis mouth
was made for feasting and drinking;
his hair was white as the snow, and
his beard like the hoar-frost; his looks
were quizicsI, and jollity shone in each
feature; he was short in stature, though
broad girtb, while his walk was roll
and caper; his coat was the skin of
the polar bear, and hung around his
body; alas, ere the morning, it would
be black with the SCOT of the chimneys;
leather breeches adorned his limbs, and
fitted his person eractty, moccasins
covered his feet and he bore in his hand
a three-cvrnered hat, and in the other
a fagon of home-brewed. Closing the
door, he sat down in chair and placed
the flagon beside him; not word did
he say, but taking mug from the Ia
bic, he filled it, and handed the same
to the old man. Trembling, he. drank,
but when he had finished he smack ed
his lips, and vowed it was good as the
best--even that which his old wife had
made him.
Loudly old Santa Claus laughed,
(for it was he,) till he shook ''like
bowl full of jelly" Then he sung an
old song, till the rafters resounded, and
the old man joined in the chorus:
both back and side go bare, go bare,
Both foot and hand go c)ld-
But on Christmau give US good ale enough,
Whether it be new or DID,"
At last Santa Claus rose, but no
word did he speak, as be pointed TO the
fagon; and there, as if in mirror,
they saw the inside of cottage, and
heard the music of voices-young men
and maidens were gathered together,
and linked hand in hand in the dance.
But Mary saw notin the group the one
she so longed to behold, and her heart
grew light as she gazed. Slowly the
picture faded from sight, and now they
looked on another and heard the faint
murmer of bells.
Rapidly over the frozen ground came
a party in sleighs; and as each passed
along, the light of the moon shone up
on them. Mary's heart beat faster and
faster; many among them she knew,
but nowhere saw she her lover. Slowly
the picture faded from sight; and row
they looked on another, and heard
mems voices in anger.
In the village inn, in the bar-room,
we're grouped together party of men,
drinking and gaming. Mary hid her
face in her hands, for her woman's
heart dared not look on the picture.
But she thought of her lover, and his
goodness and kindness unto her; and
she knew he could not be among them;
and she gazed with a calm heart and
clear eye on the semblance before her,
but no shade of her lover was there.
Slowly the picture faded from sight,
and now they looked on another, and
heard the faint chirp Of cricket.
Twas chamber, alone and desert
sd-on light and no fire gave warmth
@ the picture, and Mary knew twas the
Dom of her lover. Impressed was the
bed, and the curtains were drawn at ;
he window, and shut was the chest
md tue clothes-press. But he was not
N tha ,.hambeY Slowly the Dictura