The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1868-01-18
STORY.
from the Baltin ore Episcopal Methodist. ]
BROTHER HENRY'S
Christmas Story.

1t was Christmas Eve You would have
known it by tho fresh odor of the evcrgrcens
and the air of pleasant mystery and expecta-
ton which surrounded you as soon as you en-
tered the house. The ruddy glow of the bright
fire in the parlor cleaned on tho happy group
which encircled it, and glanced off to light up
6tfully the wrcathcs and festoons of Christmas
greens, bright with scarlet berries, which udorn-
cd the walls.
The. young people had just Completed thoir
work of decoration, and had gathered around
the fire for pleasant Christmas talk in the
cheerful glow. Kntics the youngest aud pet,
nestled, Of course, in brother Henry's arms,
and the four boys had chosen what they oon-
sidered splendid places two on the arms of his
chair, and the others on the rug at sister Lii
lies feet, where their faces glowcd in the heat
az we'll rs the light of the fire. 4 merry talk
tlcy were having, with many wondcrings what
Kriss Kiuglc would bring tonight, and many
.spcculations from tho younger ones how he
would be able to accomplish tho difficult feat of
climbing the roof with his reindeer stecds in
such slippery weather. "It will be rloric"s
Christmas ...." ".t7 that brother Henry wSs como
homc," said Fred, II tell you what boys" con-
tinucd he, with very wise shnke of his head,
"you don't remember the lots of fun he used to
make, as | do.' Brother Henry smiled and
sister Lille slipped her hand lovingly into his
MS she enforced Frcd's words, but the freight
was not bright enough to show two happy little
tears, which she smiled away where they stood,
for it would never have done to let them fall
ON Christmas Evc; while the children, includ-
ing little Katie, all Indignantly exclaimed at
Fred's supposing they did not remember before
brother Henry went away, though there had
only been three Christmasscs between. An
."- talk commenced then about those various
Christmas days, brotnsi- Henry leading 'hem
on by interesting questions, or funny speeches,
till Herbert said "Don't you remember, Fred,
those birds we found almost frozen to death in
the snow ON Christmas day two years ago ?"
t'Ycs, indeed, Henry, you don't know how mis-
cradle they looked, they couldn't even hop
about and mother said we might bring them
into the stable and feed them till spring"
"And I had birdie, too, brother narry,'
cried Katie. "Ycs," said Fred, with patron
izing look towards little Kate "there was one
so badly frozen that it was always lame, and
wo lot Katie keep that in basket for pet,
but it died long before spring came"
1.-TWO years ago." said brothor Henry, with
grayer look then ho had yet had, "why, l
found poor little birdio almost frozen in the
snow chat very Christmas Eve" ''You did,
Oh brother, how funny, "tcll us about it,
whore was it?" cried the children, for they
saw from their brothers iaoe that it was not
just some poor little robin he had picked up in
the snow. Sister Lille looked up with quick
smile. She had heard the tale before, but she
joined the children in begging for it now. "It
is such nice Christmas story, Harry do tell
them" "Vory we'll, then, youngsters" said
he, "on condition you don't interrupt me more
than five times in sentence, and then not
moro than FIVE shall speak at once" The
children ill laughingly, agreed, and settled
themselves as costly as possible in their warm
nesting places, brother Henry began;
ait was Christi Eve, as have told you
in Germany
"Oh, I'm glad it was in Germany" cried
Charley, "Christmas is 30 nice there !"
"Hush Charley, can't you keep quiet p
said Herbert and Fred both ut once, with an
admonitory push while Katie ftom her perch
on brother Hcurys knee set up allittle warn