The Plymouth weekly Democrat., 1868-12-24
SeIefted MisfeIlany.
THE GOLDEN CHRISTMAS.TREE.
BY MRS. A. NJ. DIAZ.

BY MRS. A. NJ DIAZ-
From Our Young Folks for January.
"NOw," SAID Katie-"nOw that the
grown-up people are away, we children
may hope for little quiet. All sit along
in row, and will tell you the Story of the
Golden Christmas Tree, that happened
long time ago. 1t begins with two old
folks, and they were poor, and lived in
house that had but one door. Now don't
MAKE faces. mean one outside door. Ii
any Of you talk or giggle, or snap knuckles,
or roll up your eyes, or pull hair, or PINCH
or tickle, shall stop telling. But chew
ing gum is no matter.
"And they had daughter who was a
beauty. Just as white as wax work, and
had golden hair, and was quite tall, but
not very tail. Her eyes were as blue as a
wax dolls, and her lips as red, and she
was slim and slender, with a sweet little
foot that stepped light as a feather.
And they had one more child, but he
was boy, and his name was Valentine
but not pretty boy-a homelY boy, and
his place was always in the ba ck corner
For they loved their daughter best, and
sold all their eggs and geese feathers to
buy earrings for her ears, and necklaces
for her neck, and silver rings for her
fingers, and ribbons to tie in her golden
hair. But the boy had to wear very old
things.
And for the girl it was o sweet angel 7
90 my lovely oner % pretty darling!
with kisses for her cheeks and for her lily
white hands. But for him it was 0 you
stupid ? You naughty one! You never
do rightp And while she leaned against
the wall, like a picture, with her pretty
hands folded, and fine dress, he scrubbed
the floor, and washed the platters, with his
old clothes, and the tears in his eyes
For he very often wept because no.
body cared for him, and longed for some
one to come and take him by the hand, and
say som ething kind. And one evening
dreamed that the hut was suddenly filled
with bright light, and that beautiful
lady, all in white, bent over him and ssid
very kind words But the dream passed
away, and when he awoke the hut Vfas
dark, and he all alone in the cold-all bu
his dog, his good old shaggy dog, Flo
Valentine loved Fido, and used to lay nj
head on the dogs neck and tell him all hi
troubles; and Fido would look up so sor
ryful, and lick his masters face, lust as j
he knew.
"There was nobody else for the boy t.
tell his troubles to, unless it was the on
that gave him the dog, Jolly Tom; and h
was no relation, not the least, but Onl,
skipper of little sloop. And Valentine
used to watch for his white sells, cominj
over the sea- For Jolly Tom always wen
whistling along, and often would call out
Ha, Valentinep How are you, Valen
tine 2 In merry way, and once brough
him home quite a large jews-harp, an,
taught him to play tune. And the nam
of the tune was Whistling Winds An,
when Valentine felt very sad, he would g
to his back corner, or away under tree
and play up tune, while Fido would 81
by and wag his tail to the music.
"But one night wicked Deddler stol
the dog away, which made Valentine fee
so badly that it seemed as if he could nc
work at all. but only thiLk of Fido an
mourn for Fido all day long.
This made the two old folks angry
and more cross to him than ever befor,
And one night they scolded him, AMI sale
%, if you would but keep out Of ou
sight, Away with your
Then the boy walked long way off
the sea shore, where the sea was moaning
and there he lay down on the sands, an
listened to the moan of the sea. Darkne'
was coming on, and it was a very gloom
night. Clouds covered up the sta-' an
there was quite chilly blast win
On the shore, near by. were vessels
anchor. He could hear the tapping {
the sails and the shouts of the men,
Pretty soon some sailors, hurryin
along, stumbled over him, and one sal
Pray, what's this thing?
y, some land lubberp = cried anothe
Then he spoke out and said i al
Valentine. Do you belong to one of IL
ships? Shall you soon set sail Is IL
Captain among you?
"Then tall man stepped forward al
said, 1 am the Captain, what do yC
wish?'
valentine asked him If he would iii