Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1868-01-25
From the BcIiimOrs Southern Home Journal.
JACK FROST'S FROLIC.
By MRS. ANGELICA q. pipIER.

No sound broke the silence, save q rollicking
r.
The hilltops were wrea,hed in fealhery snow
And the valley in whiieness lay sleeping below.
The stars from the heavens proclaimed their glad
mirth,
By twinkling and sparkling and gemming the
earth;
Whilst the moon in her grandeur aud beauty
serene,
So calmly unconscious, illumined the scene.
Jack Frost young fellow uncommonly cool,
Determined this night to break shackle and rule,
By leaving The snow.drift (his ancestral honey
In search Of some fun on froic 10 roam.
His father, "Hoar Frost" he stoutly defed
Whilst his mother stood by and icicles cried.
But in vain were the tears and parental advice;
Jacks heart was as hard and cold as the ice;
With no word ofregret or even a sigh.
He frigidly whstlsd chilling "gcod .bye!"
Thro' fields and through forests he capered with
glee,
With spirits elated, rejoceG 10 be free;
His footsteps so light as be passd DER the snow,
No traces were left his pathway to show.
BY the side of the road the streamlet he sped,
He halted moment exclaimed "Wo-be-tde !"
Freezing words they wrought mos! magical
part,
For the gay laughing stream was child 10 the
heart.
Then DER her he threw with chucklo and
sneeze)
A mantle of ice, and so left her to freeze.
To farmhouse he hed at double quick
speed;
For Jack not forgetting the inner mans need,
Longed for the luxuries,,; he knew were there
stored
The tempting remains of tho late Christmas
board.
He had nothing that night his hunger to safe
Save some hard crusts Of snow and cold water
straight y
So as soon as he came-snce he needed revi-
VAL
He lost not moment Z announce his arrival.
He began at the gatc-which was open-to
slam it;
Then round the house play'd the Eolian gamut'
At the windows be quivered ; at the door, undis-
mayed,
He tried new key, in his wild serenade;
But, finding mild efforts 10 enter unheeded,
70 violent measures he forthwith proceeded.
He ga,her'd his strength, the fortress assailed !;
But, warmly resisted, he sigually failed.
| Again he essayed 10 batter the walls,
| But what could be do with only snow-balls
fhsh the as.,s " a. s..-s-4s..'a al =. Z -,
quished Jack,
Stole quietly through an unfortfed crack.
How grand was the sight on making his entry
To that world Of delight, the prodigal pantry.
There were sweets there and sours and game
hung on high,
And various drinks, from "Champa5ne" to"o!d
Rye"
He tried the substantials without knife or fork,
And tasted the wine, though he touched not a
cork
Each jolly old DemijOhn drawn on at sight,
Promptly honored Jacks drafts with spiri! that
night.
So he feasted his full and shiverng his glass,
He softly went out through the unguarded pass.
Now up to the window, where tie little cnes
slept,
Der the firm clinging ivy Jack frostiy crePt,
Climbing higher and higher, in spite of chill
blainS,
Nor ceased till he reached the children's do
mains.
HI peeped in the window uncurlaned and bare,
And gazed on three little ones slumbering there,
So carefully covered, so snug IN their beds,
That only were sen .heir dear little heals
Little heads dreaming OF their Juvenile joys,
OF good old "S,. Mic" with his seigh-full Of
toys,
o. The night when the stockings were hopefully
hung,
And bright Christmas morn (brigbtest morn for
the young)
When they found them brim-full, mid shouting
and din,
OF presents, and proofs Of how good they had
been.
Then the Christmas tree-gorgeous and blaz.
ing with light
Oh this was their greatest, their crowning de-
light!
How sweet was this picture OF innocent bliss
Could even Jack Frost look coldly on this'
Oh no; al the scene be was melting-but stay
Twill never do, Jack, to be running away.
So he froze up his tears, and sat at his ease,
And conn'd DER plan the children 10 please.
A happy thought struck him. be rose with a
shout
And brcke long iccle off from the spout;
"Some pictures I'll trace with my pencil Of ice
Grand views I'll portray Of frosty device -
Soon glitering glacier and snow. covered hill
Were sketched on the window, with true artists
skill;
And miniature forests with foliage of frost
Der erottoes OF ice with snow wreatts embos.