Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-12-25
FOR TO-DAY.
AureIin AinsIie's Christmas
Tree.

AureliR Atuslie's Christmas
Tree.
A black, bitter night, Christmas
Eve though it was-a nightto make
well clad people shiver beneath theil
furs aml broadclOth, and to make
the condition Of the freezing and
starving wretches who outnumbered
them, so much the more horrible
from the cruel anomaly Of their suf
ferings and the universal hope and
ioy commemoratcd in the birth OF
Christ.
A well-appointed chariot rolled
smootly over the frozen streets, its
burly coachman, although fulfilled
to the eyes and the tips of his fin
gers. grumhling Oaths at the caprice
which had kept him out all the after
noon, while the hair of the splcn
did black horses he drove stood
upright upon their usually glossy
hides, giving them n comical APP
pearance Of extreme terror.
The occupant of this carriage
was a lady past her youth, but not
vet middle-aged, with a face whose
beauty seemed not to have faded
but frozen, for the abundant dark
hair was unthreaded with silver, the
smooth skin was unmarried by a
single line, the oval of the cheek
was absolutely perfect, and needed
only color 10 make il beautiful. But
who could think of beauty in con
templating that white, cold face,
dumb and reticcnt as a marble
mask, and with eyes whose light
and color seemed crushed out be-
meath the heavy lashos habituaiiy
dropped beneath them?
Edith Blanchard a beauty! |
should as soon think Of calling
the Sphinx the belle of the ball
room" said Milly Flowers, the 9th
er night.
But Rhadamanthus, to whom she
said it, remembers Edith Blanchard
resplendent with such loyelincss as
Millv Flowers never dreamed of
The chariot smoothly rolled on,
and Miss Blanchard, leaning back
upon the cushions, looked hstlessly
out Of the window.
II am glad it is not bright
night" said she. softly; and lower
ing the glass, she breathed the chill,
creeping air with strange satisfac'
ton. With it comes the sound Of
child's voice, in terrified and weep
ing expostulation.
"Oh, don't; please don't.
didn't know it was any harm
won't do so again!
You bet high on that. See /
YOU don't git enough this time t
last spell. said a man 5 surly voic
in reply, and the other voice becam
inarticulate with sobs.
Miss Blanchard leaned forward anC
looked through the gathering dark
ness. a policeman was just passini
through one of the gates of tn
Common, leading by the wrist Iii
tie girl, and in his other han
holding a small Ratchet.
" Officer, | should like TO speak T.
you
Miss Blanchard never raised he
voice, but her clear, sonOrious tone
seldom remained disregarded. TIL
man started. turned and approache
the window.
What has that little girl done
why, ma'am, you'd hardly b
Iieve it, but as sure as | stand her
saw Ter chopping away at the tre'
and bushes in the burying grou
there. See, here's the very hatch
she'd brought a purpose. The Il
tie villain wait till she sees VIII
his Honor II give her to MORO
morning.
81 Come here, if you please.
The policeman approached st
nearer to the open window, and M
chanically received the bank 10
dropped into his hand.
Il do NOT think the child intend
any harm. You had better le
90 for this time. If there j.
Die about it, / will be respon
for her appearance. Ny addrc.
No. s. - street >
The policeman hesitated,
bank note pleasantly warmed
numb fingers. and at Christmas D
a man in authority should not
too severe, and-he touched his {
and moved on. sayingE
well, ma'am, I've no wish to
too hard upon the Girl, Of cour
and, as you say, she's but a eli
The rest Oft sentence was
in the heavy heard and muller
the speaker and Miss BIanch
listened no longer. She was sayil
\ "Nuw, little girl You had bc
! run home as fast Is you can, :
don't oct into mischief again. !
stay Why were You cutting
trees Was it for fuel =
." No ma am. | wanted a ChI
mas tree" sohbcd the child. pick
up the hatchct dropped by the
liccman.
"A Christmas tree, child, "
have NnU fo haUp anon = ,'' ~