The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1869-12-23
10 r7gf rflFr0p Harper's Bazar.
A CHRISTMAS POEM.
BY PHGBE GARY.

That wasia bitter winter, .'. .-.
When Jenny was four years old, !
And lived In a lonely tarm-house-
Bitters and long, and cold 5i-.
The crops had been a failure-[spare;
NJ IN the barns there was room to
And Jenny's Woodworking father
- Was full of anxious care. T'
Neither his wife nor children in
NJ Knew lack of fire or bread;
They had whatever was necdful.
We're sheltered and clothed and fed.
But the mother was ailing- I'D
twas struggle just to live ;[words,
And they scarce had even hopeful
Or cheerful words to give. ,ger.
A good, kind man was the father,
lie loved his giIls and boys;
But he whose hands are his riches 81,
Has little for gifts and toys. HH
So when it drew near the season
That makes thuwOrld SO glad-[gifts,
When Jenny knew twas the time for
Her childish heart was sad, j y.
..,5 ...,. .-, e,. tent
For she thought, 81 shall get no pres
|, When Christmas comes, ! am sure;'
| All the poor mans child learns early
just whatAit means to bepoor.
Yet still on the holy even bright
As she sat by the hearth. stone
And her sister told good stories,
Her heart grew almost light.
For the hopeful skies ofchildhood
Are never quite o'ercast: [hOw
And she said, "Who knows but some
Something will come at last"
So before she went to her pillow,
Her pretty stockingswere tied .
Safely together, and slyly hung,
Close tolthe chimney side. w aE
Therewaslittlc roomforhoping[years /;
One would say who had lived more
4 Yet the faith of the child is wiser
Sometimes than our doubts and fears
Jenny had aigood little sister,
l. Very big to her childish eyes,
| Who was womanly sweet and patient,
And kind as she was wise.
| .orIEiI G4 .l.u'G Gmas,
And she had thought of this Christ
j And eli;tle it could bring,lstroyed
Ever since the crops Were half de-
By the treshot in the spring.
SO the sweetest nuts of the Autumn
She had safely hidden away;
]. And the ripest and redGest apples
! Hoarded for manyla day. n4..t.I
And last she mixed some seed-cakes
| Wenny was sleeping then) 1mu
| And moulded them grotesquely, Z.
] Like birds and beasts and men.
4 -niina .l ".'.-li .i'..''.' tings,
Then she slipped them into the stock
| And smiled toithipk about aB
Tho joyful wonder of her pet, tout.
| When she found and poured them
| 'HIul'7HJ l' .if"i .rS bm morning
And You couldn't have seen next
/ "A gladder child in the land ----
| Thau that humble farmers daughter,
| With her simple gifts in her hand.
And the loving sisterp ah! you know
/ How blessed It's to give;
I And they who think ofothers most
| AFc +he Aappiest foil Ks that-liye :.
- - - * sA - g. ~ -fdren,
She had done what she could my chill
| To brighten that Chlistmas-day;
And whether her heart or Jenny's
Was the lighteSt, tits hard to say
I And this, ifyou have but little, 60 *'
1 Is what / would say to you;
I Make all you can of that little M
| DO all the good you can do. .r.'l
And though your gifts may be humble
i let holitt!e cliiGd ! pray, ...'. =.
7 Find only an empty stocking 81. b.
J. On tho morn Of the Christmas-day I!
IT'S years and ye9rssince that sister
Went to dwell with the Just; '.i. .
And oyer her body the roses v,
| Blossom and turn to dust.
AtAaJeRaiysfa happy woman, ~ j.
| With wealth enough to spare;
+ ApdEeyeryeyear her lap is filled n
y Withprescnts fine and rare. .J 4
i But,whenever she thanks the givers rF
For fayors great and small, .n 2NHHi
She. thinks OF the good little sister
J Who gave her more than all, t..
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