The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1870-12-29


what the Seasons wass and IpFomlsed
if they would beopatient and slumber
yet awhile longer, that l would return
and awaken them in the spring.
Sand l." cried an elf, who seemed
to- brim over with -frolic and mischief
as "a f1ower-cup with dew, &c have
been tickling the noses and pulling
the wigs of the rich men who sent no
turkeys to the poor. !" What, gnats
so late in the season!" cried one, and
gave his ear great slap, while an
other said, "PheWi it is indeed
singing coldw - .- s 5l i-alse.. ~ ~
sand l.. said a fifth, "haKe been
distributing the dreams. To the sad,
sweet ones to the sick, peaceful ones
bright and frolicsome ones to all the
children. And to good boys and girls
/ gave the dream OF Christmas. "'f.iaS'a
:, F.And I have, visited all. the poor =
Whispered another, "and trimmed
their dull fires and put SUI gar, in their
cups, and above. their doors a leaf of
the plant. called {. Hope.1 Have /
done WELL. o my Father ?.u $50, - !
g All haveidone WELL" said. Father
Christmas. g And now the, clock
Sbl1hCS I'LL II Z luuSl STU AupOA Jul
journey Harness the reindeer, my
elves, and make all ready; but first
this dear child must be safely set npT
on her homeward way. ,s.r-< ,.,se r
The fays, bnstled about her, brightly.
Fifty-four OF them brought each a raj
sin from, the scattered parcel Others
hunted for the basket, while. a fatigue
party. of eight carefully relied the big
red apple into it. Myriads more pur-
sued and found the umbrella, which
had stuck fast in a furze. bush. Faith
er Christmas gave his blessing; and
aided and helped, she knew not how,
by a million tiny fingers, she found
herself again on the top of the bank
whence she had fallen, her basket on
b her arm, and the big umbrella: ella in her
hand. -.
The wind had died away, and the
moon shone clear. Lightly she trip
ped down the path and ratified at the
latch Of the cottage. Poor Dame Ur-
sula had passed a wretchedS evening
listening to the. rain, fearing all sorts
of evils for Ellie, and weeping for the
helplessness which kept her from go
ing to her aid. She had just fallen
into troubled sleep when in danced
Ellie, with cheeks like roses, and eyes
bright with happy excitement, She
threw herself into her grandmother's
70 g o gran idmother!" she cried, 1 have
such things to tell thee! Such a won.
derfril 'storyp '-[- '.l.''ls -. .'l;.. -, /.
And granny listened to the tale with
utter .bewildermelit. OF only. one
thing She felt sure, she had her dar-
ling safe at home again, That was
enough to Complete her wishes. : -il.5, -'.' = !,
1t was too late rthe Christmas,
tree, but they had it next day. The
/ first thing in the morning Ellie looked
at the pane. Yes, there was the fir.
bough,a the fairy favor, drawn in line.
of silvery frost. And at noon came
the pastors wife. She bore in hel
arms doll. Her little daughter hat
sent it, she said. There. was, a picture
book, too. Ellie, laughed with glee.-
She had seen them both before. Latel
in the day their neighbor, the farmer
wife, who did so much for them, mad'
-" have brought you a goose
q ~ Il 1lOIJc IL Is d SOOt
ores And these stockings are IN,
own knittingos Don't he discouraged
about your fall, Its a long lane tina
has no turning, you know, and sool
you will be up again" 80 - ri -
Ellie Kissed the kind hand tina
brought these good things. In he
heart she knew that they were not he
gift only, but the gift Of Christmas.
1 And that evening, when the spruce
bough twfnkled with its tapers, an,
the raisins and nuts hung beneatl
i them, when the fire 1blazed its cheer
| lest, and grandmother in her nek
stockings was, raised little in bee
that she might see the savory COOS
kissing and 7bubbIing in the pan, Eli
crept iawayI into the corner of tn
kitchen and patted the big umbrell
=" If you hadn't run away with me,
she said, "T should never have see
it all.Yao9 e3iTo7G2 81 Ea7s TyTt