Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1871-12-21
CHRISTMAS CAROLS.
BY MARY E. c. wYETH.

IT was Christmas Eve all over the
world. In thousand homes loving
hearts, happy or sad, were filled with
thoughts of kindness, and sympathy, and
love, Busy hands were weaving offer
ings for the morrow, and busy feet were
fastening homeward to cheerful, waiting
firesides. In a pleasant homestead
young girl of sixteen was busily engaged
in adding the finishing touches to some
dainty bit of workmanship. She formed
a pretty picture herself, as she sat curled
up in the deep window sill, where the
fire-light, Frightening in the twilight,
flashed its warm color over her shining
hair and delicate cheek. Her soft, dark
eyes shone with the subdued but earnest
light, and the 1.-THE figure managed the
dainty material of her work with grace
ful deft manipulation attractive to the be-
holder. The behoider was a gray-haired
man, who occupied the great armchair in
the window corner of the fireplace, and
who leaned upon his cane and watched
the pretty maiden, fair young Rosamond,
at her work, and smiled to think how like
she was another Rosamond he had known,
and loved, and buried, in the years so
long gone by.
Keep good watch, Grandpa" said the
fresh young voice. "Don't let anybody
send along your side unbeknownst,' as
Biddy says. Pm SO afraid papa will steal
a march on me. wouldn't have him see
this for good deal. Isn't it beauty |?
Won't he be pleased with it? Come now,
Grandie, dear, don't look so solemn and
owlish. It's Christmas Eve. What are
you thinking of SO deeply %
The old man looked up and smiled.
was thinking, Rosie, of how good
and how pleasant it is to have Christmas
come, and to have one day in all the year
on which there is much good will l was
thinking how all these love gifts that we
make to each other, and all the kind feel
lngs we have toward one another, go to
form precious love-gift to the Lord of
Christmas. Indeed, the speace on earth
and good will to man. that prevails on
Christmas Day IS the Glory to God in
the Highest y
/" That's beautiful, Grandie, DEAR" ex-
Christmas Carol | always did say that
my Grandpa's fireside lectures were SER
mon and hymn all in one. Oh, dearie
me, here comes papa up the steps, with
his arms full of bundles. Let me run. :"
And gathering up her work Rosamond
went from the room.
AT the same hour that Rosamonds papa
assembled the steps of his beautiful home,
another father entered the door of an
humble cottage not far distant He bore
no Christmas bundles in his arms His
eyes were sad and his manner detected.
before the cheerful fire, whose ruddy
blaze Lit up the small, low room, young
girl was kneeling while she toasted slices
OF bread for the evening meal
It's Christmas Eve, Papa" she said,
with lively nod of welcome. sStoop
down and give me a good, sweet, cool
KISS this fire is toasting my cheeks as
well as the slices. Mamma is putting Bud
to bed. He went sound asleep on the rug
and aoou177s't wake up. Tea is all ready
wish Harry was here.
May be, it was the cheerful fire-warmth,
or maybe the bright young face and
CHEEKY tones of the little daughter that
wrought the charm-I only know that the
sad eyes frightened to fond smile as the
father looked lovingly into the upturned
face of his child. The room was cosy
and comfortable, although the furniture
was plain and the adornments of the
simplest kind. The table was spread fol
tea, and the cloth, and cups and saucers,
and plates, were speekless and shining,
and laid with scrupulous nicely The
teapot simmered on the hearth, and with.
In smooth oval of hot ashes lay the
mealy brown jackets that were to form
the evening meal. The mother entered
the room and greeted her husband with a
smile. At the same moment boyish
voice was heard at the door, and pair OF
stamping feet on the doorstep kept time
to sort of rude melody that the boys
voice sang to the words:
Now it is winter, and am discomfort,
My coat is somewhat like an ugly rent,
ana all the snow from off the top of the house
Came down into my bosom-sqush- ker-souse''
Harry Minturn, you noisy youngster,'
exclaimed the girl, gayly, as she sprans
to open the door, why, where have yol
been You're covered with snow r'
Il should say So" said the boy, shakin,
himself.
''Dame Hincklys old slant roof ava
lanched just as | popped under the cave
hence my costchunae. l don't care It
Christmas Eve, and I've earned fifty cent
carrying bundles, and have got two job
for tomorrow. Well have Christina
supper, if we don't have -puddin
and turkey dinner
ssSh-sh, interrupted his sister. "Ge
off your coat and come to tea. We've ele
CANT roast potatoes and toast"
Somehow the brave, CHEEKY boy, an
the equally bright and brave sister, mad
the hOmely room seem almost radiant
and the sad-eyed father and patient moth
er sat down to the frugal meal with
Christmas carol of thanlfulness in thei
hearts for the peace that was theirs in tn
gift of their noble-hearted children True
they were poor and in sore trouble, bu
the trouble camesnot nigh them in tn
same manner that it had come to some o
N1,nr l,aI L.