Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-12-22
CHRISTMAS CAROLS
BY MARY E. G. wYETH.

world. In n thousand homes loving
hearts, happy or sad, were filed 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 pleasant homestead a
young girl of sixteen was busily engaged
in adding the finishing touches to some
dainty bit of workmanship. She formed
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
full deft manipulation attractive to the be-
lrelder. The beholder was 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 7oice Don't let anybody
send along your side unbeknownst,' as
Biddy says. I'm so afraid papa will steal
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.
81 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 alqthe kind feel
ings we have toward one another, go tC
form precious love-gift to the Lord OF
Christmas. Indeed, the peace on earth
and good will to man that prevails OIL
Christmas Day Is the Glory to God in
the Highest
"Thats beautiful, Grandie, DEAR" ex
claimed the young girl. It's a genuine
Christmas Carol l always did say tha
my Grandpa's fireside lectures were ser
mon and hymn all in one. Oh, deari,
me, here comes papa up the steps, will
his arms full of bundles. Let me run.
And gathering up her work RosamonC
went from the room.
AT the same hour that RosamOnd's papt
assembled the steps of his beautiful home
another father entered the door of al
humble cottage not far distant. He bor
no Christmas bundles in his arms. Hi
eyes were sad and his manner detected
Before the cheerful fire, whose rudd,
blaze lit up the small, low room, a younj
girl was kneeling while she toasted slice
of bread for the evening meal.
" It's Christmas Eve, Papa" she said
with lively nod of welcome. Stool
down and give me q good, sweet, coz
kiss this fire is toasting my cheeks a
we'll as the slices. Mamma is putting Bu
to bed. He went sound asleep on the ru
and Wouldn't wake up. Tea is all ready
l wish Harry was here"
May be- it was the cheerful fre-warmtl
or maybe the bright young face an
CHEEKY tones of the little daughter tha
wrought the charm-I only know that tn
sad eyes frightened to fond smile as til
father looked lovingly into the upturne
face of his child. The room was cos
and comfortable, although the furnitur
was plain and the adornments of th
simplest kind The table was spread fC
tea, and the cloth, and cups and saucer'
and plates, were speckless and shining
and laid with scrupulous nicely. Til
teapot simmered on the hearth, and will
in smooth oval of hot ashes lay til
mealy brown jackets that were to forl
the evening meal. The mother entere
the room and greeted her husband with
smile. AT the same moment a boyis
voice was heard at the door, and pair {
stamping feet on the doorstep kept tim
to sort of rude melody that the boy
voice sang to the words:
Now it is winter, and I am discomfort,
My coat is somewhat like an ugly rent,
And all the snow from of the top OF the house
Came down into my bosom-sqush-ker-s
Harry Minturn, you noisy youngster
exclaimed the girl, gayly, as she spraI
been 4? You're covered with snow !"
81 should say So" said the boy, shakir
himself
"Dame Hinckly's old slant roof av
lanched just as popped under the cav
hence my coStchume. 1 don't care. II
Christmas Eve, and I've earned fifty cen
carrying bundles, and have got two joI
for tomorrow. Well have Chrlstm
supper, if we don't have plum-puddil
and turkey dinner"
"Sh-sh, " interrupted his sister &c
off your coat and come to tea. We've el
giant roast potatoes and toast"
Somehow the brave, CHEEKY boy, al
the equally bright and brave sister mat
the homely room seem almost radiau
and the sad-eyed father and patient mot
or sat down to the frugal meal with
Christmas carol of thankfulness in the
hearts for the peace that was theirs in u
gift of their noble-hearted children. Tru
they were poor and in sore trouble, b
the trouble came not nigh them in {
same manner that il had come to some
their neighbors. They had not ungrat
full, rebellious children to wiring the
hearts with anguish And they chose
praise God for the blessings lie had Civ
them, rather than to repine for what
had denied them.
"We must lose the cottage, Mildred
Mr.. Minturn said to his wife when alo
with her, but we must not lose our tTI