The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-12-28
Christmas Carols.

IT was Christmas eve all over the world.
Ina Thousand homes loving hearts, happy
or sad, were filled with thoughts OF Kind
ncss and sympathy. and love. Busy hands
were. weaving offerings for the morrow, anu
husy feet were fastening homc"ard to
cheerful, waiting tire-ides. in pleasant
homestead young girl Of sixteen was
busiy engaged in adding the finishing
touches to some dainty bit OF workmanship
She formed pretty picture herseii, Us she
sat c,lrled up in the deep wlndoW-slii, where
the freight. Frightening IN the twlllght,
flashed its warm color over her shining han
and delicate cheek. Her soft dark eyes
sbone with sl,bjucd but earnest light, and
the 1.-the figure managed tie dainty mate
rial of her work with graceful anu dell |
manipulatiou attractive 10 the bcholder.
The beholier WAS IL grsly-laircd man, who
occurred Tie great armchair III the WINDOW
corner of the Fireplace, and who leaned
upou his cane and watched the pretty maid
et-fair young RoSalnond-at her work, and
SIN lie to think how like she was to another
Rosa onl lie Lad 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
scud along your side unbeiinownst, as Biddy
saws. Pm 80 afraid papa will steal a march
pretty. Isn't it beauty? Won't he be
pleased with il! Come now, glandie, dear,
don't}ook 50 solemn and owliSh. It's Christmas
eve. VIVA! are you thinking of so dceply?'
The o., nan looked up and smiled.
al was thinking, Rosie, Of how good and
how pleasant it is to have Christmas come,
md TO have one day in all tie year on which
there is go much goodwill. was thinking
how all these loyc-giits that we make to each
other, and all the kind feelings we have to-
ware! one another, go to form II precious love
gift to the Lord OF Christmas. Indeed, the
.peacc OH earth and goodwill to man that
prevails Oh Christmas day IS the Glory to
God Ill the Highest" /
"Timt'S beautiful, Grandir, DEAR en-
claimed the young gill. ats a genuine
Christmas carol | always did say that my
glundpa's 1rrsidc lectures We're sermon and
lynl all in one. Oh. dcarie me, here comes
plln up the steps with his arms full of bum
dies. Let me rum" And gathering up her
work RoSlnond went from the room.
At the same hour that Rosamond's papa
assembled the steps OF his beautiful home,
another father entered tic door of an humble
cottage not far distant. lie bore no Christ
mas bundles in his arms. Ills eyes were sad
and his manner detected. Before the cheer
full fire, whose ruddy blaze lit up the small,
low room, n young girl was kneelinS while
she toasted slices Of bread for the evening
meal.
"It's Christmas eve, pspa," she said, with
lively nod of welcome. "Stoop down
and give me good, sweet, cool kiss; this fire
is toasting my checks as we'll us the slices.
Mamma is putting bud to bed. He went
sound asleep on the rug and ucouldnf wake
up. Tea is all ready. / wish Harry was
here"
Maybe it was the cheerful fircwarnlth, or
maybe the bright young face and CHEEKY tones
OF the Httlc daughter, that wrought the
charm onij know that the sad eyes bright
ened 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
for tea, and the cloth and cups aud saucers
and plates were sleckless and shining, and
laid with scrupulous nicely. The teapot
siinmered on the hearth, and within smooth
oval Of hot ashes lay the lnealiy Drown-jack-
cts that We're TO form the evening meal. Tho
mother entered the room and greeted her
husband with smile. At the same moment
boyish voice was heard nj the door, and q
pair of stamping feet on the doorstep kept
time to sort of rude melody that the boys
voice sang to the words:
Snow II Is winter, and | an discomfort,
My coat IS somewhat like M ugly rent,
Aid AL the snow from of the top of the house
Game gown into my m-squsli-ker-eousc."
"HarY Mintmn, you noisy youngster,"
exclaimed the girl gayly, Us she splang to
open the door, s Why, where have you been :
You're covered with snow -
81 should say so,' said tie boy, shaking
himself.
"namc Hinkly's old slant roof ayalanchcd
Just as popped under the eaves-hence my
costchstp,e, ] don't care. It's Christmas
eve, and rye earned fifty cents carrying
bundles, and haze got two jobs for to-mor-
row. Well have Christmas supper II we
don't have plun-pudding and turkey din.
ner."
"S-sh," interrupted his sister. SECT of
your cost and come to tea. We've elegant
roast potatoes and toast"
Somehow the brave, CHEEKY boy, and the
equally bright and brave sister, made the
homely room seem almost radiant, and the
sad-eyed father and patient mother sat down
to the frugal meal with Christmas carol of
tlankfulness in their hearts for the peace that
was theirs in the gift Of their nobie.hearted
children. True, they were poor and in sore
trouble, but the trouble came not nigh them
In the same manner that 1t had come to some
OF their i,eighbors. They had not migrate
full, rebellious children to wiring their hearts
with anguish. And they chose to praise God
for the blessings He had given them rather
than to repine for what He bad denied them.
owe must lose the cottage, Mildred" Dir
Minturn said to his wife when alone with
her, but we must not lose eus trust in Geo.
Let us sing hymn Of praise. Our home will
DO sold next week, but we can celebrate our