The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-12-25

NAN EasbANel aAAA WAAohGA lAul
key-holes and chimneys, wild with mirtl
at the coming Of Christmas; and old Jol
Darlings small house, in a remote stree
ol the great city, seemed especially honor
ed by the hobgOblins, who shook thl
windows till they ratified again.
A great tire WIS buring and the break
last table was set and old Joe rubbed his
hands in front Of the bla2e aud looked
out OF the window, when voice behinC
him, with rush Of laughter In It, anC
sounding like silver bells, exclaimed:
"Christmas.giIt, father, dear PVl
caught you p
Old Joe turned round. Ashe did so, 4
pair of rosy lips pressed his cheek, and
two arms chung round his neck, belonging
TO q little fairy oil seventeen.
why you look. like sunbeam, Daisy
he said.
And indeed the face resembled one, 50
brilliant was the light Of the eyes Daisy
was small, with neal, cosy figure, in q
plain but pretty dress; and you saw ut a
glance that this was one OF those little,
nimble.fngered fairies who arc tho bless,
ings ofthe homes in which they rule.
Her father smiled, and lOndly passed
his hand over her hair. AS he gazed at
her, he thought VI his wellnigh penniless
condition, and heaved sigh,
"POOr little lady-bird have nothing
for you p he said, signing again
But Daisy did not seem to regard the
circumstances at all depressing. On the
contrary, her lacG glowed, and, turning
her bright head toward one side, she
I've got Il Christmas'giit for yOu, father
dear"
"H@yo your Now, you've gone and
worked your little fingers 10 the bone.
It's u craVat, Or"
mo, indeed, I've done nothing of the
is not your present"
The rush OF joyous laughter in the girls
voice nearly drowned her words, She
leemed bursting to reveal some secret
Their talk was interrupted, however, by
Inc appearance Of Mother Darling ind
ler flock, with old Uncle John, looking
wise and scCrGtiv0.
Daisy had procured, somewhere, the
landsOmGst Christmas tree imaginable-a
)ushy cedar, full Of light blue berries;
md, having returned from church, width.
,r she went dutilully with the rest, she
proceeded, with tho MD Of Uncle John,
Ter prime friend and iavoritc, to deck the
tree, with It's BRILLIANT Orna.
nenls. AS evening drew on 1t was finish.
ID, and erected on the sidebOaFd-its
paper baskets, and presents, md IaperB,
making II magical spectacle TO tho
'Oung Darlings,' who gazed ut IL with
,pen.eyed wonder.
Then the Christmas dinner appeared,
md rivited all eyes. The grCat roast tur.
Iey, md round Of beef, and thanking side
fishes, aroused wild enthusiasm In the
'Oung Oncs-Old Joe dGvOully said grace
and the youthful members of the Oar
ing family, chirping like flock of birds,
,alled each others attention 10 the splCn.
lid banquet
All sat down. Old Joe looked round.
"'rhGrGs one seat too many" lie said.
IL set II there, brother" snid Uncle
John, TRANQUILITY.
"FOr whom, brother? Have you ia.
,ited some iriend2'
mo, brother, thought Of our Ed
nund."
The old boOk.keopGr looked wistlully
It his brother, and then went and held
Dut his hand to him.
"Thank you, brother" he said, in low
'Oice, returning to his scat.
When the first pang had passed, II
eGmGd n satisfaction to old Joe to gaze
It the vacant chair, and to think oil his
on rs present and enjoying their happi!
less. And when at Inst the desert came,
md tho wine was poured out, tho old man
oOkGd toward tho vacant chair rs lie
aised the glass to his lips.
Suddenly the voice Of Daisy rang out,
lall chokCd with laughter: V
why, VIC arc forgetting our treop
he cried; 1--WE are really losing sight Of
'ur tree, uncle dear. Did anybody
,ver l." ...'
And, not waiting for "anybody" 10 re.
Wy, Daisy started up, and, assisted by
lncle John, bore the magical cedar in its
Ieat box, covered with evergreGns, to the
entire Of the table.
Night had come now, and the tapers
N the tree were lit. AS the fairy SpcCta.
lie OF many ColorGd baskets, candy corn.
lcOpias, and presents Of needle.work, and
looks, md garlands, flashed forth in tho
light of the tapers-As this splendid
christmas tree. burst forth on the eyes Of
1.-THE young darlings uttered sup
'ressed cheer, and "Pet," in Curls and
lnaf0re, made a reckless and desperate
tempt to climb upon the board and
AIRY the prize at the point Of his baby
pooh.
mo, Petp cried Daisy, "wnit till sis.
pr gives you yours But first, Uncle
ohm IL going to tell q beautiful story
vii you listen, father dear, and mother?
Is lovelyp \
The rush of laughter in the voice made
II look at DAISY. Why did the child's
heeks flush 80, and why that dazzling |
ght in her eyesH
But now Uncle John rivCtcd every.
ody's attention. For the moment he
1as the centre Of excited interest for tho |
,hole Darling family. He seemed to feel
he responsibility resting upon him. lie
effected for a mOment-smiled dreamily: |
on the table-and then begin
1.-THE tale 1 am going to relate, my dear
Dung friends said Uncle John, IL must
rst Inform you, Is strictly true in every |
articular. II was written down by the
ling of the CENT, and then caught up In
le beak Of a great bird called roc-and
ie Prince Camaralzaman, having been
on a desert island where the
ird came to feed, killed the roc, and the
DRY has been in the palace Of Bagdad,
here the prince lived, ever since"
At this commencement, the young Oar.
ngs exhibited an astounded interest. AS
, Pet, his excitement was beyodd the
over of words. His eyes resembled two
Iucers---hls mouth opened TO its utmost
in the excess Of lis attention,
9 very nearly swallowed his baby spoon.
10 one looked at Daisy. With one hand
iading her eyes from the light, and the
Their placed upon her breast, she looked