Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-01-06

Il
turned from church, whittier she went dutifully
with the rest, she proceeded, with the aid OF
Uncle John, her prime friend and favorite, to
deck the wondrous tree with It's oriiliant orns
ments. AS evening drew on ii was finished, and
erected on the sideboard-its paper baskets aud
presents, and tapers, making ii a magical spec
taele to the young DaTlings, who gazed at it
with open-eyed wonder.
Then the Christmas dinner appeared, and ri
veted all eyes. The great roast turkey, AMI the !
round OF beef, and aanking dishes, aroused |
voutly said grace-and the youthful members of |
the Darling family. chirping like flock OF birds,
called each others attention to the splendid |
banquet.
Ali sat down. Old Joe looked round.
There's one seat too many he said
" get it there, brother" said Uptle John,
TRANQUILITY.
For whom, brother Have YOU inviteisom
friend?"
" No, brother. thought of our Edmund"
The old book-keeper looked wistfully at his
brother, and then went and held out his hani to
"Thank You, brother" he said in a low voice,
returning to his seat.
When the 1 ,o o pang had passed seemed
chair, and to think of his son as present and en-
Joytng their happiness. And when at last the
dessert came, and the wine was poured out, the
old man looked toward the vacant chair as he
raised the glass TO his lips.
Suddenly the voice of Daisy rang out, half
Clicked with laughter:
.
tive are really losing sight Of our tree, uucls
dear. Did any body ever.-"
And, not waiting for "anvbody" to reply
Daisy started up, and, assisted by Uncle John,
bore the mas gical cedar in its neat box, covered
with evergreens, to the center of the table.
Night had come now, and the tapers on the
trees were lit As the fairy spectacle OF many.
cOlored baskets, candy cornicepias ami presents
of Reedle-wOrk, and books, and garlaads, flashed
forth IN the light ef the tapers-as this splendid
Christ Aas-tree burst forth on the ewes of al-tie
x tered SuDprpSepI a. MI
"Pet," in cuTls and pinafOre, made "A re ,kless
and desperate attempt to climb upon the board
and carry the prize at the point of his baby
No, Pet!" cried Daisy. "wait till sister gives
you yours! But first. Uncle John is going to tell
a beautiful story Will you listen, father dear,
and mother 1t is lovelv!"
The rush 81 laughter in the voice made all
look at Daisy. why did the childs cheeks flush
80. and why that dazzling light in her eyes?
But nov Uncle John suddenly riveted every
body's attention. For the moment he was in
the centre Of excited interest for the whole Oar
ling family. He seemed to feel the RESPONSE
bility resting upon him. He reelected for a mo-
ment-smiled dreamily; thrunImed on the table
and then began:
1.-The tale 1 am going to relate. nv dear Young
friends" said Uncle John, 81 must first inform
you, II strictly true in every particular. 1t was
written down by the King of the Genii ,snd then
caught up in the beak of great bird called a
rce-and the Prince Camara,Zaman, having
been shipwrecSed on a desert island where the
bird came to feed, killed the roe, and the story
has been in the palace of Bagdad, where the
prince HNeu, ever since.
AZ Ihis commencement, the youag Dtrlnys
exhibited an astOunded interest. As To Pet, his
excitement was beyond the power of words
lis eyes tesem6led Two saucersEfis mouth OPP
ened 10 Us utmost width-and in the excess OF
his attention. he very nearly sv allowed his ba-
by-spoon. No one looked at Daisy. With one
hand shading her eyes from tire light, and the
other placed upon her breast, she looked at Cn-
Gle John, or furtively toward her father.
Uncle John continued:
havlnS toid YOU, my dear en- dren, how the
story came To be known, will next proceed to
relate it for your entertainment:
mere once nveu IN tue city OF BaSisd an
90 merchant whose name vas Barilzlc, which,
ceing TRANSLATED, Il worthy min. He had
clerk named Abor- be- -dariing-not unlike the
name OF our own family-and for a long time
Abou-oen-dariing served the good merchant
barilZAc, whose caravans brought to Bagdsd all
dne treasures Oh the East But misfortune cane.
ne caravans were overwhelmed in the sands OF
the desert Inc moment was near when Bari-
FAC would PROBABLY be compelled to strew dust
upon ms head, and wander through the streets
Oh bagaad, crying, Barilzac, the merchant, is
ruined
ms happened, continued Uncle -ChD,
lust before the great festiyity which comes
the weniy,hfth day OF the month of Shows.
Aeou- ben darling came home that day. thinking
great suffering OF his own-for all of us must
suffer. my children. His only son had been lost
at sea. and the heart OF Abou- ben-darling was
sad. He returned to hold the festiyity OF the
cedar-tree, but his heart felt heavy. 'Abou-
bend ring Is miserable = lie said, there is no
nan more miserableH
% As lie thus spoke, his daughter Paribanou
AZ preached him. The name ParbarOu, INV
children, signifies the Flower of the Daisy. She
came now to u-ben-dariing, and, kissing
INN In the Eastern manner, said: u father
dear q Abou-ben-darii0g. 10 not despair
Behold, the feast IL set, and the holy cedar tree
blazes; the tapers therein shine Ike stars, and
many gifts hang down from the bOughs of the
Wondrous tree
mere ret suddenly burst FORTH Why. it's
like our tree ~ he cried; only he left out the in
'tree'
Silence, Pet DO not interrupt" said Uncle
John. " continue: u-ben darling sighed
when ms daughter thus spoke
Truly, Flower OF the Daisy he sail thy
cedar-tree shines; but my heart Is dark, and
there Is no gut tneieon ior me-,
There Is a gift for our father said Pari-
banou, or Flower OF the Daisy; and, she
81 Oke, there was curious, hidden laughter in
her voice. There is gift that father will
value more than all elsa package with his
name on il, from distant land"
They DID not lock at Daisy, who was trem-
bling, and whose hand scarce possessed strength
TO draw letter from her bosom.
Uncle John continued:
And Abou- darling said: What is this
m chi a tn iel, IN l.