Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-01-03
guetrg.
From scribne.'s Monthly.
The Orphans Christmas Tree.
Br BATAED TAYLOR.

An orphan boy, with weary feet,
On Christmas eve, alone, benighted.
Went through the town from street to street.
To sec the clustering candles lighted
In homes where happy children meet.
Before each house he stood, to mark
The pleasant rooms that shone so fairly
The tapers lighted, spark by spark,
Till all the trees were blazing rarely
And sad his heart was, in the dark,
lie wept: re clasped his hands and cried.
An, every child tonight rejOices;
Their Christmas presents all divide
Around their trees, with merry voice.
But Chri-tma Is to me denied.
once with my sister hand in hand.
At home, how did my tree delight nae
No other tapers shone SO grand;
But all forget me, none invite me.
Here, lonely, in the strangers land
s.WiI no one let me ia, 10 share
The light,-to take some corner nigh d.:
Ia all these houses can't they spare
4 spot where I may sit in quiet
: little seat among them there
viii not beg for gift or token;
only ask to see the sight
Aud hear the thanks of other- spoken.
and that viii be my own delight
He knocked at every door and gate,
He raped at wfndow-pane and shutter;
But no one heard and babe him wait,
Or came, the " Welcome inr, TO utter:
-T-hsf- car ryara rfrrIY n prrfor f4te
Zach father looked with eyes that smiled,
Upon bis happy children only.
Their gifts the mothers heart bcguiIcj
To think Of them none saw the lonely
Forgotten boy, the orphan child.
20 Christ-child, holy, kind and dear,
I have no father and no mother,
Nor friend save thee, to give me cheer.
BE thou my help, there + none other
since all forget me, wandering here ~
The poor boy rubbed his hands so blue,
His little hands, the frost made chilly;
His tattered clothes he closer drew,
And crouched within corner Silly,
And prayed, and knew not what TO do.
Then, suddenly, there shone light;
Another child, in garments white,
Spake as he came-and clearer dearer
His voice made music in the night
4" 1 am the Christ have thou no fear
was e child in my probation,
And children unto me are near
hear and heed thy duplication
Though all the rest forget thee here.
q Ny saving word to all bear,
And equally 10 each It's given;
bring the promise ofmy care
Here. in the street, beneath the heaven.
As well as in the chambers there.
And here, poor boy, thy Christmas tree
VIII adOrn, and so make glimmer
Through all this open space, for thee
That those within shall twinkle DINNER
For bright as thine they cannot bcn
The Christ-child with his shining hand
Then pointed up, and 10 the busters
That sparkled therei He saw it stand,
a tree, o'erhaDg with starry clusters
ON all its branches, wide and grand.
50 far and yet so near the night
Was blazing with the tapers' splendor
What was the orphan boys delight,
How beat his bosom warm and tender
To see his Christmas tree so bright
It seemed 70 him q happy dream
Then, from the starry branches bending.
The angels stopped, and through the CLEAN
They l1ei him % peace UnenlIBE,
They folded him in love supreme.
The orphan child IS now st rest.
No fathers care he needs, nor mothe. --
Upon the Christ-child = holy breast.
All that is here bestowed on others
He there forgets, where all is best.