Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-12-23
MiscELLAnEoUs.
MY CHRISTMAS HoMR-ooMINc
BY GABRIELLE LEE.
[From Peterson,s aiagazipel


From Peterson's Magazine.l
Sss s the train dashed along, that was taking
| ss metomy home, the home from which had
been absent for so many years, | took out
again and re>read my mothers letter, which /
had received on landing at New York.
nSolthou art in truth coming home. nv
Wilhelm" she wrote, in the fashion of her
father>lnnd-fnr though had been born in
New England, and though my father had
come of good old Puritan stock, my mother
was native of Germauy-"nnd thy mothers
heart throbs with happy anticipation. I pic
ture thee, after thy long absence in Ghins, as
no longer lad, as thou vert when thou wen.
away. but q tall man, Ike thy father, brown
with the sun yet with curly locks that so often
have twined over my fingers as thou stood
at thy mothers knee.
81 will not speak much to thee of home.
thou wilt be with US shortly feel and
| then Thy third cousin, Margretta, is
well. and often speaks of thee. Her land. as
thou knowes.,. is next to ours trulysjoined il
wonld make fair estate-wouid itSnot mine
Wilhelm? As for the orphan, Hilda, she
paints like an angel /; she is busy about mat
terthat she keeps within her bosom methinks
that it is thy, picture she makes for my Christ.
mns nieasure."
heart; where was the shame that my ewes
were drippine2 But yet smiled, as ever I
did, at the thought of Hilda. Have you not
kent one thonght in your heart, sweet, sacred,
never spoken, save in prayers, tha. touched
your life with purity, and that kent afar in
flnences that might degrade and MARI This
had been with me the thought of Tlilda. [
remembered when she had come to our home
On Christmasseve, before the lamps were lit,
while the red fire-ligh. shone warm, and the
"snow>twiight" closed in, my father enter
ing, set the figure of a little one upon the vel-
vet rug before the wide CRATE. that leaped aud
glowed with welcome. hIethought this had
been the Christ child, for the little one was
lily fair, with the print of summer rose on
each cheek also the lips were sweetly smil-
/ ing, and set upon the long, shining hair was
a crystal crown that sparkled in the fre>lisht
The child drew me none had DONE [
ran to her. "Stay with US always" cried I.
Eyes, Wilhelm." said my father. "This is,
o little sister Iihave brought home to thee;
she has no home so she shall he one with u.s."
took the hand of the little one, and saw
she was human child like myself; and that
which I had esteemed crystal crown was a
diadem of snow flakes that had lighted upon
/ her shining nsir, and that now, melted by the
warmth, had changed to dew>spangles spark
/ ling in the fire>light.
l shared my gifts, my com6ts, my toys my
books, with the little one !; she went to sleep
on my shoulder. This was Hilda.
Yet now did my mother speak to me of Mar
gretta Had she not mentioned her as o
third cousin, that might see she were not too
near for a wife? Had she not spoken of the
lands that were next to ours. to remind me of
| my fathers latest wish Well, we'll, [ hsd
| heart that could dare all things-so let the
matter rest!
The train stopped. The numbering stages
coach rolled over the snowy road, on either
side of which rose the hills. white as brides
in their wintry robes. Surely Twas home at
last! Dusk was darkenine into night, and,
| quietly as of its shadows, stole through
the back porch for I was fsin to be the sur
| prise of all surprises upon this Christmas-eve.
| The hall was long aud wide. The walls were
| frame. carved quaintly-the portrait of a lady.
had shruuk from it always, for the face was
] of one with strong will, and weak iutel-
( lect: a naughty spirit, and heart of ice. II
chilled me now hanging there. To the right
! of me was my mothers '.flewer-foom It
faced the south, and within it had always
stood porcelain pots, full OF scented blossoms,
| orange and lemon trees, the winter long it
/ bottled New England chiils. and was the sun.
nIest spot in my memory of home.
| / walked softly to the door of the room.-
] Hist What vision was this1 Surely an
angel, for the vision was clad in diapbonous
drapery upon its shoulders cleaned silver
wings; upon its head glimmered star-the
star of Bethlehem! In its hand was little
pink taper, such as lights the Christma.>tree,
and it fitted about the flowers, plucking what
I pleased it best. Was it the angel of home
Yes, surely the home-aneel; for it vas the
face knew so vell-the face that came to me
! on the sea- in the night>watches.
Thedight from the taper fell upon me. the
vision darted forward. the lovely eyes held me
a moment. then the tender mouth, smiling,
i cried.
cit is. it isl"
The household Aocked about me on the In
stant. I was brought into the ..best room y
which was garlanded with long fsstoous of
! greenery. and cleaned with holly>berries, lit
by.ali waxen candles, whose scenes hung with
crystal prisms, tinkled fairy welcome.