River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-12-26
Christmas Pictures.
BY THE REV. J. |. ROSWELL.


old arm chair this December evening,
by table heaping iull of Christmas
books and toys. A good-sized hickory
log IS swapping and blazing on the
hearthstone, tossing a shower of sparks
and a roaring sheet of fame up the
huge chimney. Very easy to forget the
cold wind without, and the binding
snow. flakes.
Hark dull, rumbling noise, faint
at first, then louder and yet louder
What can ii be? Down the chimney
with rush, and on the floor with a
bound, drops huge fur-clad, rosy
faced, white-haired gentleman; old to
be sure, yet jolly.
"Why, Santa Claus, how are you
Never have seen you before, but know
you by your pictures. Be seated" He
laughed q ringing laugh which made
the walls echo, but said nothing. He
knocked the ashes out of his pipe, and
then advancing gave a blow. intended
to show his cordially, but trife too
emphatic to be pleaeant.
Really, Santa Claus, this is rather
an intrusion. Every mans house is
his castle, and the unbidden guest is
rarely welcome.
"All right, he said, with knowing
nod, "my business is to visit care
worn people, and make them as merry
hearted as little children, during the
bright Christmas season."
Then-would you believe it 2-then
he gave the candle sudden puff, and
ont it went. The room was Lit only by
the glazing light from the burning
wood upon the fireplace.
"Look !" cried Santa Claus. Lo he
had thrown upon the wall a picture.
beautiful beyond the dream of the
greatest artist. Another, and another,
and another--ard gazed in rapture,
sometimes laughing, sometimes weep
ing, filed with strange emotions. SO
life-like were the colors and the fig
ures sometimes moved and spoke.
A little bedroom; in it q mammoth
crib, where two curly-headed children
were sleeping sweetly. The light is
burning dim, and by it you can see a
slowly-moving figure-Santa Claus
himself. See him as he seizes child's
stocking by the mantlepiece, and
crowds into it--don't wake, dear chill
dren---a top, ball, package of bon
bons, drum, Noah's ark, and ever so
many other things besides. Wonder
tul how much a child's stocking will
hold on Christmas eve Wait till
morning comes, and you will hear
shout of triumph from pair of little
Threats.
Then, grandly furnished parlor,
none too good for such a family to
~ ,n.sa Cd, A l. r.
lily, and in numbers equal to the old
fashioned pattern. The tree, which
reaches from floor to ceiling, is in all
its glory, with its silver belle and rows
of ornamental popcorn, while its
branches hang with such curious fruit
as books and boxes, startling toys and
candies OF all colors. "Never was such
a tree, never l''~-that was the family
verdict. What q clapping OF hands
what shout of joy-even baby joining
in-and what an impromptu dance
around the tree on the part of the
younger members Of the flock.
How quickly did the picture fade
then change into another. How full
OF contrasts is this strange, eventful
life OF ours Only step from smiles
to tears--from mlrth to sadness. Asick
room, and on the couch was pale
faced girl, about eight years of age.
Very sick she seemed. Father and
mother were bending over the little one
tenderly, brushing away the gather
ing tears. A little boy was trying to
push his way to get view of his dear
sister.
Smother, Is this Christmas morn.
ing n asked the sick child.
Yes, dear, was the reply.
"Oh, am so glad that / have lived
to see it. II tells me that Jesus was
once a child. He loves the children.
for he blessed them and shall 90
and see him il die, Shall not. dear
mother2n
eyes, yes, dear child"
" Draw aside the curtain and let the
light enter"
II was done but brighter light
than that Of day came streaming
through the window--a holy, peaeefni
heavenly Highland bore on its beams
faint sound like that Of mingled harms
and voices. it fell upon the child. and
another household light faded, as fades
the morning star in the light Of heaven.
Then ! saw u church filled with n
large congregation. The Gothic
walls aud pillars are trimmed with
many green wreath. The platform ia
filed with children who have lonped 10
see this day. At the signal, up thew
rise, and slug with voices which sweet
~ ring and echo one Of those old.time
carols, which are as full OF music "a
when first heard. 1T was good 70 see
those smiling faces and TO hear those
childish voices as they sung Of Him
who was once the "babe Of Bethle.
hem.