The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1873-12-25
Prom the Musical Echo.
A Christmas Carol.

hem to pay his taxes, and it is to be
hoped he did not have to shut bis eyes
aud grit lis teeth as | did when / paid
mine in the year 1873, of our blessed
Lord.
On that night child was born among
the cattle. and the angels opened the
door of Heaven and flooded the whole
Bethlehem Plain with music, what time
the shepards leaned upon their stats to
liste:, and the sheep kuelt down upon
their knees in alteration. And wise, long
bearded MaRi of the Orient came upon
bearing gifts with them, and fol-
lowing the star which never tarried until
it stood over the young child. And from
that Christmas to this Christmas, do
so iemnly believe. that on each recur-
renee of the birthday of our blessed Lord,
the angels open wide the doors of Heav-
en- and smile upon each young child, and
that some star still stands over each
young child to guide Santa Claus on his
beautiful Grand
And thus the first Christmas was ceie-
brated in that Bethlehem stable. one
thousand eight hundred and seventy
three years ago, and when it was over
the carpenter took his tax receipt, I'M
vexod by special assessments for lamp
posts, Nicholson pavements, plank side
walks. &c. aud went on his way rejoic-
ing.
IL seems TO me. further more, that /
hang up my stocking-that stocking
which all the rest of the year held only
q foot, terror TO shoemakers, and bunion
worthy its namesake, tho immortal tink-
err on the most beautiful day of the year.
Il comes set ike jewel in the very
heart of winter; when all nature is at
rest; when the days are shortest, and
the nights are darkest when every bird
is silent upon the hillside; when no leaf
is green bit the holly, and the ivy, and
wintergreeB when the weather is bleak
est without but cheeriest within; when
the storm through the STREETS and the
house-ires grows ruddiest on the hearths;
when the gayest sky is made bright by
Santa Claus, Kriss Kringle. and the
Christ-Kindchen and the Christmas
tide runs joyfully with wassail and taper
lighted tree, and cong and dance. Christ
mas is the day of all dsys-the best and
brightest of the year.
would like to be little child or an
old woman, it matters little which, to
really enjoy Christmas.
/ would like to have all the angels
which friction with the world has rubbed
off, aud TO thoroughly believe in the ex-
istence of that Laplander who drives his
team Of reindeer athwart the house tops,
tethers them to the ehimneys, and fills
up the small stocking on tho bed.posts /;
and to stand before a Christmas tree
under the firm conviction that there
never WAS anything so beautiful in the
L
old woman, to sit with ny feet to the
fire, in the arm chair, with my best cap
on, aad just one grey curl esca ping from
it--that identical curl which played the
deuce with equity, rheumatic. splenetic,
dear old John Anderson, in the arm
chair opposite. half century ago, when
We were the pride of the whole country
side; with not a single wrinkle on my
smooth face, With my silk gown on,
which will stand alone with my flock of
children, and grown children, and great
grandchildren trooping abou; me; with
blessed memories ola long and well-spent
life; with tender recollections of eighty
Christmas, dead and under the snow,
whose ghosts fit by me in the ashes !;
with the beautiful pleasure of extending
my hands over the young heads and
blessing them, as the Lord Christ
stretches his hands ip benediciion over
the earth each Christmas, and confers
upon it tue gift of his grace.
If there is sad spot in all the earth,
on Christmas morning, it must be the
house where there are no children oyer
which no star stops; in which there is
no small stocking to be filled; in which
no juvenile concerts will be celebrated
The giving of gifts is one of the most
blessed privileges of the day. Blessed.
too, on that day. is the bachelor uncle
or brother, who can confer gifts upon the
little ones, and thrice blessed the good
sister of the neighborhood, who makes
glad so many little hearts. If there is a
wretched person On earth, it must be the
man who can't or won't make a Christ
mas gift.
And in all our Christmas giving, let US
remember this: That under many roofs
no Christmas tree will blaze, and on
many hearths the ashes will be gray and
cold 4; that in many homes the voice of
the angel, proclaiming the Bethlehem
messenger, Peace on earth and good
will to men," will be silenced by the wolf
at the door; that many little feet will be
cold upon tho pavement, wandering
about 10 quest of food that many little
eyes will peer into the windows and won
der at the strange sights and sounds :;
that poverty, hunger and despair will be
the c.nly visitants at many fre-sides in
this christian ianda Of ours. filed with
feasting and plenty. Let us therefore in
all our givings remember that the abodes
OF poverty are doubly dear to us on this
day of all the year. Let us cheer them
with our bounty. and vivify them with
words of joy and hope. Let us make
our stars stand over their heads. Let us
remember the poor. for the first Christ
mas was celebrated in stable among the
cattle. and the Christ-child was born in
a manager. for the carpenter and his wife,
who came down to pay taxes, were very
poor.
My carol would not be closed without
my Christmas wishes. And, therefore.
merry Christmas to all gentle people,
and a kinffinu a,,f Of oil anp,,.;on -.