The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-12-25
/ CaRIsTmAs BALLAD.
By MARY A. DRsIsos.-


By MARY A. DRNIsoN.
" Dear Nelly; Come the night before,
On merry Christmas eve,
For we're to have a houseful,
A YOU eau well believe.
There's Cousin viii expected
From countries over the sea
What wonderful things HEN bring us
To put on the Christmas tree
." Mamma wrote 70 Grandpa Martin
For d well-grown pine or fir,
And he seid he would send a Martin box
Especially for her.
But he won't forget us children,
He never did at least;
i only wish he could be here
TO share in our Christmas feast.
" We are all 30 very busy
Getting our presents done,
You can't think what am making
OF all things under the sun-
1 mean for your special pleasure;
can tell you about the rest,
For Netty and Garry and Hatty
Are dong their very best.
4" I've made an embroidered apron,
And tatted lovely set.
W orked pair of elegant siippers,
And a collar aud cuffs for Net;
For papa yard-long watch chain
With beads of gold and black;
And pair of crimson wristers
And pretS blue neck-tie for Jack.
- You should see us girls together
After our lessons arc over,
Up in the old-thne nursery,
Busy az bees in clover;
Busy with needles as nailers,
Talking and laughing and humming,
Ana building such glorious castles
Against the time of your cOmming.
- There are so many aunts and cousins!
ANA the tree is 10 be 40 fne
And we always get something we wish for,
wonder what gifts will be mine?
I almost think j can guess, though,
For papa has measured the wall,
And perhaps u viii be piano;
want that the most OF all.
GO Don't laugh at my funny grammar;
You know it is Christmas time,
And when I'm so wild and happy
The sense runs away with the rhyme.
Netty longs for set of garnets,
And Het for watch and cham,
And Jack will be quite delighted
With dainty rosewood cane.
And Carry ia almost certain
or furs. a beautiful set.
I'm sure we ought 10 be thankful
For anything that we get,
SO on Christmas eve you must be here,
For our tree viii be loaded down,
And we loOi. for q glorious frohc
With cousins from city and town.
g wish eyery soul the world over
Could be happy at Christmas time;
So with kiss and good wishes
close my letter in rhyme.
2. S.-We have made up ten dollars
To send to Widow Brown
A poor sOul with three pretty children
Who lives far away down town"
The ere ia out, and tina ashes
Are cold AZ my heart il cold
+ hope my babies are dreaming
As Z stitch fold after fold
They talk Of the happy Christmas
Rear Christ, oh teach me to bear
The sad, sad lot OF the hopeless,
THAI ny eoul may not despair.
- Dear little Ned and Harryl
They wanted a ball and top;
| saw such pretty ones, mamma!
Said Ned. in the fancy shop
Wont you get us a tree for Christmas?
II les lust as small as can be,
AS snail az my little finger,
StiH you must get us a tree
&c Dear beart ! and 60 near ia the Christmas.
And tOl 30 hard for bread
And he who made holiday sunshine
Is lying low with the dead;
III search for the rich mans gleanings
The crumbs that fall hoedlegsly.
And I'll weave a lItle gay garland
And cell IL Christmas tree.
4" And I'll hang it fun of good Wishes
But Oh If had "A dol
For Bess, and top for Neddy,
And for Harry bright red ball
Alas FOR the tears are falling,
This work is too costly by far,
The fash Of bitter tear-drop
It's wOndrous sheen would mar.
." It's Cor limbs 20 daintily coveredl
Waile my poor babies weep
When the cold gets under their patches,
And smile only when they sleep
wish I could die tomorrow
And take my babies away.
We'd have such "A Christmas in heaven
SucA glorious Christmas day!
" But no; through the cold and hunger
We stIll must YEARLY plod,
We must think that others are happy,
And tgUst--if we can--ln GOD.
II We Cau-I am wicked to say it
A letter how strange there should be
In all this wide city creature
To write a letter to me
Dear Lord why here's money ten dollars!
Ten dolsrs for Christmas signed frie nd
Ten dOtlars Tor gifts Cor the babies
on. darlings ten dollars TO spend
AID Wen nave dinner for Christmas,
And shoee for the baby so wee:
AEG Goals for the fire, and bless them
For my dariings a Christmas tree.
'.Oh dear hearts 30 true and tender!
Wish yOu could see into mine,
And know that your sweet gift has kindied
love that is almost divine
wish could thank you yes, kneeliuq
Close 81 your very feet
And my little ones ali beside me
Their innocent thanks TO repeat
- You may wDilen cold ashes
For see in your midst fame
Kinded by some good Christian,
I wish but knew the nanle
You may cover the windows o frost king!
You may sleep, my babies, in peace,
For my he0rt rs az warm "a the sunshine,
And my faith has found release
From the cold, and the hate, and the terror,
Into the Blessed Light,
And wait with new, sweet longing
For the coming OF Christmas night"
Hearth ard Home.