The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1874-12-23
MISCELLANY.
A CHRISTMAS STONY.

1t was Christmas eve. 1T had taken tue
Earth the entire day to array herself for the
coming festivities and now, as the last fin
isling touch had been added and she had moth
ing to do but fold her hands and look pretty,
she found her party dress very cold, and shiv-
cred again and again as the needless Night
Wind went whistling by, leaving all the doors
open. Earth was very beautiful this eve in
her soft white drapery, and her jewels flashed
and sparkled in the light with rare brlliaucy;
her faded brown locks were powdered DER,
and crystal daisies thrust therein, and a cloud
of misty lace was thrown around her, which
added greatly to her attire. Winter, the
great artist, had designed and furnished this
toilette, faultless in every respect Had his
work ended here it would have been well but
when he beheld how charming Earth was in
her regal dress, lie fell down before her and
worshipped even what he had created and
Earth, pleased with his adulation, steeled her
heart against every one else, and promised her
hand to him in marriage, her whole soul, like
many other maiden's captivated with antci-
pations Of the beautiful clothes with which
his indulgence would supply her. could go
still further, and tell you that she fulfilled her
vow and became Winters bride Of how
Winter, like any other husband grew tired Of
his little wife, fondness for dress, and desert
ed her, carrying her jewels with him how
Earth wept her soul away IN tears; how her
pretty white dresses grew ragged and thin
and how finally they laid her " underneath
the violets," like many another sad heart ;
but all this has nothing to do with our story.
1t was Christmas eve, as have said One
walking the brilliantly lighted streets of the
city, and gazing III at the windows, exposing
for sale their choice and beautiful goods, their
snowy and attractive gifts looking into the
bright, happy faces as they passed, and listen
! ing to the excited children's ordinations of
| delight, as, with older ones, they witnessed
the rare display, would have needed nothing
further to have told him that it was the eve
of great holiday. But turning aside into
some of the narrow streets walking on, ON,
disappeared listening to the curses of the
poor wretch in the gutter or the drunken
brawl of others over the way seeing only
now and then staggering rays of light from
the miserable dwellings piled up along the
walk and catching from the countenances Of
those who passed only stolid, sulen glances,
or sad, weary looks, he would have required
an almanac, to have told him that the great
day of rejoicing was SO near at hand. Yet
many Of the inmates of these wretched 'stys'
we're well aware that the morrow was Christ
mas. On some the fact made no impression
they had long ago become Indifferent. Others
it rendered bitter, and they cursed the power
ty that ever denied them the wherewithal to
celebrate a holiday. Some wept as they
thought Of brighter days past. And few,
yes, there were some even III this locality, that
drew nearer to each other and thanked God
that, though they suffered below, they should
reign above, because Of His precious gifts to
all mankind he-C hrist-child-JEsUs.
"Brick Row |" was tenement house of the
poorest kind. Yet 1t was shelter in its
way, and half-dozen families hudded to-
gether under its well ventilated roof, and call
ed it home. In the basement Of the east end
lAed Mrs. Mentz and her little brood. : Poor
! Mrs. Mentz." the neighbors were wont to ex-
claim, as they thought Of the many mouths to
feed but to have deprived this CHEEKY. brave
woman Of lusr family would have been to have
taken away her comfort in life---her riches az
she termed them. So we will love rather than
pity her. There was Johnnie Mentz. the
widows Oldest. lad Of sixteen, but help
less cripple, who spent his days IN bed /; yet
Mrs. Mentz often shook her head as she toiled
over her tub, and murmured to herself, What
| in the world would we do without Johnnie
for the dear fellow was sunshine inearnate
Then there was Andy, boy Of fourteen, I