The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1874-01-03
Christmas Pictures.
BY THE REV. IL. ROSWELL.


Well this is pleasant. Seated in an
old arm chair this December evening,
by table heaping full of Christmas
books and toys. A good sized hickory
log Is swapping and blazing on the
healthstone, tossing a shower of sparks
and a roaring sheet of flame up the
huge chimney. Very easy to forget the
cold wind without, aud the binding
snow flakes.
Hark , dull, rumbling noise, faint
at first, then louder and yet louder
What can it be? Down the chimney
with a 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 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 cordiality, 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, envy 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 it2-then
he gave the candle a sudden puff, and
ont it went. The room was lit only by
the glaring light from the burning
wood upon the Fireplace.
"Lookl !" 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-and [ gazed in rapture,
sometimes laughing, sometimes weep
ing, filed with strange emotions. So
life like were the colors; and the fig
ures sometimes moved AID 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 fgure-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, a ball, package of bon
bons, O drum, Noah's ark, and ever so
many other things besides. Wonder
full how much q child's stocking will
hold on Christmas eve! Wait till
morning comes, and you will hear a
shout of triumph from pair OF little
throats
Then, a grandly furnished parior,
none too good for such a family to
gatherin on Christmas. A happy fam
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 It's
branches hang with such curious fruit
as books and boxes, startling toys anG
candies of all colors. "Never was such
tree, never that was the family
verdict. What a clapping of hands
what shout of loy-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 a step from smiles
to tears-from mlrth to sadness. 4 sick
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. 4 little boy was trying to
, push his way to get view of his dear
sister
"Mother, is this Christmas morn.
ing 2" asked the sick child.
Yes, DEAR" was the reply.
"Oh, / am SO glad that | have lived
to see it. 1t tells me that Jesus was
once a child He loves the children,
{ for he blessed them; and | shall 60
and see him If / die. Shall ] not, dear
mother r.
eyes, yes, dear child. "
Draw aside the curtain and let. the
light enter"