Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-12-25
For the VERMONT FARMER
A CHRISTMAS STORY.
ny MATTE LAWRENCE.

Christmas evel Yes, it was Christmas eve,
clear, bright and beautiful. There had boon
sleigh rides and the usual Christmas festivi
ties, but the moon was now sailing high in
the heavens where il poured flood of silver
light over the trees, the hill and meadow,
until they glistened as though set with dia-
monds by nm invisible hand for thus glad
time of rejoicing
The bells had sent forth their loud peals of
joy, and tho hearts of many had thrilled ne
they received some unexpected token from
loved ones, or ministered to the wants of the
needy poor.
The lights had streamed gaily alike from
the windows of mansion and cot, but they
had gone out one by one until only now and
then faint glimmer from some upper win
dow told that the little village was wrapped
in slumber.
This had, indeed, been merry Christ
mas" in the little village of D, for
health and prosperity had been granted
them, so there was naught to mar or cloud
their happiness. Their bounty had spread
the board of the poor with Christmas deli
cacies, and all had been Remembered with
something of use.
This little New England village was noted
for its economy and thrift, and their gifts
had not been to secure tho worlds applause
| but the command, mot to let the right hand
nRalyhat the left hand doeth," had been
ey obeyed. No gay christmas tree"
~ its branches laden with ornamental
hid fancy articles to please the eye, but good,
substantial gifts for use and comfort.
But, reader mine, ii is not here that wish
to rivet your attention, but follow me in I'M
agnation to an humble cot too far away to
be called on the outskirts of the village, and
| yet near it, and take with me Wow of the
cot and its inmates. The house is small and
old, the barn has in the past sheltered the
COW and horse, but now few hens are its
only occupants, and they could have had
warmer quarters, for the wind and snow
whistle through it ut their pleasure.
Let us peep indoors.
| Seated before the cracking wood fire,
which is the most CHEEKY looking object up
on which the eye rests, is James Greenwood
and his wife, and on the settle. wrapped in
the deep, refreshing sleep of childhood, the
golden, sunny curls pushed carelessy back
from her face, lies little Gertie. the joy and
comfort of the aged couples heart.
| The room is scrupulously neat. and, rs
the moonlight streams across tho nicely
sanded floor, 1t revealed the sad fact that il
is home where poverty, honest poverty
holds sway. A table, three broken chairs
and the old settee complete the list of furni-
ture. In the corner stands the cupboard
that has served them so long and WELL will
its scanty supply Of def neatly arranged, and
on the top shelf the well worn family Bible
is carefully laid.
The light from tho open fireplace and tn,
round moon is all that lights tho room, and
Us they sit busy with their own thoughts, W,
can study for moment their countenances
The snowy locks and pale, wrinkled face
tell of age and disease, but written in indel
ible lines are the set principles of honor anC
justice
They had sat thus n long time when ht
arose and, lighting the tallow dip on the tn
BILE, laid the Bible beside it. His wife tool
her seat at the end of the table while he sal
votions. After turning to the evening les
son, he said: Good wife, it has been many
long years we have journeyed together, anC
never until to-day have we missed the Christ
mas gift of some true-hearted friend.
"But time, alas changes all, oven tn,
heart.
Fifty years-yes, almost, since we lief
/ for a in ihn "a
World We have found kind friends, bu
to-day we seem to be forgotten. We can
not keep the wolf from the door very long
old and feeble rs we are, but there is One in
whom we trust that never forgets."
"True, James," was the wife's reply, "bu
we have no claim on our kind neighbors
But had hoped that this day would have
brought something to relieve our present
need for want stares us in the face, But le
us trust in the Lord, for we have the prom
Use that he will sustain u.s."
After reading the beautiful Psalm, rich IL
promise, commencing, 1.-The Lord is m,
shepherd, shall not want, and Offering N
their prayer for aid, they laid little Gertie il
her bed, and they were all soon sleeping
soundly with no vision of want to disturb
their dreams
james Greenwood was IN Engishman
and with his young wife, stout, comel,
lass, emigrated to America when only TWEEN
ty years of age with high hopes for the flu
ture. But their scanty purse was well-nigl
drained before n situation could be obtained
and although honest, upright and industri
Gus, he was one that seemed fated to b'
poor. A large family of children had sur
rounded their table, but they are scattered
and in their old age tho granddaughter Ger
tie is all that is left them.
poor little orphan they would often say
"who will care for her when we are gomez
True theirs was an humble home, anC
they could do but little for her; but Their
was love and affection, and that is not al
ways found in this selfish world outside o
our own homes. These they lavished upol
her without stint, and no wonder they fel
bad Mt the thought Of a separation.
Her mother had slept in the quiet church
yard since her birth, and her father, thei
llvorite son, had not been heard from 70
five long years.
They had always been what the worlI
calls poor, but the necessaries of life ha'
been theirs, until by an unlucky acciden
Mr.. Greenwood lost the use of his right arm
This, with tho weight of threoscore and al
most ten years, and other infrmites, in
cnpacated him for labor.
Mrs. Greenwood toiled on, washing, sew
ing, and doing all kinds of work for tho vii
lage people, where she could "turn penny
rs long as her health would permit; and 70
three years, by selling tho COW and horse
she had kept them from actual want
But now worn down by labor and disease
the little they had gone, they are left to tn
charity Of the people or to become publ
burden. This was surely great grief.