The Canton mail. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 18??-1882, 1875-12-25
AMERRY CHRISTMAS
A Story for the Holidays.

A merry christmas 1t echoed
through the wide streets ina thousand
different voices it rang out in the clear
sleigh bells it was shouted through the
house by childish voices it was whis-
Pered in loving tones by the invalid's
couch; it was sighed forth, with bitter
emphasis, in the prison cells; it was
-muttered, in hard voices, in the dark,
dirty alleys, where merriment was a
mockery, or the despairing mirth of
over-wrought misery. "a merry
Christmas -
Gamma" said low, feeble voice,
from poor, hard pallet '.Anna!"
Eyes, mother; am here"
The child-for she had not seen
more than twelve or thirteen summers
rose from seat upon the floor, laid
aside her sewing, and bent over the
invalid. The room was garnet, poor
y Protected from the cold, snowy
winds without. A small fire hardly
served to take the bitter chill from the
air. The furniture consisted of two
mattresses upon the floor, and low,
wooden chest.
ANNA, dear child, put aside your
work. 1t is Christmas day. Where
is Charley?"
"Gone to the store. Mr.. Perkins
promised him anew JACKIE. for Christ
mas gilt, and he has gone for the order"
And you, my poor child, will have
no gift.
II am as fortunate as you,' said
Anna. with assumed gaiety; but, in
spite of her efforts to restrain them, a
large tear rolled down each cheek.
at is very cold, said the invalid,
shivering.
Mother dear mother l"-and now
the tears flowed freely-.'you are sick,
shivering with cold on Christmas day!
and l cannot warm you! Others have
fine gifts, large houses, warm fires, and
plenty to eat; while we are starving
and freezing. 1t is unjust. o Heav-
en- hast thou no pity for my mother ?"
Gamma, it is just. Listen, my child,
and you shall hear my story. Long
years ago, was the petted child Of
wealthy parents. l had brothers and
sisters; but, of all, 1 was the favorite.
was beautiful and talented, and my
fathers idol. With every indulgence,
every care, my path through life was
strewn. And how did 1 repay it?
With bitter, gross ingratitude. was
a spOilt, willful child: but my parents
were blind to all my defects, seeing
~nly my fair face, and hearing only
ne praises of my various teachers
Among the visitors at my fathers
louse, there was Frenchman, a man
Who called himself Count de La Posta,
He was handsome and graceful. l
owed him. My father, who saw his
seal worthlessness, tried, by gentleness
klove, TO win me from him. This
wasle2ossible / fancied him a per-
secutedip and chung to him still
more close At last, my father ex-
acted from US promise to separate,
ana hoid no communication with each
other for year. He hoped that in
that time he could convince me of his
unworthiness. Anna, you will despise
your mother when she tells you that in
SIX months she broke her promise. and
eioped with Count de la Posta. I
trusted to my fathers great love for
forgiveness. / was wrong. NV in
gratitude ,disobes3iieace and deceit met
their just punishment; my Iarhsr re-
fused to see his erring child; it was a
bitter disappointment, 1 had so counted
on his love; but l turned to my hus-
band for comfort. Now came the
hardest blow of all. NY husband
coolly informed me that he was no
count, that his name was Dugarde, and
that he had been valet to noblemen all
his life. He had married me in hopes
OF sharing my dowry, and'now quietly
refused to support me. For ten years
We lived life of utter unhappiness.
You were born, and Charley, and
named for my favorite brother and sis
yer. 1 earned something by selling
the jewels had brought from home
and by assisting my husband in giving
French lessons. Had he but loved me
l could still have been happy; but he
treated me with GOODNESS, Sometimes
with cruelty, and continually reproacbed
me with my poverty, and failure in
winning pardon from my father. At
last he died. In all these long wears
had heard no word of love from his
lips; but on his deathbed he spoke to
me tenderly and gently. Anna, 1 have