The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-12-06
4 MERRY CHRISTMAS,


4 story Tor the Holidays.
"a merry Christmas!" It echoed
through this wide streets in n Thousand
different voices; it rang ont in the clear
slcigh bells; it was shouted through the
house 10y childish voices; it was whis.
pcrod in loving tones by tho invalid's
couch; It was sighed forth, with bitter
emphlSis5, IN tho prison cells; il WAS
mutterGi, in hard voices, in the dark,
dirty alleys, where merrimcnt was a
mockery, Or the despairing mirth of
mas - ''''
AIina !" sail low, feeble voice,
from u poor hard pallet" Anna |"
Yes, mother; am hers"
The child-for she had not seen more
than twelve or thirteen summers-rose
from seat upon tue floor, mid aside her
sewing, and bent over the invalid. The
room was a garnet, poorly protected
from tue cold, snowy winds without. A
small tire hardly served TO take the bit.
tcrcst chill from the air. The furniture
consisted OF two mattresses upon the
floor, md low, wooden chest.
Anna, dear child, put aside yonr
work. II is Christmas day. Where is
Charley Z"
"Gjna to the store. Mr.. Perkins
promised him new jacket for Christ
mas gift, aud he has gone fortho order. "
And you, my poor child, will have
al am as fortunate as you," said
Annn, with assumed gaycty; but, in
spite Of her efforts to restrain them, Il
large tear rolled down each check.
1t is very cJll," said the invalid,
3hivcriug.
Mother ! dear mother and now
tho fears flowed frccly-"you arc sick,
shiyering with cold on Christmas day |!
and / 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 Heaven! hast
thou no pity for my mothcri"
Anna, it IL just. Listen, my child,
and You shall hear my story. Long
years ngO, WIS the pOtted child OF
wealthy parents. l had brothers and
sisters; but, OF all, l was the favorite.
was beautiful and talented, aud my
fathers idol. With every indulgence,
nvcry care, my path through life was
strewn. And how did l Ircpayit? With
bitter, gross ingratitude. was aspoilt,
willful child: but my parents were blind
t. all my defects, seeing only my fair
face, mud hearing only the praises Of my
various teachers.
"AmOng the visitors at my fathers
house, there wasa Frcnchman, mlu
who called himself Count de Ia Po,ta.
He WIS handsome and graceful. Iloyed
him. My father, who saw his real
worthlesmosS, tried, by gcntlenCSs and
love, Ia win me from lin. This was
impossible. | inncird him pcrsecuicL
sIint, aud clung to him still more close
ly. At last, my father cxnctci from us
Il promise to separate, and hold no CON.
munication with each other for a
year. He hoped that in that time
hl could convince mo Of his uu.
worthincsS. Aunn, you will despisc
your mother When she tells You that
in six months she broke her promise,
mud clOprd with Count de Ia Posta.
trusted To my fathers great love for
forgiveness. Twas wrong. Ny ingruti-
tude, disObcdirncc, aud deceit met their
just puuiShHnt : my father refused to
soc his crfing child; il was bitter Ills.
appointment, I had 80 counted Oh his
love; but turned to my husband for
comfort. Now came tho hardest blow
OF all. My husband coolly informed me
that hc was no count, that his name was
Dugarde, aud that he had becn valet to
nOblemen all his life. He hal mVrried
mo in hopes OF sharing my dowry, aud
now quietly refused to support me. For
ten years We lived life Of utter un.
happiness. You were born, and Charley,
and named for my flvorite brother aud
sister. 1 earned something by selling
the jewels l had brought from home,
and by assisting my husband in giving
French lessons. Had he but loved me,
could still have been happy; but he
treated mo with GOODNESS, sometimes
with cruelty, and continually rrproached
me with my poverty, and failure in win.
ming pardon from my father. At last,
he died. In all these long years / had
heard no word Of love from his lips
but on his deathbel ho spoke to me
tendGrly aud gently. Anna, have long
forgiven him all his unkindness do yOn
the same. After hC died, again sought
my father. In vain he refused to scC
me. For three years moro l supported
my children then came this sickness.
Two years have | lived in abicct poverty,
supported by charity and the little you
could earn. Anna, my child, | will soon
c"ase to bO u burden upon your young
hands"
Mother, do not speak so. You break
my heart"
"Anna, my dear child, who will care
Tor You whom I am gOnei God bless
mud pity my orphan childIenl 1t IL
Christmas day. This very day, fifteen