Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-12-22


They had been scared by their mothers
tears; but she had smiled again, aud that
had made all right with them. The sun was
shining brightly, and they were on the sunny
side Of the old church, aud they laughed and
chirped and ohlttered to each other as mer-
rily as the little birds in the ivy boughs.
The old sexton came to the side door and
threw out an armful of refuse greens, and
then stopped moment aud nodded kindly
at them,
"May we play with them, please. sir 90
said the little Elsie, looking up with great
reverence.
"Oh, yes, 10 be sure these are done with
they are no good now"
"Oh, Tottie " cried Elsie, rapturously
" just think, he says We may play with all
these. Why, here's ever and ever so much
green, enough to play house. let's play
build house for father aud mother"
I'm going to build n big house for EN-
when grow up" said Tottie. q aud mean
to have glass bead windows in it,"
Tottie had once had presented to him q
box of colored glass beads to string, and ht
could think of nothing finer in The future
than unlimited glass beads
Meanwhile his sister began planting pine
RAtAh'AA'0 III VIZ NtibNf " AhAhf hNA hRN''s
" You see we can make believe there are
windows and doors and roof" She said
"and it's Just as good Now, let's make be-
lieve there is bed in this corner, and we
will lie down to sleep"
And Tottie obedieutly conched himself in
the allotted corner and shut his eyes very
hard, though after a moment he remarked
that the snow got into his neck.
You must play it isn't snow--play it,
feathers, SAD Elsie
" But | don't like A." nersistpd IOttie
" it don't feel a bit Ike feathers"
"Oh, well, then" said Elsie, accommo
dating herself to circumstances, ." let's play
get up now, aud I'll get breakfast"
Just now the door opened again, aud tn,
sexton began sweeping the refuse out of til,
church. There were bits of ivy and holly
and ruiiles of ground-pine, aud lots of bright
red berries that came flying forth into tn,
yard, and the children screamed for Joy
"Oh Elsie !" "Only see how many pretty
things-lots and lots !"
The sexton stood and looked and laughed
scraps and remnants
Don't you want to come in aud soc th'
church ?" he said. It's nj done uow, ant
"a ilaNt olkiA ~ ~ w may ANiiN Ut
They tipped IN softly with large bright
wondering eyes, The light through tn
stained glass windows fell blue and crimson
and yellow on the pillars all rufiled will
ground-piue aud frightened with scarlr
bitter-sweet berries, and there were stars an'
crosses and notices in green all through tn
bowery aisles, while the orgaui,t hid in
thicket of yerdure, was practiciug softly, am
y .s,t.aa
"IIark the herald angel. sl,s
GLORY to the ne"'no'" King
The little ones wandered up and down til
long aisle in dream of awe and wonde
" Hush, Tottie" said Elsie, when he brok
into an eager exclamation, " don't make
noise. | do believe its something lik
heaven" she said, under her breath,
They made the course al the church an
came round hy the door again. where TIA
sexton stood smiling upon them.
" You can fiud lots OF pretty Christina
greens out there" no said, pointing TO th
door perhaps your folks would like /
have some"
oh. thank you, SIR" exclaimed Elsi'
| rapturousy. oh, lottie. only think
Let's gather a good lot, aud % home an
dress our room for Christmas. Oh ron
mother be astonishcd when she comes hom
Wen make ii so prettyw
Aud forthwith the children began gathe
into their little aprons wreaths of groun'
pine, sprigs of holly, and twigs Of orimso
bitterswset. The sexton, seeing their zea
brought out TO them a little cross, fancifull
made of red aldeiberries and pine.
Then he said, " 4 lady took that down
put up larger one, aud she gave it 10 M
you may have it, il You want it,"
" Oh, how beautiful" said Elsie. " lIo
glad | am to have this for mother Whc
She comes back she won't know our room