Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-12-24
GBe0ern'ont ABenit,
BRATTLEBoRo:
FRIDAY EVENING, DEC. "A. 1875
WRITTEN RoR THE VERMONT PHOENIX.
A Christmas story.

1t was Christmas Eve. The curloins worn
closely drawn, and the freight shed a
pleasant radiance over the soft green car
pet and stuffed chairs, which looked ex-
tremely inviting to the tired banker as he
came home from his counting-room. His
loving wife has his slippers and dressing
gown In readiness, and now, as his foot
step Is heard, the sound is welcomed with
the glad shout, "Papa's come ~
-Four nimble foot soonnrs. ~vrvss the car
pet from some hidden recess by the fireside,
and papa is subjected to so many loving ca
resses that he can hardly make his way in
TO the room, where the pet of the family,
the laughing baby, is growing with fun in
her mothers arms.
"Christmas is most here now, papa" said
Ray, after Mr.. Wheaton had succeeded in
getting off his great coat, and with baby in
his arms was quietly resting in the sleepy
hollow.
"Yes, my son, Santa Claus will soon be
coming by with his reindeer, and if these
curious little eyes are not closed by that
time am afraid he will not stop, for he
dislikes very much that little boys and
girls should even have a peep at that great
white beard-of his"
"Ohr' said Bessie, drawing closer 10
mamma, "rs most afraid OF Santa Claus,
do believe"
~ wouldn't be afraid" cried Ray, stand
ing very erect, "Pd just as soon go right up
to him and ask him fer sled as not and
then I'd follow him up the chimney and
ride of on one of the reindeer. You'd
never see me again Bessie, cause should
jes' like 10 ride around in the air all the time.
Seems though twould be beter'n sliding"
During this long speech Of Master Rays,
Bessie's sweet blue eyes were closing, and
soon she was dreaming OF Santa Claus.
Visions of wax dolls and baby dresses no
doubt arose in her mind, for the lips were
parted in smile as mamma pressed kiss
upon them.
Ray was never moro wide awake in his
life. He perplexed his father with innum-
cradle questions as TO the exact way Santa
Claus came down the chimney and if he
wasn't apt 10 get stuck III some of the
smaller ones.
"He always succeeds in getting down,
my dear, if there are no bad acts and an
CRY words in his way. There is no danger
if you have tried to be good since the last
Christmas day." was Mr.. Wheaton's an
swer.
Ray sat thoughtfully for a moment, then
concluded it would be wise to follow Bes-
sizes example, and trust that Santa would
get there before morning.
When the little ones were snugly tucked
in bed and fast asleep, two figures, though
1 can't say that they resembled Santa Claus,
went softly about filling first one little
stocking and then another, until the work
was completed and the house was STILL
At the first glimpse of light, however,
Ray was awake. For a moment he could
hardly collect his sleepy ideas, but when it
did come to him that it surely was Christ
mas day he sprang out of bed, and in an
instant was in the drawing-room. He
could scarcely believe what he saw. There
were his stockings full, and two or three
other great big bundles laying by them.
"Myl 1 guess must have been a little
gooder than thought was this year. I'll
go and wake up Bessie right straight off,"
After good deal of trouble he succeed
ed in awakening poor sleepy little Bessie,
and papa and mamma were duly informed
that it was Merry Christmas and were
showered with kisses. Then the stockings
were taken into the bedroom, and such
presents. There was the wax doll with a
whole wardrobe, and baby house COM
pletely furnished. Rays largest bundle
contained a sled, and on it was note ad-
dressed to him in Santa Claus own hand
writing saying it should be his, with one
condition-that Bessie should receive ride
every pleasant day. Ray without any hes
itation agreed to this and then proceeded to
search his stockings, where so many won
derful things were found that have not
time to describe them, so will hastily pass
over the happy day, in which the sled was
duly tried and approved, and we will once
more 60 10 the drawing-room. This time
we find it brilliantly lighted. A Christmas
tree is there with its wax tapers and shin
ing balls. Is the room empty? By no
means. Crowds of little folks are there.
1t is surprise party for Ray and Bessie,
and as we watch them they gather around
Mrs. Wheaton as she sits at the piano, and
in their sweet, childish voices chant Scar
oil, carol, Christmas" Oh what happy,
happy time, and will tley forget the poor
in the midst of itall?
Let me take you to the Little Wander
ers Home" A Christmas tree is there al
so, and table loaded with good things.
The chill dren are told that it is by the kind
ness of their friend, Mr.. Wheaton, this
Christmas is made so joyful, and Mr..
Wheaton, as you have already guessed, is
no other than the father of our little friend
Ray.