Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-03-19

for Christmas night Il was felled the first OF
all. The axe cut deep, tho tree fell to the
earth with sroan without strength and full
of pain. Nor could he think at all Of his
fortune, but wns troubled mt the thought of
separation from home and the spot upon
which he had grown up. lie knew that he
would never again see his dear old comrades.
the little bushes and flowers near by, and
perhaps not even the birds. The journey
was wholly unpleasant.
The tree came TO himself as he entered a
yard with the rest of the trees, when he
heard some one say This one is pretty, we
viii use only this"
Then came two servants in full array and
drew our fir tree into large, beautiful hall.
All around on the walls were pictures, near
by was great Dutch tile stove, and just be-
yond great China vases with lions on the
covers; then were there rocking chairs, silk
en- sofas, great tables with picture books and
plnythings innumerable, which the children,
If nobody else, were sure TO see.
The fir tree was placed IN large cask full
of sand, but this was we'll hidden by varie-
gated tapestry and only the tree could be
seen. o, how the tree quiveredl Surely
what will now happenP Indeed the servants
adorned IL rs tho do ladies, On the twigs they
hung little nets made of colored paper and
each was full of candy; golden apples and
walnuts hung around rs IL they were the
trees own fruit, and hundreds of red, blue
and white little tapers were fastened to the
twigs. Dolls, which appeared rs lifelike us
babes themselves tree had never seen
such-swung among the branches, and high
above all at the very top was n star of gold !;
that was pretty, remarkably pretty.
This evening" said everyone, this eve
ming it will be pleasant"
CO.. thought the tree, "would thatit were
already evening! II they would only light
those little tapors. And then what will hap
penP Will the trees come from the forest
to see me? win the sparrows look in at the
window? Shall stand firmly here adorned
thus by winter and all summer?'
Truly he guessed not the end. But he had
regular barkache on account of his long
ings, and barkaches are as bad for tree rs
headaches for us.
Now were the tapers lighted. What bright
ness! How beautiful! Accordingly the tree
rustled with JOY so that one of the taper
burnt some of the green leaves and it wal
badly singed.
"God help u.s." screamed the ladies anC
hastily extinguished the fire.
Then burst the tree culver no more. o
unconscious of all the brightness. And nov
both the folding doors were thrown oper
when the children rushed in, but the oldc
people came after moro slowly. The littl
ones stood dumb, but only an instant, thel
they shouted so that the room fairly rung
They danced up around the tree and on
present after another was stripped of.
"What will they do?" thought the tree
"What should happen" The tapers burne,
down close to the twigs and then they were
put out. Afterwards was leave given t.
the children to plumber and they burst upoI
it so that every twig cracked and if the gold
on star had not been secure in the top II to-
would have fallen.
that was sorrow He was so fearful o
losing some of his finery that he was who'll
The children danced around with thei
presents but nobody noticed the tree exceI
the nursery maiden who went and locke
among the branches to see if some figs Q
apples had not been left.
"A story A story!" shouted the childre
as they led little old man to tho tree; an
he sat right under it. "For we are in the fol
est and the tree may take especial delight i
it," said he. but shall tell only one stor!
Shall it be of Iveda Aveda or of Humpt
Dumpty, who fell down stairs and yet cam
to honor and won n princess?"
"Iveda Aveda!" shouted some, "Humpt
Dumpty" shouted others, and there WI
noise and confusion. Only the fir-tree KEEP
quiet and it thought; "Shall l not join then
shall have nothing ut all in thisP" He wa
present, you know, and had accomplishe
what he sought.
Then the man told them of Hump
Dumpty who fell down stairs. yet came
honor and won the princess. And the chi
dren clapped their hands and shouted: "Te
another. tell anotherr' They wished
hear the story of Iveda Aveda also. but oil
; tanned only that of Humpty Dumpty. III
+ lir-tree stood wholly mute and thankful, f
|
S "Hunpty DumPty fell down stairs and y
won the princess. Yes, yes, so it com
S about in the world" thought the tree; al
3 he believed it was true because the man WI
told it was so pleasant. Eyes, yes, who C;
t tell? Perhaps too shall fall down stat
It and yet obtain princess" and he rejoic
in anticipation of again being decorated Il
s next day with lights and toys, gold ri
u fruits.
4 Tomorrow shall not tremble, thong
he. IL shall rejoice IN all my glory.
K morrow shall l again hear the story
l Humpty Dumpty and perhaps of Iveda Az
y da Also" and the tree stood still and than
II full all night long. Morning brought the Sc
a wants and the nurse again.
l. Now begins the finery anew thong
the tree. But they dragged him out of
o room, up stairs to the attic, and there In
II dark corner where no sunlight could rea
" him was he left alone. "What does Il
)" mean? thought the tree. What should
here? What can be heard in such place
ID And he leaned against the wall and thong
b and thought Surely he had time enoug
for days and nights passed by, yet nobo
W come near. But at last some ono came
g. It so happened 1t was TO put some gr'
chests in the corner. Now was the Il
tie wholly hidden and we must believe he "
70 completely forgotten.
le at is still winter" thought the tree ST
II earth is frozen and covered with snow; m
5, cannot flout me, and so keep me here unt
., shelter until spring. How thoughtful u
IN is! How good they arc! III were not
y. dark here and so frightfully lonesoniei \
ir even little hare! That was so cOmforta
IN out in the forest, and pleasant too, when
~ snow lay upon the ground and the hares
err about. Yes, indeed, when one even spra
over me; but then could not endure it.