The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1875-01-08

px MARY A. DKE1soS.--

Dear Nelly; Come the night before,
ON merry Christmas eve.
For we're to have housefui,
IA Won can well believe.
There's Cousin VIII expected
From countries over the sea;
what wonderful thinas hen bring MS
10 put ON the Christmas tree!
ss Mamma wrote to Grandpa Martin
FOR . wen-grown pine or fr.
And he said he would seed . Martin box
Especially for her;
But be won't forget US children.
He never did at least
I only wish he could be here
To share in our Christmas feast.
We are All so very busy
Getting our presents done;
You can't think what sm making
OF al things under the sun
mean for your special pleasure;
can tell you about the rest,
For Netty and Carry and Hstty
Are doing their very best.
I've made an embroidered apron,
And tatted lovely set,
Worked pair Of elegant slippera,
And collar and cuffs for Net;
For papa yard-long watch chain
With beads Of gold and black;
And pair OF crimson wristers
And pretty blue neck-tie for Jack.
90 You should see us girls together
After our lessons are over.
Up in the old-time nursery,
Busy as bees in clover:
Busy with needles ss nailers,
Talking and laughing and humming,
And building such glorious castles
Against the time Of your comming.
g There are so many aunts and cousinsl
And the tree is to be % fnel
And we always get something we wish for,
wonder what gifts will be miner
almost foT ssaa tniPa ps. can gTsSs, a though %
And perhaps it viii be piano;
want that the most Of AL.
H Don't laugh at my funny grammar;
You know it is Christmas time,
And when I'm 30 wild and happy
Nettg longs for set OF 9arnets,
And Het for watch and chain,
And Jack viii be quite delighted
With dainty rosewood cane.
<s And Carry is almost certain
Or furs, beautiful set.
I'm sure we ought 70 be thankful
For anything that we get.
So on Christmas eve you must be here.
For our tree viii be loaded down,
And We look for glorious frolic
With cousins from city ana town.
g wish every soul the world over
Could be happy at Christmas time;
I close my letter in rhyme.
p. S.-We have made up ten dollars
To send to Widow Brown
poor soul with three pretty children
Who lives far away down town."
g The fire is out, and the ashes
Are cold my heart is cold
As stitch fold after fold;
They talk of the happy Christmas
Dear Christ, oh teach me to bear
The sad, sad lot of the hopeless,
That my soul may not despair.
4sDear little Ned and HarryI
They wanted ball and top;
Il saw such pretty ones, mammal
Said Ned, in the fancy shop.
Wont you get us tree for Christmas ?
If it's just as small can be,
As small as my little finger,
Still you must get US q tree.
90 Dear hearts and so near is the Christmas,
And toll so hard for bread
And he who made holiday sunshine
Is lying lew with the dead;
I'll search for the rich mans giAaninRs,
The crumbs that fall heedlessly,
And I'll weave little gay garland
And call it q Christmas tree.
Is And IN hang it full Of good Wishes
But oh ! If had doll
For Bess, and top for Neddy,
And for Harry 3 bright. red bali
Alas! for the tears are falling,
This work is too costly by far,
The fash OF q bitter tear-drop
Its wondrous sheen would mar.
Is 'Tis for limbs so daintily coveredI
While my poor babies weep
When the cold gets under their patches,
And smile only when they sleep.
wish could die tomorrow
And take my babies away,
We'd have such Christmas in heaven!
Such glorious Christmas day!
<s But no; through the cold and hunger
We still must wearNy plod,
We must think that others are happy,
And trnst-6 we can-tn God.
If we can-I am wicked to say it
letter how strange there should be
IN all this wide city creature
To write letter 70 me!
Dear Lordi why here's money-ten dollars
Ten dollars for ChIistmas,' signed frie nd
Ten dollars for gifts for the b2bies
Oh. darlings ten dollars to spend
And wen have dinner for Christmas,
And shoes for the baby SO wee;
And Goals for the fire, and, bless them,
For my darlings Christmas tree.
&c oh! dear hearts so true and tender!
wish You could see into mine,
And know that your sweet gift has kindIed
A love that Is almost divine.
wish could thank you-yes, kneeaing
Close at your very feet,
And my little ones all beside
Their innocent thanks to repeat.
sc You may whiten o cold ashes!
For see in your midst flame
Kindled by some good Christian,
wish but knew the Rama.
You may cover the windows, o frost king!
You may sleep, my babies, in peace, "
For my heart is as warm the sunshIne,
And my faith has found release
From the cold, and the hate, and the terror,
Into the blessed light,
And wait with new, sweet longing
For the coming of Christmas night"
Hearth and Home.