The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1875-12-25
IJNisccllaneoms.
A CHRISTMAS EVE.

It was Christmas Eve, and the snow lay deep
in the streets of Seeberg, small mining town
in Germany; but the neighboring peasants
came down from their mountain homes, and
sought to forget the rigor of the season in in
nocent festivity. Family groups assemble to-
gether, the voice of song and of childish mer-
rinent resounds from many an humble home,
and preparations are being made for general
illumination.
Christmas Evein Germany is welcomed as
season of rejoicing by the poorest peasant, as
well as by the wealthest noble of the land
But, amidst all these happy homes, there was
one lowly dwelling at least whore no feast had
been prepared, where no sounds of merriment
were heard.
. Veronica Madel had, for some time past, sup
ported her blind father and little brother by
lace-making. Once they had known better
days. The father had been slater, an indus
trious man, but had lost his eyesight from the
effects of a confagration which he had braveiy
helped to extingush. His wife did not long
survive this calamity, but died, partly of grief,
partly of over exertion, committing her blind
husband and her infant boy to the care of her
daughter Veronica herself still a child.
Veronica's mind, however, had been preTa-
turely ripened by the and sorrow which
had so early fallen to her lot; and she we'll full
filled the charge committed to her by her dy
ing parent. ....... ....
the young girl had been seated before nerlaee-
pillow, working without intermission from ear
ly morning till night closed in then, poor
child, she was forced to pause in her labors, for
she could not afford light. She made, how
ever good FIRE in the stove to warm her blind
father; and, having placed him in his easy
chair close by its side, she yielded to her little
brothers entreaties that she would take him
cut to see the illuminations.
The two children accordingly set forth to-
gether. Already the whole town was astlr-
Miners in their characteristic costume march
ed along in groups, with bands OF music pre-
ceding them; and ever and anon they paused
before the door OF some wealthy citizen, and
carolled forth their Christmas greeting. Then
the door of the house so honored might be seen
to open, and the master himself would gener-
slly step forth and reward the leader of the
serenade by presenting to him some small
gratuity. Children, following the example of
their elders, wandered also in little bands from
door to door, singing their Christmas carols;
and seldom were the young sinners dismissed
without some trifng present, accompanied by
a kindly word.
AS Veronica passed on her way, holding her
little brother by the hand, and gazing on these
varied groups, new thought suddenly sugges-
ted itself to her mind: "Why should she not
seek to win some trifing Christmas gifts for her
poor blind father" t.s .l. NL.t
Timidly, and with beating heart, the poor
child bent her steps towards part of the town
where she was but little known. The charac-
ter she was about to play was very new to her;
and her heart we'll nigh failed her when it
came to the point; but love to her father nerv-
ed her to the task; and, drawing her hood
closely around her, she stepped close under the
window Of house of lowly aspect, and sang in
clear, though subdued tones. the following
verse:
/ "Cheer up, We miners bold, .r. 4