Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1877-12-25

"A SllgnC meQlum-SlAou inquire III
deep mourning, standing in the front
part OF the small gallery, and careless
iy holding book before her droop.
ing eyes. As the last chord echoed
the aisles her voice was dis
tinctIy audible, breathing forth rather
than singing the opening sentence OF
that solemn but comforting invitation
to which Handel has gwen a fitting
setting in bis sublime Messiah:
"Cume u.,to Him all ye that labor and
are heavy laden, and He will give you rest
Take His yoke upon you and learn Of Him,
for He is meek and Owly Of heart, and yc
sllal. find rest unto your souls"
So soft and perusive at first as to
be merely audible, the exnortation,
Take His yoke upon you" was CIV
en- with power and fervor that were
electrifying, and again, the sweet,
pure voice seemed to revel in the Ut
teraIce Of the rich reward.
Mr.. Barclays glasses gave him a
great deal Of trouble during the sing
ing of the anthem. He was SO con-
stantly taking them off and rubbing
them with his handkerchief that
continuous look at the singer was i'm
possible. He fingered in the aisle
after the service, and watched. At
length the organist came down the
stairs into the vestibule, followed by
the new soprano. A number Of per-
sons were introduced to them but
Mr.. Barclay was satisfied to scrntl'
nize at distance. Both were young
and bore certain likeness to each
other, but the man was tall and blue
eyed, and the masses Of hair that
swept away from his square forehead
were Of a lightb.rown shade. The
woman was gifted with glorious hazel
eyes, and very dark, silky lashes that
gave a sad expression to features 9TH
erwise as bright as pretty. The two
left the church with prominent
member of the vestry, and Mr.. Bar
clay, very much shaken by hitherto
untelt sensations, took his way down
town.
A toy store was his objective point
and he soon opened the door Of the
best the town boosted. Mrs. Link, the
owner Of the Urea ures tcmptingly set
out in the windown, entered the store
from the living-room back, baby on
her arm, and little urchin of three
clinging to her skirts. We'll, my lit
tie man, and what did Santa Claus
bring you?' asked Mr.. Barclay, more
surprised than any one else could be
at the words which seemed to come
spontaneously from his throat.
'Nozzin,' sobbed the little man.
why, why, that vii! never do,
said Mr.. Barclay.
He wanted new suit. said Mrs.
Link Toys are no novelty to him,
and as he couldn't have the clothes,
why, he has nothing. What can | do
for you, sir?
1t was some years since Mr.. Bar
clay had indnl ged in blush, but he
certainly was doing it now.
4 want u drum, the biggest you
have, and a gun, the longest in the
store.
Shall I send them asked Mrs
Link, committing her baby to the
doubtful arms Of a half grown girl
and glancing at the shelf where re-
posed the biggest drum.
No, I'll take them. heroically re-
piled Mr.. Barclay; foreseeing some
mischauce if he left them behind
His appearance as he went up the
main street, the hugh drum dangling
from one hand and the little gun under
his arm, attracted much attention frou
the children on the street and in thu
windows. Box was awake. and hac
disposed Of a large apple and some
gingerbread. He sat on chair nurs
ing an astonished kitten which he hsd
captured in the kitchen, and Mrs. Bar
clay, with very red eyes, still watched
his pranks and listened to his few sen
fences.
As Mr.. Barclay entered the room
Box sprang from his seat and ran t'
him. The kitten disappeared under thu
sofa and Mrs. Barclay sat speechless
ooh, he's come I! he's come" criec
Box, in au ecstasy. Santa Claus il
come There's my drum and my gun
Where's the sticks till | teat it -
For some minutes there was deaf,
ening rub a-dub. dub, which. strange to
say, seemed to please Mr.. Barclay as
much as it did the delighted Box.
ON, | wish my mamma would come
Will she soon be here ?"
Mr.. Barclay nodded, and Box adj
justed his gun and forgot her.
When dinner was ready Box was
perched on some great books laid on
chair facing Mr.. Barclay. The
drum and gun were placed on the ia
BILE beside him, where, with his eyes
fondly fixed on them, he vigorously
attacked the roasted turkey and
mincepie.
When the dessert was put on, the
lamp lighted, aud Mr.. Barclay had
turned his armchair to the blazing
d., LII H., ,,,t L., Il r,,, ,pI ri, N