The daily gazette., 1877-12-31
"ACHRiSTMASGI GIF T.
BY s.

BY s.
In soft white flakes descended the
snow from the heavy gray clouds, vail
ing the still earth lovingly from the grim
winter cold. Very early the night had
fallen, and now, for hours, it had cover:
ed city and country with its broad, star
less mantle, Righ, above the church
towers were busy with the stout arms
that were setting the strings of the bell in
motion, to proclaim how, long ago, in
the middle Of the Winters night, a
glorious life was born; how the holy
feast was celebrated, when the stars Of |
love arose over hut and palace.
Now, too, in the provincial town of |
| A., rang the full accord of the bells !
from all the towers. Cot and castle
were decked variously, yet from one i'm
pulse, for each man met his brother with
common feeling. Stole through the
heavy curtains and blinds clear and
frindly glimmer showing how Joy and
delight reigned within; how everywhere
the birth feast of the Lord was celebrat-
ed-in every house Christmas tree was
lighted.
The lower room of a stately dwelling
in one of the best streets was cozily
warm, every current of air being exclud-
ed by curtains and tapestries. A soft
carpet covered the floor, upon which
stood elegant furniture; fragrant flowers
charmed you from the stand and etagere
deriding alike winters cold and the soft
spring air. The lamps on the table
; lighted silver tea service; everything
spoke of the prosperity, but nothing re-
minded one that this was Christmas
Eve.
Nogifts were piled up, no fir tree was
lit, for there was no child to take, laughs
ing, its fruit. The Christmas time was
Ito the dwellers in that fair room, no
feast of joy, but one of sorrow.
The lady sat alone by the table there
yFA still young-about thirty years of
I age. In the first year of her marriage
God had thought her worthy of the
mothers Joy. She had clased fair child
to her breast But in fow weeks the
Lord recalled His angel to its heavenly
home. With deepest sorrow the mother
saw it borne away, while she remained
behind in home which had now be-
come nest without a bird-a garden
without flower
The occupants of this beautiful man
sion were rich, and she luxuries which
wealth could procure were theirs. But
though possessed of these, and Of thu
love of each others hearts, they wer
not happy. Their wide rooms echoet
never to the sweetest of all music-th
merry child voice.
The husband surrounded his wife wit
everything that could beautify her life
and she was grateful-gave no sign G
her grief-suffered him not to know ho'
deep was the void in her heart, and ho'
these failed to fill it. and how lonely an
still she wandered over the rich, empt
house when he was absent.
To-day he had gone away with tn
promise to bring her home beautilr
christmas present, and she had smile
and jested, begging him not to forget
"He is so kind" she said to hersel
The shall not know how little pleasul
take in these costly luxuries which b
love scatters so lavishly around me. Bl
am longing for warm child-heart
on press to mine my hand reaches out
y. clasp tiny fingers my ear is ever lister
ne ing for the sweet sound of childhood
prattle wish to offer gifts, but can on
accept them. l would labor and ca
for others, yet must submit to be care
for myself. l cannot heap up Christms
gifts, nor adorn the green fir tree vii
lights and bon-bons. Here no lit
bird futters its wings. The very tire
would wonder why it should be tor
from its pleasant forest home and /
brought here where there is no Chris
mas mirth."
Hours long had the lonely wife sat
her reveries. The servant had lit Il
lamps and set the tea table unnotic'
by her. Now tinkled the Christm
greeting from the tower and aroused b
from her dream, like messenger
hope. saying that to her, too, happine
might yet come.
Steps sounded at the door. She opent
it, and her husband entered. Careful
bore he a bundle which he gently la
ry, upon the table, while he said, in stron
lly-moved voice:
'f'' "I have brought thee Christmas g
that God has sent to me. thought
buy thee set Of jewels that yesterd
saw in a jewelers. show>window. As
was stepping into the shop heard afai
mourning that came from this bund
already halt-covered with snow. ope
led IL ana IOuhu LucTo u ucdIly LOL
babe, and 1 hastened with 1t hither.
ute made me forget the jewel set. Willy
VS.. chide me?"
las He opened the bundle and the asto
per lshed lady saw therein little girl of ne;
ly the same age as her own when dea
Na ,cK took it away. Wakened by warm
Aer streaming over its cold, benumbed fe;
ures, the motherless child opened its ey
ns ~; and stretched out its arms to the Chi
"' less mother. She took it from her HI
,sa band and gazed upon it long and tend'
, ,sn ly, while fountain of love sprang up
her heart toward the helpless being al
alv with warm tears streaming from her ey'
de- she said
"Thou bringest me Christmas g
ar costlier than diamonds. Thou hast foui
the it, but our child is above, and Christ, 6
children's friend, has sent us this th
so the disolate babe might find parents, al
nr the desolate parents child. Let it
ours, and Gods blessing be with us al
ma "Amen," said the husband, and ann
in sang the bells, which were just ringi1
OF their last peal. /,