The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-01-16

ever danced. The girl stood at the par
lor blinds singing:
"He flies through the air with the greatest of
| ease;
He looks like. a mule on the flying trapeze',
as made carom on the doorstep, and
drew chalk line with my nose clear
across the sidewalk.
The results of that Cay were fatal. It
completely spoiled Miss Cornell's chan
ces of ever becoming that soJe Of miae
The Forst Child.
lt,sWas Christmas night, and from
his high northern home, where he sits
alone on a glittering throne by the side
Of his father, King Winter, the Frost
Child descended into the milder zone to
roam through the cities of the world and
gaze in at windows draped for the holi-
days. Though he came from the cold,
he was not cold. Over the yellow of his
halr he Wore coronet that shone with the
eternal brightness Of a diamond, Two
luminous rings rose to the level of his
crowned head like the pinions Of the
cherubim i'll the pictures of old time. In
his hand he bore wand that he had
brought out of his fathers realm, and as
ne waved~it before him the air filed
with myriads of frost flakes; the little
laughing rivulet ceased her dancing and
became sheet of pearl. Fine, ETHEREAL
transparent as a veil, the breath of the
Frost Child diffused itself and made an
atmosphere about him as he flew The
branches of the cypress showeda glitter.
ing coat of mail when he went by, and
reeds, grasses and tender shrubs glittered
beneath the treasure he scattered.
He stopped before the palace of great
lady. IL will tell her some tales of my
fathers kingdom" he said and, forth
with he fell to tracing blossoming ferns
and glowing stars over all her window
panes. On all her laurel bushes he hung
wreaths of frost-fowers, aud decorating
her house and grounds he wrought ali
night, but in the morning vanished away,
SO that when the lady asked "Where is
the exquisite artist?" no one was able to
tell.
. He stood at last within q large and
brilliant city. From many a church
spire, silver bells rang in the happy
Christmas Eve. Waxen tapers sparkled
on the affairs and windows. The shop
windows flashed with forms of costly
beauty, blaze of Jewels. Everywhere
We're merry groups of men, women and
children hurrying to and fro. Christmas
trees showed through hall. open doors,
and gayety and good will filled the
streets. The Frost Child saw some
wanderers that he did not like; but being
a Frost Child and son of King Winters
he could not understand that they were
poor and suffering, and blamed them for
their sadness while all around were glad
Flashing in his jewels, unseen himself, he
mingled with the throng playing many {,
trick, touching with his wand the beard
OF some young man and frineing it with
white. On the cheek of beauty he froze
the tear ere it could fall; he tingled the
tnger-tips that were wrapped in sealskin,
and gave many child a slap on the
already too red cheek. With his wand he
drove some old men and women tiercely
over the ice of the pavements. He stop
ped to gaze in at the windows, always
leaving his pictures, stars, and ferns bios
soming all delicately fair on the smooth
table OF crystal.
At last he waited before window we'll
lighted in shop Of the second or third
grade, very pretty, but mostly in it were
displayed articles of use. This child
could not understand pain, hunger or cold.
No emotion had ever kindled within or
warmed the heart Of the Frost Child. A
beautiful Italian girl was looking in visit
fully at tippet Of gown, bright red
flannel petticoat, a hood and. a pair of
shoes. The extreme fever of exhaustion
had settled like red rose leaf on each
cheek; her feverish lips were slightly par
ted; her breathing was hurried and quick.
A soiled bouquet was in her hand, the
last remnant other day rs labor. The Frost
Child breathed upon it; it shriveled and
collapsed. A few small coins were in her
hand also but not enough to buy shoes,
tippet or hood. Unseen himself, the Frost
Child drew yet nearer to her heart; his
coronet of brightness touched her bosom.
She shivered little, trembled, and
walked up. The Frost Child followed.
now near and now atar off, but ever keep
ing her in sight. The two passed on up
the winding way of the city.
'She is more beautiful than the bright
ness of my fathers throne" whispered the
Frost Child to himself, II will steal her
away, and she shall be with me and nv f: ;
her alone in that solitary kingdom of
light" 80
II can go no farther, sighed the italian
girl; II am weary and must slcep.''
She sat upon the great cathedral s step,
and laying one arm on the next step
above, she rested on it her weary head.
The jubilant notes of the organ exult-
antly sang the songs Of May and the stars
They seemed to flood the church, and issu-
ing therefrom to surge and roll above her
dropping form like pillows of fire; for she
was no longer cold. The Frost Child
stood beside her unseen; but the shining
nimbus of his person enveloped both,
| Languor and sweetness, ease and rest
possessed her. So fell the Italian girl in
to long, long dream. The gay crowd of
the church passed out girls in dresser of
cleaning satin, and matrons in velvets
and diamonds; but none tarried to see the
girl who had fallen asleep on the fair
Christmas night, The Frost Child waited
by her side; more luminous his starry eyes
grew through the darkness of the Christ