Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-01-20
The Frost Child.
a. me even now

The Frost Child.
It was Christmas night, and from
his high northern home, where he sits
alone on 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
hair he wore a 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
chcrubim in the pictuIes of old time. In
his hand he bore a wand that he had
brought out of his fathers realm, and as
he waved it before him the air filled
with myriads of frost flakes; the little
laughing rivulet ceased her dancing and
became Il 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 showed glitter.
ing coat of mail when qe went by, and
reeds, grasses and tender shrubs glittered
beneath the treasure he scattered.
He stopped before the palace Of a 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-howers, aud decorating
her house and grounds he wrought all
night, but in the morning vanished away,
so that when the lady asked 'sWhcre is
the exquisite artist?" no one was able to
tell.
He stood at last within 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 ofjewels. Every where
were merry groups Of men, women and
children hurrying to and fro. Christmas
trees showed through half-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 a son of Ki1fg 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 y
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
tinger-tips that were wrapped in sealslin,
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
1 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 a 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 orcold
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, a bright red
flannel petticoat, a hood and a pair of
shoes. The extreme fever Of exhaustion
had settled like a red rose leaf on each
cheek; her feverish lips were slightly par
J ted; her breathing was hurried and quick
A soiled bouquet was in her hand, the
last remnant other day s labor. The Frost
Child breathed upon it; it shriveled and
. collapsed A few small coins were in he1
, 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 shiyered 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 W
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 hel
a away, and she shall be with me and my ia
9 her alone in that solitary kingdom OF
t light"
! 81 can go no farther, sighed the Italian
y girl; Il am weary and must Sleep"
She sat upon the great cathedral's step
. and laying one arm on the next stel
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 hel
o dropping form like pillows of fire; for sh.
/; was no longer cold. The Frost Chile
t stood beside her unseen; but the shining
Q nimbus of his person enveloped both,
Languor and sweetness, ease and res
e possessed her. So fell the Italian girl in
4 to long, long dream. The gay crowd O
|. the church passed out girls in dresser O
cleaning satin, and matrons in velyet
: and diamonds; butnone tarried to see thu
Y girl who had fallen asleep on the fai
7 Christmas night, The Frost Child waited
n by her side; more luminous his starry eye.
d grew through the darkness of the Christ
e mas night and sparkled like blades O
fine Damascus, the coronet set in the vel
e low brightness of his hair. He waved hi.
r wand three times above the head of The
t sleeping girl her form shriveled, and only
a little bit of pale white clay was left il
: her place, for the wrath Of the Italian
t flower girl, out of the nimbus that snr
:, rounded both, arose fairer than any Christ
s mas light, and with the Frost Child float
e ed awav-Ne3n York G,.nnh1c