Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-10
Concerning Christmas.

Dear Young People Of the Waterman -
All day long have thought of you, and by
the leave of the editors have concluded to
write you letter this evening about the APP
preaching Christmas and what glorious
time, it is to be sure Its coming shines
from afar and brightens all the days for
weeks before with happy anticipations.
trust it isn't solely because you expect to re-
ceive presents, but because you are to make
them as well as receive them. l am think.
ing how this very moment your brains are
busy devising ways and means (you will
doubtless fall short as to means) whereby
you may remember your friends Some of
your dett little fingers, perhaps, have toiled
all day long with worsted aud cardboard,
scraps of silk and bits of ribbon, dear knows
what not, but am sure the result will be
something dainty and pretty. Aud what
wondrously handsome and useful articles
you boys can fashion with that bracket
Jaw of yours, as have reason to know from
past experience. What whispered consulta
ions are necessary What secrets exchanged
What fun The very person you wish not
o see is sure to pop in upon you in the
midst Of your labors of love for them, and
hen what futter you are in and how
sainly you try to hide your work.
Dear me, how delightful it all is and
vet it takes deal of patient and skillful
abor But sincerely hope all you give as
veil as receive will afford you much Joy
Ind gladness of heart, although it isn't pos
IDLE that eusry gift should be exactly what
,ou could wish, but am sure we all should
be thankful to be remembered at all, when
We think there are some who will not have
ven penny's worth of candy given them.
Aud it is OF these want to write you.
IN going to propose that each one of you
hould do something for some one who would
| perhaps have no present but for you. A
cry small gift kindly given, with Merry
Christmas" will "silver tip" the day which
night otherwise be dismal enough. Just
hink how forlorn and frendless you would
feel, if you had received nothing while all
'our companions were loaded with presents.
Now some you, know, have parents who
pend dollars for you every Christmas, and
wouldn't you be willing to have them give
'ou in money part of it, say one-tenth, and
you use it for somebody who perhaps has
10 one to make Christmas a glad time for
hem Isn't there some boy or girl in your
eighborhood or school who may be without
apor mittens q know of a boy who sadly
reeds pair of boots), and couldn't you
'oys and girls set your wits to work and
upply their needs ? Put your mites to-
| either and see what you can do. How very
title china doll costs, aud yet how it
would rejoice the heart of some child who
nay have nothing else to rejoice in on
Christmas day. And so, please, some of you
emember on that day the old gentleman or
ady who lives near you, and whom every
'ody else seems to have forgotten. You
an, at least, wish them "merry Christ
mas" and divide your sweetmeats with
hem. | know you have many ways for
very penny you can get, but surely some of
our friends would prefer less expensive
resents, or go without alto ether, If thereby
'thers are made glad.
Think of these things, dear friends, and
|, unto others as you would have them do
| INTO you in like circumstances.