The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-12-24
Margaret ArnOld's Christmas.

Margaret Arnold laid letter on the
in the hall, where were other let
tiers awaiting the hour of mailing, and
tripped upstairs cheerily, with smile
on her lips and in her dark eyes.
She even hummed n little song softly
as she passed through the nursery and
entered the school-room; and the chill
dren ceased their noisy play to run after
their governess and climb into her lap.
what makes you sing, Miss Ar
noldp" questioned the little Elsie. "You
haven't sung for so long, and you look
so tired always. You don't look sorry
tonight, though. What is making you
gladP"
The child laid her head against Mar
garets shoulder caressingly as she spoke,
and patted her governess's cheek with
a soft, tiny hand.
"Why do singp" replied Margaret.
"Oh, Elsie, don't you know Christmas
is coming, and we ought to be glad
oughtn't we, dearPp
"Our house is jolly at Christmas
time, l tell you!' interrupted Harry, a
boy of seven winters. who had himself
been a Christmas gift to his mother, and
who, as a consequence, enjoyed an un-
his birthday. ats awfullv Jolly, and
we have lots of company. do you have
nice times at your house, Miss Arnold Pn
1--WE used to. when was little girl,
Harry, but there are only two of us now
mother and land our Christmas
days are quiet, although very happy,
when we are together"
WON'T you be glad to get home again,
Miss Arnold? I'd be awfully homesick
away from mamma so longw
And Margaret replied, gently:
"Glad to get homep Oh, Harry, if
you only knew how gladm
The opening of the schoolrOom door
interrupted the conversation, and Mrs.
Granger entered.
"Oh, here you are. children. Papa
was asking tor YOU. Run down stairs. "
Then, as the little feet were patting
merrily through the hall, the lady
turned to her gOverness.
. | came to say, Miss Arnold, That it
will be impossible for you to go home
this year for Christmas. My daughter
Isabel expects company to remain with
us during the holidays, and you can I'M
derstand how troublesome the children
will be without your care. am sorry
but, after all, it can't make much differ
ence to you, presume, and really your
presence will be absolutely necessary TO
me-"
She withdrew herself and her trailing
robes from the schoolroom, as Margaret
bowed a silent reply to the command
which had instantly driven the gladness
of only a few moments previous from
her heart.
What did she know of the glad plans
and hopes which the children's gov
erness had ventmed to form in honor
OF the coming season of Joy and peace
Or. if she had known this woman oi
fashion and ease, would she have cared
But the twilight shadows came on and
filled the schoolroom with gloom rs
dark as the gloom which crowded the
sunshine from out Margaret's heart, anC
presently the girl went wearily out O.
the room and down the stairs.
Thomas, the footman, was just gather
ing the letters from the table for tht
purpose of mailing them; but Mar
garet's voice arrested him.
Thomas, there is a letter TO my
mother amongst those; will you kindly
hand it to mep"
The letter, with all its words of lovinl
cheer and glad anticipations for tn
lonely, widowed mother far away, wa
laid quietly upon the Goals and burned
before Margaret's eyes ere she Lighted
the gas and penned, with trembling
hand, another whicu must 60 in it
place.
The tears were dry, and the patien
heart had grown yet more patient, afte
he following lines were written and ad