The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-12-30
CHRISTMAS.
FROM THE GERMAN.

CHRISTMAS.
FROM THE GERMAN.
Augusts and Lottie had not wakened
so happy as to-day for whole year, for
they had dreamed all night of the ght-
tering lights of the Chrlstmas-tree that
last night sparkled before them 80 glo-
riously, when the clock called them,
after short impatient waiting, into the
great hall, and Of the many beautiful
presents, with which their dear parents
had heightened their Joy on Christmas
eve. Reluctantly had they turned last
night from all the splendid things to go
to their rest. But as soon as the friend
~ sun again shone on the white roofs,
they were quickly dressed te see once
more their Christmas presents and re-
joice over them. The morning slipped
away in great glee, and when at noon
the SUMS beams made it so lovely with
out, and the icicles on the windows be-
gan to melt, Augusta asked her sister
if she did not wish to go in company
with their brother to grove near BY, to
see the fir-t1ces, which God had adorned
so beautifully with the white hoar frost.
Little Lottie was quite eager to go, and
brother William was easily persuaded to
do his sisters a favor. They quickly
threw on their cloaks, put or their warm
winter hats, and 80, we'll shielded from
the cold, they skipped cheerful and hap.
py into the open air, despite the winter.
The air cut keenly and painted their
| cheeks red, but in their warm clothing
they thought nothing o. it, and were
soon in the grove of tir-trees. Here it
was really beautiful to see how the trees
| stood with their green branches hung
with white frost that the sun made
sparkle like diamonds. IT
20 how beautiful!'' said Augusta.
"The trees sparkle almost as brightly as
our Christmas tree did last night with
it's many iights.'' But suddenly she was
still, for she noticed not far from them a
boy in poor half-torn garments, who
shivered with cold, held his stiff hands
to his mouth and cried bitterly. Near
him lay small bundle of brushwood,
that he had evidently just gathered.
"What can all the poor child" said
Augusta, full of sympathy, ''that even on
! Christmas day he is so sad9''
The children went nearer and asked
him wig he cried So.
&c." said the boy, my father is sick,
and my mother cannot earn enough to
feed US ana keep US warm, so I must
gather wood to keep my father from
freezing. But am SO glad to do it, for
my poor father Is so good, and my dear
mother cries so much. To-day though,
it is really too cold.''
Then he began to cry louder. Mean
we'll at HIM. Now they saw we'll enough
that his poor clothes did not protect him
from the cold, and tor that reason he had
to cry. For some time they all three
stood silent and looked at the poor boy
sadly, and tears came in Augustus eye.
Then she put her hand into her purse,
took the money that she had with her,
and gave it to the poor boy. Lottie and
her brother did the same, for they were
all deeply moved by the boys story. He
was greatly astonishcd, and looked at his
benetactors IN silence. Then he wiped
the tears from his eyes and sought to ex.
press his thanks and happiness.
20 how glad my mother will be- said
he. SHOW she can cook some broth for
father, and build up the fire, so that we
can all be real warm
Then he took his bundle Of wood under
his arm and hurried joyfally away: The
children accompanied him, and he had
to tell them on the way what his father 8
name was and where he lived.
IF your parents are so poor" said
William, ''you can't surely have had q
single Christmas present"
TO-" said the boy, ''if I could only
have had something 20 eat! But my
mother had nothing, and so had Is GO
to bed hungry"
The children went on their way silent
and rejecting, and when they reached
home again, their first act was to tell
their mother of the poor boy who had
had no Christmas presents, and, besides
suffered much from hunger and cold.
"O,dear mother" said Augusta, .sbroth,
er William has surely some old tclothet
that the poor boy can have. Lottie and
I will hunt for something else that he
can use, and, if you will let us, we viii
make him a present
Their mother gladly consented. JUS
then their father came, and since hi
knew the boys father to be very up
right and industrious man, he deter
mined to do something too for the relie'
Of the unfortunate family.
s.How would it d." said their mother
''to hurry and get everything ready, sent
for the boy tonight, and then surpris,
him with the presents? Then he could
enjoy this Christmas too, when every
body Is so happy.
s.Oh, that's splendldv' cried Augusta
and she hurried swiftly away with he
brother and sister to look for everything
with which they wanted to rejoice Thu
poor boy at evening. When they hat
bought the clothes, little Lottie said, 8,