The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-12-29
Ghilaren's Column.
The Christmas Tree.


falling steadily all day, and towards night
the wind had risen, till it was really fear
full to hear it moaning and signing AID
bowling around the house, as it tore up
the masses of snow and flung them against
the windows, or threw them into great
heaps, like miniature hills and mountains
Many an old lady, as she sat knitting
before her comfortable fire, on hearing a
louder, fiercer howl of the wind, exclaim-
ed, "God pity the poor this bitter night.
HoaO does God pity the poor? He does
not send down bread and meat and warm
clothing from heaven to supply their
wants, but he puts it into the hearts Of
their brethren and sisters of the human
family to visit them in their affliction"
All, "the poor we have always with you,
and when ye will, We may do them good.
The moaning and bowling of the wind
passed almost unheeded in the brilliant
parlor of Mr.. M, where a group of
happy children were as embed around
Christmas tree, whose top reached to the
lofty ceiling, and whose branches, illum-
ined by many gay colored wax tapers,
hung laden with tokens Of affection from
one member of the family to another.
rate the beautiful things which were on
the Christmas tree. There were presents
for grandma and father and mother, made
by busy little fingers; there were toys
and candies, and baskets and boxes; there
were dolls seated among the branches;
and hanging from the end of some of the
boughs were little purses, with half dol
lars In them-presents from grandma to
each of the children.
After the presents had been distributed,
and sufficiently admired, and thanks and
kisses had been exchanged, the children
engaged In a merry game, in the midst
of which little Ellen, who had been run
ming through the folding doors, came
hastily up to her mother, and whispered
in her ear,
Mamma, there is a poor little girl out
in the hall by the stove; she seems almost
frozen, and when I offered her some of my
candy, she thanked me, but said she would
rather have piece of bread What
strange child, mamma, to like bread bet
ter thru candy"
Perhaps, if you had nothing to eat
all day, you would like bread better than
candy too, Ellen" said her mother, ris-
ing to go and speak to the child, the
children all following her into the ball
where do you live, my child p she
asked.
In Fishers-lane, ma am"
Are your parents living?"
Fathers been dead year, a'am,
and mothers lying very sick she thinks
she is going to die
"Did your mother work when she was
well"
ooh yes, ma am, and I never had to
beg bit, till since mothers been so i'll Z"
And why did you come out this
stormy night?"
ooh, I've had to take care of mother
and the little ones all day; and tonight
the landlord-hes a very bard man,
ma 'am-came in and said, if the rent was
not paid tonight, he would put US all in
the street; for another family wanted the
room; and mother said there was no way,
but for me to come out and try to raise the
rent"
Glow much do you owe2" asked Mr..
"Half a dollar week, we owe for
four weeks, sir
Have you any wood?"
"Only some bits pick up about the
street, sir
"Have you had food to-day?"
Some bits of dry bread, sir; I could
not leave mother to beg food to-day"
A greater contrast could hardly have
been presented, than that between the
miserably clad, half frozen, half starved
little beggar girl, and the group of
bright, happy, gaily dressed children,
with their hands full of beautiful gifts
and tear stood on the poor child's
cheek, as she looked into the cheerful,
warm parlor, and thought of the cold,
dark room at home and the sick mother
and starving little ones there.
All the time Mrs M was CUES
tioning the poor child, little Ellen was
pulling at her mothers dress; and in
every pause in the conversation, she
whispered, Mamma, may give her my
half dollar? Do, mamma, let me give
her my half dollar"
The children soon perceived that their
father was putting on his great coat and
socks, and tying up his face, as if pre-
pairing for an encounter with the storm.
Crowding round him, they exclaimed,
Why, papa, dear papa, are you going
ont this dreo dfu1 pioht Q"