American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1880-12-18
CHRISTMAS EVE SNOKFLAKES.

One Christmas Eve, as Deacon Brown
Was honeward going from the town,
A snowflake fell upon his nose
Said he: "well, declared it snowsi
If il will only snow all night,
Twill give the children such delight.
All yes, they II think ii jolly fun;
But there is many Il shiverfng ono
Win not be glad the snow to see.
Now tnens os Widow 6arr
ought to have remembered her
And tried to manage in some way
IN do It yeti I'll send some coal
To-morrow morning-yes, indeed
And other things that she may need"
And onward. cheerily. be went,
His heart aglow with kind intent
Just at that time another fake,
As big and cicd and wide-awako,
Fell plump on Farmer buttons eye,
As he was looking ut the sky.
To find what might the prospect be
As sure's live. it's Roin to snowl
Don't know as it s much matter, though.
The fowls s are n eomr table Fqe confes.
There hain't nobody round here got
A bigger nor a finer lot
Don't b'lieve he's even got hen
For Christmas dinner, they're so poor.
Now wouldn't hurt me, TO be sure,
To take turkey over there,
Ireckon more n likely 'swouid
Do all Of 'em power of good.
I'll do II. sure's live" said he:
One merry Christmas they shall see."
And on he went, with eager will,
His kindly purpose to fulfill
Another frosty snowflake fell
Upon the hand Of bright-eyed Nell,
As she was passing out the doors
OF one OF the bright. crowded stores.
ALL snowi'' said she. well let it snow;
I've not much further now to CO..
Into her mum her hands she slipped,
And, as she onward gayly tripped
She thought: How nice a mum to hold
Aw.<l E<<> fr,rx, af,nx md
There's Cousin Minnie-she has none.
uncle's too poor TO get her one
i wish she had nice things, like me.
Why, declared Just let me seel
I think I've money left enough.
And send it round at morning light,
Before she's fairly out of bed"
And on her errand kind she sped.
While boot-blnck Jimmie stopped to hear
Some Christmas carols, on his ear
Ha sn1p Hurr r IT'S COIN nj to sno%i
] tell yer that'l be just gay.
But there's poor little sister May
A-lyiu there SO sick in bed
She can't SO much as lift her head;
She couldn't see IL fit did snow.
Too bad she alters loved it so.
As soon as that there singin's through,
I'll take that bit Of ev'green tree
Her in the street right home ION s WITH me-
An don't hope twill snow fust-rate
All night, an cover 1t with snow2
An won't il please her mighty, though,
To see me fetchin' of ii inT
Twill make her chirker than she's been
Sence she wus took An 1 declare,
] guess I've got some cash to spare,
To buy somethfn' uncommon sweet
An temptin' like for her to cat.
An she shall have a Christmas. too,
The same as other peoples do"
So, when he'd heard the singing out,
His loving plans he went about
But OIL twould take q week to tell
The GOOD the snow-iakes, as they fell,
Did all unconsciously achieve
Upon that merry Christmas Eve
What suffering ones they brought TO mind,
What hearts they moved with impulse kind,
What chains of selfishness they broke,
What Christ-like charity they woke,
What tender thoughts they multiplied,
What ciose-shut purses opened wide;
And hearts there were that never knew
How much the snow-fiakes had to do
With their unwonted happiness
Such power have little things to bless.
-Ednnv Percfrdl, In N. Y. independent