Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1881-02-03
{ Written for the Beecon)
b R Eft.
CHAPTER XII.
sr ERIE.

The traditional yule log has been ne,
elected in these days OF CRATES and fur.
naces. We have our christianized rev
els, but many of US glide from one year
TO another with scarce dividing line
TO mark the transition; but the multitude
keep the good old fashion, and keeE
Christmas as time OF mirth and glad.
ness, Of receiving and giving gifts, ia
humble imitation of The wise men ofthe
East, who poured their rich gifts at the
feet OF the Infant Redeemer OF men
Young and old carol forth His praises
and all eyes are lighted with Joy. We are
unwilling TO have al delightful mysier,
cleared away, 50 tell with undisiurbed
gravity lew myths 10 the wondering
innocents of the time. Harmless -
All, yes. what harm can they dor The
children will learn better after awhile
AS the Nile Gibbs alter the overflow.
they SOW on the slime seed--does thi,
seed never spring up aud bear fruit
This black, ugly seed OF broken faith,
how soon il sprouts and increases "a
maturity! We cling to the to earliest
acquisitions ofchildhood with the great
est tenseity; the years that slip by seem
30 many weights pressing and repres.
sing what we have already gained deep
into our memory, and when we learn
that cherished idea is 10 be lelin-
quished, that we have been deceived.
the shock TO our inner nature il se-
we're. Childhood, if properly guided,
is most deeply sensitive TO right and
wrong, and can classify what We call
little sins" with promptness and ac-
curacy that puts 10 shame our time
hardened natures. They seem indeed
creatures fresh from the hand OF God.
Dickens pictures Little Nell, chiId
never touched by the soiling fingers oil
the world, a soul white and spotless. -
We weep with solemn Joy over the
empty casket of pure HE. II is sci.
dom, though, as we stumble blindly
over our earthly track, that We meet
with character to illustrate this inno-
cence, even in childhood. longed with
passionate earnestness TO attain the
unattaInable ia this world. wished to
be perfect in every respect, and would
foolishly despair and throw away my
>chan es, instead Of taking them and pro-
filing by wisdom gained through cor
rected errors.
Industry and perseverance, furnish
the royal highway TO all that is desira-
BILE. Without them, you can do moth
ing; with them, many things are posi-
BILE. The "iair and shining wheel OF
the Edda was throwing his rays in long
slanting lines upon US. Churches were
decked with symbolic greens, aud trees,
laden with kindly offerings, the sponta-
neous gifts OF loving hearts, were seen
in all houses. And in place OF won
drouS tales Of Fates and Furies, Mixes,
Elves, and all manner Of imaginary be-
ings, the Christian father gathers his
children about his knees and tells them
the wondrous story OF Christ's birth, or
leads them reverently TO His temple.
The day before Christmas was dark
and stormy. The wind had blown in
sulien gusts, aud now the sky was dull
aud leaden. Occasionally, few feath-
cry snowaakes would I'll slyly down
wards. The swan maidens were chary
with their feathers. and the great. drea-
Ty sky looked mercIlessly at the poor.
p1r essth il would 80 soon wrap in
Shite winding sheet. AS night came
over the city, shops glowed with
ght, in the glare Of which gorgeous
advertisements announced that IN each
store was to be found the cheapest and
best articles. Among such an assem-
blage of superiority, il was not wonder
full | hesitated long as TO which store to
enter, and finally entered at random. -
My purchases occupied but few mo-
ments, and once more on the street, |
walked leisurely towards quiet street,
listening fora we'll known step, for Fem
was to meet me there. A ringing tread
was heard on the pavement as be came
swiftly towards me, grasping my hand
and drawing it tenderly through his arm.
He looked down in my face so joyous
ly.
$50 we are out this evening.
thought we could not come to meet
Fem"
'SoI thought. but here | am, and
here you are-where did you come
from r.
Straight from Walhalla. Does not
conpanionshIp with gods impart gran
dehr to my classic physognomy"
You are absurd. should Judge that
association with WalkyrIes had turned