The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1881-12-22
- ele ct II nl e 4.
ADA VAN HASSAN.
A CHRISTMAS STORY.

blazing bre 10 luxurious apartment
sat q young girl aud middle-aged
man. earnestly engaged in conversas
ton.
II tell you, Ada, IL is no use to
urge me. I will never consent.
You, q Jewess, to marry q Christian
and join the Christian church 7 Nev.
re Have | not suffered enough from
Christians alreadyf Do they not
despise US because, aud only because
We are Jews I Now, girl, remember
what I say. Marry Herbert Gray,
aud join their church, and I'll turn
you out of doors without a penny"
But. father. suppose we are
wrong, and the Messiah has come I"
The man quivered with rage, and
springing to his feet he confronted
the girl with glaring eyes.
"You have said enough he tbun-
dered. "never let me hear that word
again. and taking his hat he started
from the room,
Ada Van Hassan turned dreadly
pale, not at the threat, though she
we'll knew her father meant what he
said. but his intense hatred to Chris
tiauity filed her with sorrow. She
had lately found that "Jesns of
Nazareth was iodeed the Messiah.
and beliving on him, his blessed
peace had come into her heart, filling
it with joy and gladuess. But she
had not as yet made public pro
fession, and she wished to do 80 on
the morrow, the blessed Christmas
day, aud bad asked her fathers per-
mission. 1t was this request, to-
gether with the knowledge that she
loved Herbert Gray, q Christian
minister, that had aroused her faith
er's wrath.
Softly the door opened, aud Ia
dy entered who, gliding quickly
to the girls side, drew her head on
her bosom aud kissed her fondly.
MY deer little Ada, mother is so
sorry for you. But, my child" she
continued hesitatiugly, "need it be p
"Mother, don't tempt me-" Adas
voice was husky, and il evidently
Required q great effort to keep from
breaking down.
"Forgive me, dearest child"
For u little while there was ST.
lence broken only by the falling of a
coal from the glowing CRATE.
Mother" said Ada abruptly, 81
wish yOm believed the Messiah had
come"
II wish I did. my child" was the
low spoken answer, but further con
versatiou wa interrupted by the re.
turn OF the husband and ftther
His brow was still dark, and he paid
no attention to either wife or daugh
ter. but seating himself at q table
drew forth q paper and pretended to
read. Yet in reality his heart smote
him for his harshness to his favorits
child. aud he glanced furtively at
her as'she sat there with pale cheeks
and closed eyes. But pride thai
night was stronger than love, and
bis "good night, Ada,' when she left
the room for her own apartment
was cold and formal.
Poor Ada Her mothers fond
embrace failed to comfort her and
even her lovers letter so CHEEKY and
bright brought not the solace it usu
ally did, and with heavy heart she
locked it in her desk. Then turning
down the gas, aud throwing heavy
shawl around her, she stepped out
on the balcony. H,w bright the
stars were But bark |! what is that
A sweet childish voice is singing a
Christmas carol. Nearer and nearer
il comes.
"Glory to God in the highest and
peace on earth, good will toward
men,"
How sweetly the chorus rang
Ada felt the peace stealing into her
heart. "Peace upon earth," the
murmured as the strains died away
''Oh blessed One, who once was q
little child, may my dear father and
mother soon fud Thee and adore
Thee as their Msssiah."
She rs-entsred the room and ere
long slumber had closed her weary
eyes.
Christmas day dawned clear and
bright, aud happy grsetings an ]
merry laughter we're heard on al
sides.