Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-12-24

BY REV. II. NJ. KIEFFER.
For tic INTELLIGENcER.
/.
acl.''
Michae! was the old sexton of the village
church, and he and the pastor, Mr. Burnett,
were busy decorating the chancel of the
church for the coming festivities, one
stormy day before Christmas, now nearly
twenty years ago. With coat off and
pcrchcd high up on the ladder, while old
Michael hustled about amongst the coils of
greens Oh the floor, there the worthy
pastor sat, intent on his work, and yet busy
thinking bctimcs Of ono who was far away.
AS he cast glance out Of tho window, he
wondered whether it was SO cold and
stormy down there, Or whether they had
built their winter quarters, or were lying
out yet in their shelters, or were, may be,
on the move, or perhaps even now, as he
sat there, engaged III battle. Which,
God forbil,' said he to himself. "'Tis
surely no time now for men to fight when
the very angels of God arc chanting their
SWCCG Songs VI CdCc OH II'slII, NoOu
Will toward Men"
Absorbed thus in sad reflection on the
singular spectacle, as the angels must look
upon it, of half continent staining its
hands rcd with fraternal blood at this glad
season of peace, he had not observed old
Michael, who, with Outstrctchcd arms, was
holding the greens up towards him, and
had been obliged to call to him twice be-
fore succeeding in arousing him from his
reverie-
"Herc arc the green's, Mr.. Burnett"
so, Michael excuse me. l forgot all
about the green's
"What were you thinking about, Mr..
Burnett? About George? He was here
last year helping us at this work, remem-
Der and Just wonder where he is to-day :?
Such lively lad as he was. to be sure !!
Why, do you know, Sir, it don't seem to
me at all like CHI istmas without that boy.
Ever since he was baby he's followed inc
about the church, the graveyard, the par
sonasc and everywhere watched me dig
sing the graves, ringing the bell and light
ing the church, until do believe loved
him rs much us if he'd been my own child
instead of yours. Do you think it's as
it is herc?"
But the pastor made no answer, for Mi
chael's words had only served the purpose
of plunging him into deeper thought about
his boy; tall, .fair-haired, blue eyed
STRIPPING Of lad, whom he loved with all
the unutterablc affection Of a father for
his first-born son, and whom he had never
thelcss, strange to say, laid as sacrifice
on the altar of his country, even as Abra-
ham of old had stretched forth his hand
to slay Isaac at the call of the Lord.
At last the greens were all hung, and
the pastor walked over to his parsonage.
"Papa! papa!" shouted the children, as
he was heard at the door stamping the
snow from his shoes, "Papa, tomorrow is
Christmas -
"Kithmath,' - lisped little Madge, as she
climbed up on his knee and nestled back
in his arm, while Roo and Gertie mounted
OH either side of his chair.
eyes, children, tomorrow is Christmas.
And you arc all glad and happy, and that
is right. But papa is little heavy-heartcd
when he thinks of Gcordie so far away
from home. without any good warm house
and out in the cold, with little enough to
cat, fear, God help him, poor boy"
But Geordie is a soldier" said Rob,
IAN he doesn't mind it J.; cause when
soldiers gets cold an hungry, they says,
COu y CiaIC
Papa, will we lave Il Christmas trcc
this year, asked Gertie.
'sWcll, children, you'll have to get to
bed carly. so Santa Claus may have a
chance to bring it in and put it up.''
1t was sad work for tho pastor and his
wife, that putting up of the Christmas
tree. Neither spoke much while the orna-
ments we're being tied on, and tho gifts
for the children set forth in order beneath
the tree, for both were busy thinking of
their blue.cyed first-born, whose name
they scarce could mention now but with
tears. And when all was done, and to.
gcthcr they knclt down beneath the Christ |
mas tree and prayed earnestly and fcrvently
TO Him who had once been = child Himself. |
that rs the blessed Christ-Chi He would |
come aud abide in tho hearts Of the chill |
dren asleep in the chamber overhead, they |
mingled their tears as with broken utter. |
ance they prayed that Gods especial grace
and mercy might be with him who was
afar from home.
And where was George Burnett, or
Geord;e, as he was known in the family.
this Christmas eve, now nearly twenty |
ycarc aOOS The Scenc Of Oi1r story rnrSt