Sacramento daily record-union., 1882-12-23
TIE MoTHER's CHRISTMAS.

NAAAAA-AIA-As1s
Before we knew where we we're, Christmas was
upon US. Time is thief he is forever stealing
upon us and robbing US of sunny moments; 4; he
ripens to destroy Joy vanishes, but sorrow re-
mains. Never, rever, though live to a hundred,
can forget that Christmas day
For two days the snow had fallen without cessa.
tion-heavy, thick, binding snow. There was no
telling when 1t would leave off. Tho streets were a
foot deep. Depend upon 1t that those who had 10
occasion to leave their houses were glad enough to
shut out the snow and tie wind and sit by their
firesides drinking hot-spiced wine. It had been
custom with me every Christmas at mid
ni.h for every person in my house
to assemble in my room, where we
drank each steaming glass OF wire of Annals own
making, TO a toast Of my composing. This was not
the only good cheer in which we INDUCED, you may
be sure and it had happened sometimes that friends
were with to help to get rid of the many splen-
did dishes which old Anna cooked for US Nicolas
Brand had hitherto been one among Us, but this
year only Anna was with me. Our Christmas was
not particularly joyous, but although guests sat
at my table did not allow it to pass without per-
forming an act Of charity which did no harm to at
least one poor family Exactly as the clock struck
l2 my faithful old housekeeper made Eer appear
ance, carrying jag of hot wiae, the fragrant
steam OF which was peculiarly delightful l fled
Annals glass and mine, and then We shook hands
and drank the toast, May all re alive this time
next year in health and contentment " Then Arna,
at my invitation, sat down the opposite side of
the fire, and we Tad half an hours chat
=" Tais is the quietest Christmas We have ever
SPENT" said. Just before you came in, Anna,
was feeling quite melancholy"
at does no harm-a little melancholy, said Anna,
=" though on this day only happiness should reign.
For my part, always at this time keep thinking of
the pocr and pltying them and wishing could help
them"
1t is only just to the memory of my old Anna to
say that she of the kirdest souls in exist
ence. She forever giving aws y-so much so
that she made it impossible to save moncy-and she
never spoke OF her charities. She could always zee
the bottom of her purse at Christmas.
We spoke of many things-of the storm raging
without, of Katrine Loebeg, cf Nicolas Brand, of
miser Pretzel, and wondered how they were spend
ing their Christmas. Then Anna told me pitiful
story of one Christmas long, long ago when she was
child, living with her mother who was very very
door, How that they had no home and were walk
ing through the cold snow, in grief ard darkness,
when they saw lights in the windows of farm
house. How they crept to the windows, and how,
although fierce dogs were chained up, they did not
even bark at Anra and her mother How they
peeped through the windows, and saw all the fam
lily SO happy that Anna began to sob. How her sobs
reached the ears of those within, and how the
ter came out, and after few questions brought
them into the house, whera they were fed, and
warmed, and made happy. She had nearly come to
the end of her story which she related with won
derful animation, when l held up my hand. She
asked why did So
''I fancied heard sound at the street docr,"I
said
We listened in silence, but heard nothing, and
told Anna to Proceed. Her story was just ended
when held up my hand again.
:" II seems to If l was hauated," said.
When listen, hear nothing. But cannot rest
unless satisfy myself"
went to the street door, and opened it. and
the snow and the bowling wind beat in upon me,
and almost blinded me. called out loudly many
times, and, receiving seeing any
thing, was about to close the door, with my mind
relieved, when Anna, who had followed me, gave
great scream, and, dartiug past me- fen upon her
knees. locked down, and behed her busy about
the form of a woman lying in the snow stopped
to assist her, and we carried the nsensJIe woman
into my room, ard laid her before the fire.
Poor thipg-poor thngl" said Anna, rubb
the womans hands and limbs. All, what stat
she is in Gcd bless u.s. l fear she is frozen
death" As she spoke these words, l recognize
the woman.
All" cried Anna, "you know her"
:" Yes" | said, pityingly, "this is Louisa Brand,
Nicolas Brands mother, for whom you made soma
soup on the day she to ask me TO take her son
as my apprentice do not wonder that you do not
recognize hershc is sadly, sadly altered. She has