Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-12-23
ALEXANDRIA, VA SATURDAY EVENING. DECEMBER % 1859
LIE C2PIAG'& CHRISTMAS TREE.
FROM tMc a..r,NA,l. hv HaNarl rnNlurl

From the German, by B:.yard Taylor,l
Aii orphan boy. with weary feet,
On Christmas f.rc. alone, beuightcd,
Went through the Gown from street TO street
10 see the clustering candles lighted
In homes where happy children meet.
Before each house he stood. to mari:
The pleasant pau.!.s that s.Ouu so fairly;
The taper; lighted park by spark,
Till all the tree were blazing rarely:
And sad his heart was IL IL" dark.
lie went he cla> ped HI, bands aai cried
"Ah. every cii.G Tonight r:io;ccS:
Their Christmas pTVscu!s Nil d.:iic.
Around their trees with merry Voices:
But Christmas Is to lac denied.
Once with my sister. hana in h.ua.
AT home, how did NY tree delight NC.
No other tapcrs skoue 50 .si"UG;
But all forget uv, none invite Hlc,
Here lonely N the strangers land.
''Will no one let n.c in TO ,halc
The light, 10 take some corner ni.,h il?
In all these houses can; they spare
4 spot where may sit in gui"l.-
4 littlc seat among them there?
"Will 10 one let me in Tonight:
will not beg for gift or token:
| only ask to see the sight.
And hear the thanks Of others spoken.
And that will be my own delight
He knocked nj every door and cate:
lie trapped 1t windew- pane "Ui shutter:
But 10 ouc heard ard babe ain wal
Or came the welcome IN iout!r.:
Their cars were duil Ia outrs i;.,l
Each father looked wish eyes i;a smiled
Upon his happy children only;
Their gifts thcir mothers heart h"gllud
To think Of them; none suw the lanriy
Forgotten boy. the orphan child.
20 Christie child, holy. kind and dear.
| have no father and no mother.
Nor friend save Thee. to give nc cheer.
BE thou my help. there Is none other,
Since all forget me, wandering here"
The poor boy rubbed his hands sn blue.
His little hands the frost made chilly:
His tattcrcd clothes he closer drew.
And couchcd within Il corner stilly.
And prayed and knew rot what to do
Then, suddenly, there shonea light,
Along the street approaching nearer
Another child, in garments white,
Spakc as he calnc-and clearer, dcarer,
His voice made music in the night!
Il am the Christ. Have thou no fear.
WAS a child in my probation,
And children unto mc are near
| hear and heed thy supplcatiou,
Though all the rest forget thee here.
MY sivin. word to all hear,
And equally to each It's given;
] bring the promise ofmy care
Here. in the street beneath the heaven
As well as in the chambers there.
And here. poor boy. thy Christmas tree
Will adorn and so max" glimmcr
Through all this open space, for the
That those within shall twinkle DINNER,
For bright Is thine they cannot be-
The Christ.child. with his shining hand
Then pointed up and 10 ! the lustrcS
That sparkle Ihcre. lie saw it stand,
\ tree o'crhun- with starry clusters
On all its branches wide and grand
So far aud yet SO near! the night
Was blazing with the tapcrs' splendor:
What was the orphan buys delight,
>. uow beat his bosom warm and tender,
TO see ms tnrisl!m:s tree. 81 nri:nr.
Il seemed tu him 4 happy dream;
Then. from the starry branches bending.
The angels stepped, aud through the slcam
They lifted him 10 peace uncnding,
hey ioiirl him in lo"c supreme.
The orphan cI.id IS now III rest;
No fathers care lie needs. nor mothers.
Upon the Christ-ch!d'S holy breast,
All that is here bestowed on others,
lie ther, tnrgct* whcrc all is best.