Connecticut western news., 1882-12-20
burning and the tree laden with pres

tainly be beautiful to see house after house all illuminated and every face happy. If we could have ours lit up, l could even fancy that I saw the infant Jesus in the arms of his mother beside the manager, Joseph the carpenter stand ing by, and the three wise men from the East lowing down-just such @ picture as have often seen in papa's Bible."
 One of the girls, the elder, with tears in her eyes, said, "Yes, if papa were alive now we too would have onr house illuminated like the rest of the village people and we would have just as many nice presents as other children
 Upon the mention of their father, Bogumil and the younger sister began to l cry, but the brother quickly wiped away his tears, saying:
 "I know what I'll dol have not been idle of late, but have carved several small pieces of wood into toys, represent ing both animals and plants, and laid them away. I need not be ashamed of my workmanship. I, too, will go into the village and see if I cannot find a purchaser, and should I succeed there | I'll bring home & lot of wax candles and | place them upon the tree; also will get something nice for mother and you to eat."
 As Bogumil was about to open the door and his sisters turned to beg of him not to leave them alone, they saw sud- denly a peculiar ray of light stream through the window into the room. It was of such strength that the children knelt down on the floor from fright, and when they looked up they could not speak from amazement, for the two sugar dolls, which were given to them in the forest stepped down from the tree and walked about the room. Their wings were stretched out wide and the l little golden bells on their shoulders kept on ringing. Presently they began to place many candles all about the tree, some of which were very beautiful, representing flowers, birds and other nice things, and which were burning brightly.
 While all three were silent with fear, awe and delight, one of the sugar dolls which had so suddenly been transformed into an angel went to the door and opened it. The children plainly heard the run ming of sleigh bells and footsteps, and when they dared to look they saw their old friend of the forest who had told them he was Swienty Nikolaj He wore the same fur cap and coat, but his bag seemed to be ever so much larger. He set the bag upon the floor, and said:
 sLittle simpletons, why did you bolt your door? Were you afraid that Boruta would come and take you? As if could not open all the doors in Christendom should so desire, ha, ha, hap he said, laughingly.
 Upon which he opened the bag and took out ever so many things. It seemed to the little ones that Swienty Nikolaj must have stood under the window is- tening, for he placed upon the tree just the very things they had wished they could see others enjoy, though they might not be able to have them them selves.
 And from very delight they could hardly breathe They did not know whether the things belonged to them to keep or were only placed there for them to look at, for they did not dare to ask good Swienty Nikolaj although his face was so beautiful and pleasant, but re- mained as still as mice.
 Soon, however, soft steps were heard, "Oh here is dear mother, let us go and meet her p
 As they were about to go another wonderful sight met their eyes. They sank to the ground in terror, for in place of their mother there stood the Virgin Mary bearing in her arms the infant Jesus, his face full of smiles, while the right hand was extended to bless them; in his left was crowned scepter with a cross above it, and over his head was a halo, the light of which was thousand fold stronger than that of all the candles of the illuminated Christmas tree, and when Jesus again smiled at them, and as it seemed was about to open his lips, they in unison softly whispered:
 "Holy Jesus, we thank thee that thou didst come from heaven to bless the poor and needy widow and orphans
 When they tried to reach out their arms the vision and light gradually faded away, and when they again dared to look about the room, the angels, Swienty Nikolaj and the strange light had van- : ished.
 ) But the candles on the tree continued to burn as bright as ever, and also the many presents which Nikolaj had taken from his great bag remained, filling not only the room but the whole house from ) garret to cellar.
 7 When finally the mother made her way homeward, empty-handed with heavy l heart to her children, she was filled witt , anguish, and a trembling shiver tool possession of her as she saw from the dis tance her house all illuminated knowing that there was nothing in the house tt 7 give light, she feared that in some way 5 an accident had occurred and tha l the house had caught fire, and ran a 2 fast as she could.
 5 But when at home her fears and grief wer 3 turned to joy. She found her little broot t dancing merrily, having stilled their hun r ger from the many good things that wer f to be seen all around them. After hay ing enjoyed themselves to their heart l content, the mother placed them all il