The Hazlehurst signal., 1883-12-20
VOLUME III.
TIE CHRISTMAS PRAYER.

Grcat tlocks OF clouds. with wings of gray,
shcd fcathcry snow-tlakcs ON their way;
ana all the city streets among
troupc OF brcczes danced and suuv.
Hut though the frost was keen and bold.
And though the AIR was biting cold.
Thousand gayly stepping feet
A thousand hands, with pressure tight.
Were grasping presents rich and bright:
\ thousand hearts were hasting home
To hearts that longcd to see them come;
For wnndruus gladncss filled the air.
And Christmascye was everywhere.
Sweet Christmas-cve, .crencly gladi
when all the love that Jesus had
for little ones, aS. smiling. He,
win bending head, In Kindness sah'
Forhid thcm not to come Tn No;
When this sweet love. with little lack,
seems all at once reflected back,
As the great sun, though long time set,
Against the clouds In splendor crowds,
And leaves "a trace OF glory Yeti
when all the Kind thoughts of the year
Each caves the day wherein II lay,
And 10 one blessed time draws near!
There Is no space thar can possess
10 many SMILES ot happiness;
IL days and nights could feel and see,
How happy Christmas eve would be!
but N hss not so swccts sound
In homes whcro children arc not found;
And ia one mansion r'ch and grand
a wife and husband hand in hand
Were sitting by the IN e-lght's glow.
And gazing on the STREETS below.
And. with std hearts unrcconcici.
Were thinking OF n long-loSt child.
Grief can it, heaviest hand employ
When all around l. heard the sound
OF silvcry mlrth and golden joy;
Aud hearts that mourn oft heavier weigh
when hearts that laugh are ONcrgAy.
So on the Christmas cheer without
This lonely couple ga,ed about.
While hungcglng once again to greet
The reckless rush OF childish feet.
Instudicd ease was all ahlOom
About the richly furnished room:
The cOal-hrc's soft AMI langud glare
Wrote Comfort ON the tempered air;
Unto the walls great pictures hung,
And treasures everywhere were lung;
High mirrors, free OF stain or raw,
Were telling over what they saw;
No place the pleased eve could explore
But wealth had fingered there before.
And Yet, IN many humber room,
a warmer comfort fought the gloom,
And Happiness more visits made.
Felt more az home. and longer stayed.
Out In the country, near wood,
The little oil brown schOo'-houSc stood,
And waited, while the winter day
Looked darker from it, eyes of gray.
For the rough door to open wilc,
And noisy youngsters rush outside.
Awhile came sharply from within
The country schools peculiar 'ltn.
Then with glad shouts the children strodc
Through the dim day their winding way
Along the white haTd.bcitcu road.
To where farmhOuscs chccrcd the slRht,
And lamps already glimmercd bright.
with unuSsumcd, unconscious grace,
And pleasure dancing on each face,
They brought the presents all 10 mind
Which they that eve were tO receive
CIR IN the early morning iind.
Old santa Claus" that famous King
pfchillish lore, wa handled DER.
And all tie treasures he might bring.
hut look. with shouts and faces gay.
They passed poor house ON their way.
AVtI H..s.t Lgtfaer chi
Prom out "a window gzcd and smiled
TO see the other children glad;
Hut her poor wlstful heart was sad.
You children who. with laughter gay.
And Joy that CLEANS cen through you
dreams.
Have presents on each fcstal day,
And. guarded 10y the efforts true
OF those who love AMI cherish YOU,
LOOk forward Ia the winters prime
A. tO ~ sweet aud JOYFUL time,
Till In your calendar enrolled,
Each thristmas'lay j. marked with gold,
Pity ToDr children who must grievc
because no presents they receive.
They look at yours with wistful eve,
They smile to view each token new,
Hut In their hearts they moan and sigh.
That night our little fricn Hess one,
When her poor evening meal was done,
BOwc low in giict her childish mead
Upon th" rug gel poOr-hOu~e bel,
And IN n sweet a'd pleading tore
She made short prayer. all her own:
80 Jesus. You who loved ~O well
The little ones Ot whom they tell
That when these came To- You one day,
You would not have them sent away:
You said To- all those who believe,
N the, would ask they should receive.
Jesus please tor me to iind
Two good nice parents. swC 4 and kind,
And ask them u they will not spread
Some little presents 10y my bed.
That they my heart May cheerful make
Tomorrow morning when wake,
And be made us happy 20
As other children that | know"
She Sail amen" with reverence deep,
Clos, her blue eyes and sank asleep.
still sat the chilllcss couple where
The lights OF luxury were fair,
Aud s3iil. with thoughts n'l tcmpesttosscd,
Each silent unused, with sal heart bruised,
tpOn the child that they had lost.
hut listen. with sudden clang.
The loudy-spcaking dOor-hcll rang,
And n detectives face they viewed.
With patient lines deep marked and shrcwd;
Aud scarce the parent questioning eye
Was met before he made reply;
e" I come at last with tdings new.
The cLld I've sought SO long for you,
The child you lost i've years ago,
Has lived. and lives. Her place know.
III" bcggar who. with Satan's aid.
Stole her To help his pitcOus trade,
Died in country poor house, where
He lett the child. and she II sthcrc.
Mistake or doubt can not bcfall:
Here are the proofs; have them all.
She l. not very far away;
And you, II bold Ia bear the cold,
MAY see her ere another day.
"'To bear the cold!' whn' has she bornel
She shall not longer friendlcss mourn.
The horscs-quick." And soon. ia spite
OF cold and slcct. the champing feet
or swift stecds dashed into the night.
Until they halted just before
The great poor-houses dlngy door.
And soon the parents softly crept
Into the gloom OF one small room,
And watched their darling while she slept,
And. weeping. listened To the prayer
Which she that night had offered there.
(for the old matron overheard.
And told IL to them, every word.
1icr sleeping face appeared To them
As some fair Hover at evenings hour
Low dropping ON its weary stem;
hut that soft praycr-in Heaven now
Had left It's touch upon her brow;
Its grief and comfort they could trace
Upon the well-rcmembcrSd face.
The mother yearncd the child To press
In all her piteous loveliness,
but would not yet her slumber break.
And said: MY daring shall not wake
Until her prayer we answered see
AS well and nearly as may be-.
And soon the sleek swift horses few
Back where proud presents. rich and new,
Hung i'm the lamp-llgnt's brilliant rays,
The envy OF all childrens gaze;
which. ere another hour had He'd.
Hands softly bore, and placed before
The little slecpers lowly bed.
She woke at last: and. wondering. threw
A swift glance keen upon the scene
That burst upon her startled view.
A vast amazement filled her face;
The room was like fairy place.
No toy she wished but II was there;
Bright presents giittered everywhere.
No gift her thought had learned 10 prize
hut 10 was spread before her eyes:
And presents made her young heart glow
Whose very names she did not know.
But lookl a man with step OF pride,
And sweet lady by his side
More beautiful and high OF mien
Than any she had ever seen.
Came. and above her wept and smiled,
And called her their poor iong-lost child!
Tie Christmas morn rose clear and bright;
And through the flashing nelds OF nght
A band OF angels sweet and fair,
II seemed 20 mo. cafne far 10 see
Thar answer 20 the Christmas prayer.
-VM Carleton. Ia Hdrper's fOuno fsops
OyE CHRISTMAS MORN.