Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1883-12-20
TIE CHRISTMAS PRAYER.

= TIE CHRISTMAS PRAYER.
The winter day was growing old;
me evenings breath came hard and cold:
Great hocks of clouds, with wings of gray,
Shed feathery snow-fakes on their way:
ana an the city streets among
"A troupe OF breezes danced and sung
But though the frost was keen and bold.
ana tnough the air was biting cold,
thousand eayly stepping feet
went up and down the lighted street:
a thousand hands, with pressure tight,
were grasplng presents rich and bright:
thousand hearts were hasting home
10 hearts that longed to see them come;
ror wOndrous gladness filled the air.
And Christmas-eve was everywhere
When all the love that Jesus had
FOr little ones as, smiling, He,
win bending head, in kindness said:
nj FORBID them not to come to Me-;
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,
tnd leaves a trace of glory yeti
When all the kind thoughts of the year
Each leaves the day wherein il lay,
And TO one blessed time draws near!
Ihere Is no space that can possess
30 many smiles of happiness;
IL DAYS and nights could feel and see,
How happy Christmas-eye would bel
But il has not so sweet sound
In homes where children are not found:
ana IN one mansion rich and grand
"A wife and husband hand in hand
We're sitting by the firc-lights glow
And gazing on the streets below,
And, with sad hearts unrccOnciIed.
were thinking of a long-lost child.
Grief can its heaviest hand employ
when all around is heard the sound
OF silvery mirth and golden joy;
AND hearts that mourn oft heavier weigh
Nhen hearts that laugh are over-gav.
80 on the Christmas cheer without
rms lonely couple gaZcd about,
mhlle hungering once again to greet
The reckless rush of childish feet
cnstudicd ease was all abloom
ABOUT the richly furnished room:
Inc coa-f-firc'S soft and langud glare
N Mrotf Comfort" on the tempered air;
Unto the walls great pictures hung,
And treasures everywhere were flung;
Hlgh mirrors, free of stain or flaw,
were telling over what they saw;
NO place the pleased eye could explore
3}ut wealth had fingered there before
Ana yet, in many Il humber room,
A warmer comfort fought the gloom,
And Happiness more visits made.
teit more at home, and longer stayed.
ont in the country, near q wood,
Inc little old brown SchOOl-houSc stood,
AND waited, while the winter day
Looked darker from its eyes of gray,
for the rough door to open wide,
Awhile came sharply from within
Inc country schools peculiar din:
Then with glad shouts the children strode
Through the dim day their winding way
Along the white hard-beaten road,
To where farm-houseS chcered the sight
And lamps already glimmercd bright.
With unaSSumed. unconscious grace,
And pleasure dancing on each face.
They brought the presents all to mind
which they that eve We're to receive
Or in the early morning find.
y Old Santa Claus" that famous King
VI childish lore, was handled DER,
And all the treasures he might bring.
But look. with shouts and faces gay
They passed a poor-house on their way,
And "A sweet Notwithstanding child
From out window gaZed and smiled
To see the other children glad;.
But her poor wistful heart was sad.
You children who. with laughter gay,
And JOY that CLEANS e'cn through you
dreams,
Have presents on each festal day,
And, guarded by the efforts true
vi those who love and cherish you,
Look forward 10 the winters prime
As to a sweet and joyful time.
Till in your calendar enrolled,
Each Christmas-iay is marked with gold,
Pity poor children who must grievc
Because no presents they receive.
They look at yours with wiStful eye,
They smile 10 view each token new,
But III their heaItS they moan and sigh.
That night our little fricnlless one
when her poor evening meal was done,
Bowed low in grief her childish head
Upon the ragged poor-house bed,
And in sweet and pleading tore
She made a short prayer, all her own:
" Jesus. You who loved SO well
The little ones, of 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,
If they would ask they should receive.
u Jesus! please for me to find
Two good nice parents. sweet and kind,
AND ask them ii they will not spread
Some little presents by my bed,
That they my heart may cheerful make
Tomorrow morning when wake,
And be made as happy so
As other children that know"
She said amen" with reverence Deep
Closed her blue eyes, and sank asleep.
Still sat the childeSs couple where
The lights of luxury were fair.
Ana still, with thoughts al tempest-tosscd,
Each silent unused, with sad heart bruised,
Upon the child that they had lost.
But listen! with Il sudden clang.
The loudly-spcalliIg dCor-bell rang,
And detective face they viewed,
Mith patient lines deep marked and shrewd;
And scarce the parents questioning eye
Was met before he made reply:
:" come at last with tidingS new.
The c.llld I've sought SO long for you,
The child you lost Ave years ago.
Has lived, and lives. Her place | know
Tho beggar who, with Satans aid.
Stole her to help his pitcous trade,
Died in n country pOor-housC. where
He left the child, ana she is there.
Mistake or doubt can not beiall:
Here are the proofs; | have them all.
She is not very far away:
And you, if bold to bear the cold,
May see her ere another day" 81
To bear the cold.' What has she borne?
She shall not 20 1ger friendles: mourn.
The horsas-quick," And soon, in spite
or cold and sleet the champing feet
OF swift Steeds dashed in, 10 the night,
Until they halted just before
The great 20 lr-houSe's dingy 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,
dor the OLD matron overheard.
And told II II them every word.
Her Sleeping lace appeared to them
As some fair flower ar evenings hour
Low dropping on its weary stem;
But that soft praycr-in Heaven now
Had left its touch upon her brow;
Its grief and comfort they could trace
Upon the well-rememherSd face.
The mother yearned the child to press
In all her piteous loneliness,
But would nos yet her Slumber break.
And said: My darin Shall not wake
Until her prayer we answered see
As well and nearly as may be-
Rack whore proud presents, rich and new,
Hung in the lamp-,ignt's brilliant rays,
The envy of all childrcn'S gaze:
Which. ere another hour had fed,