Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1883-12-21
miscellaneous.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

now u new from one laughing up TO
another trembling on the tongue of
decrepitudc; lisped by prattlng infancy
and falling like funeral knell on the
ear of the grief-strcken.
Little busy feet were running to and
fro, trumpeting the fame of good Santa
Claus" The pretty blue-cyed maiden
blushed as she placed her Christmas gift
on the betrothal finger, Yes, it might
have been ten times colder than it was,
and nobody would have known it, every
body's heart was so warm.
Sec that great house opposite How
bright the fre-light falls on those rare
old pictures on marble, and damask,
aud gold and silver Now they are
decking Christmas tree. Never u dia-
mond sparkled brighter than those child
rcn's eyes. IT'S all sunshine at+he great
house.
Kathleen sits Mt her low, narrow
window She sees it all There arc
no pictures on her walls though she
had known the time when they were
decked with the rarcst There is moth
ing there, now, that the eye would look
twice upon, save the fair, sad face of its
inmate. But it is not Of gided splcndor
she Is thinking
Last Christmas the wealth of noble
heart was laid at her feet Now she is
widow How brief word to express
such far-reachiDg sorrow Walter and
she were so happy. "Only Que voyage
more, dear Katie, and then will turn
landsmaD, aud stay with you on shore :"
and 81 Kathleen chung, weeping to his
neck, aud babe him a silent farewell.
And since. = q, how YEARLY pass
times lcaden footsteps 10 the watchful
eye and the listening ear Of love Her
eyes were with her heart, aud that was
far away.
Day after day crept on Then come,
at last these crushing words -"All On
board persisted -
With that short sentence, the light
Of hope died out in her heart, and the
green earth became one wide sepulcller
The blight fell early on so fair flower
There were many who would gladly have
lii again the love-light in those soft,
blue eyes but from all Kathleen turned,
heart-sick, away 10 her little lonely room
to toll, aud dream, aud weep and pray.
And now the twilight had faded away,
and tho holy stars, one by one, have
come stealing out TO witness her sorrow.
There she sits with filing eye and an
aching heart and watches the merry
group yonder. Life is so bright TO
them so weary to her, without that
dear arm TO lean upon. Could she but
pillow that dying head hear him say
but once more. II love you Kathleen"
But that despairing struggle with those
dark, billowing waves; the shrek for
"help" where no help could come that
strong arm and brave heart 80 stricken
down! Poor Kathleen
Blessed sleep!-touch those sad eyes
lightly. Torture net that troubled heart
with knocking dreams. See, she smiles =
warm flush creeps TO her cheek, and
drives away the tear. Sleep has restored
tac dear ono 10 her. Droain on while
you may, sweet Kathleen
"This is the house, sir. God bless
me, that yon should be alive That one,
sir, with the small windows. No light
there. Find the way. sir y w
Tap, tap, on tho window! Kathleen
wakes fron, that sweet dream to listen.
She does not .remble. for grief like hers
knows.nether hope nor fear. She is soon
appareled, and, shading the small lamp
with her little hand, advances 10 the
door its Pickering ray falls upon the
stalwart form before her. What is there
In It's outline TO palsy her tongue and
blanch her check? This tortaring sus-
pense IF the stranger would but speak
kathleen %
With Que wild cry Of joy she falls
upon his neck
Alb. little Katie Dreams are not al
ways mockery. A merry Christmas
to you fanny Fern.