West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1883-12-21

Welt more mt home, and longer stayed.
out I'm the country, near wood,
me little old brown schoo-hOuse stood,
And wnited, while the winter day
Looked darker from its eyes of gray
FOR the rough door to open wide.
Anc noisy youngsters rush outside.
awhile came sharply from within
The country schools peculiar din:
linen with glad shouts the children strode
Through the dim day their winding way
Along the white hard-benten road
To where fArm-houses checrel the sight
ana lamps already glimmercd bright.
WIN uuhssumcd. unconscious grace
And pleasure dancing on each face
Ihey brought the presents all to mind
winch they that eve We're 20 receive
or IN the curly morning find.
Old santa Claus that famous King
Otch!ldish lore. wa handled DER
Anu All the treasures he might bring.
But look! with shouts aud faces CAV.
Ihey passed poor house on their way,
Ana a sweet homeless looking child
From out IA window pHzel and smiled
TO see the other children glad;
But her poor wistful heart was sad.
You children who. with laughter gay,
Ana JOY that CLEANS cen through YOU
Have presents on each festal day.
And, guarded by the efforts true
Oh those who love ami cherish you,
Look forward 10 the winters prime
as 20 sweet and joyful time
TN IN your calendar enrolled,
Pity poor children who must gricve
nscause no presents they receive!
Ihcy look NJ yours with wistful eve
Ihey smile to Wow each token new
but IN their hearts they moan and sigh.
That night our little fricndless ono.
Mhcn her poor evening meal was done
BoWei low I'm grief her childish head
Upon the rugged poOr-housc bed
ANA In sweet aud pleading tone
She nude short prayer, all her own:
Jesus! You who loved so well
Inc little ones, of whom they tell
Ihat when these came TO on one day
You Would not have them sent away:
1ou SAID 10 all those who believe
IL !hey would ask they should receive.
~ Jesus. please for me 20 find
4aw9 good nice parents. sweet and kind,
and ask them II they will not spread
some little presents by my bod.
That they my heart may cheerful make
TOMORROW morning when / wake,
AnQ be made as happy %
As ether children that ] know"
sne shid Amen with reverence deep,
Nios her blue eyes and sank asleep.
Still sat the childless couple where
Inc lights OF luxury were fair
And still. with thoughts al tcmpestfossod
Zach silent mused. with sad heart bruised
Upon the child that they had lost
But h-tcn. with q sudden clang.
Inc loud y-spcaklng drOr-bell rang,
ana detectives face thoy viewed
Nlh patient lines deep marked and shrcwd;
ono scarce inc parents questioning eye
W - met before he made reply:
y come Af lust with tIIIup- new
The cdlld I've sought So long for Won
Inc chld you lost i've years ago,
Has lived, and lives Her placo know
The boggar who with ~atan's aid
stoIc her TO- help bis pitcous trade.
53i'l IN country puorhOIsc, where
II .cit III child, and she there
MISTAKE or doubt can not brfa1l.
Her. arc the proofs have them all.
enc is not very far away:
And you, DO bold % hear the cold.
May see her &c another day"
ITO bear tho coidr wha- has an, horne,
She shall not longer frionllas- mourn.
Tho hors s-guiek.' And soon. i'm mite
on cold and .icat tho clamrIng foot
81 .Wlit -te"d. dls1cd into the night,
NTH they halted just before
Inn Hrntt po Hr-hpulr. p GInry door
fu1 soon tho parents softly cropt
EMO RIO e Dom ~ one small room
hnl "a' cIci fhnir darling while ahc silent
atd. we 'n.ug. listened 20 the PRAYER
'Wgnc4 .he t1a' NIGHT had offered there,
An1 foII % ~ them, every word
.ie,nZ ia-n appeared 20 Thorn
Low er1' ping Ju .ts weary stem:
Hut ihuf soft prarcr-iu Heaven now
'H ~, l- touch upon her brow.
Frof and comfort they could trace
p'n ihc "rl.-rencmhcrd face.
tn. mother ycarncd 'hc child to pro,s
!n OH n.r u.frDas iprr|uraa.
~. would SET her sumhor break.
T.1 My cfrinr ahiI not wake
hi' 'rr prayer wn answered Soc
10 ven aHI nearly s uay hr.
Ana coon fhe Stock swift horses Jew
Hu-g ~ ~. Pl 5@ 7 5g. -.,4 and new,
~ rHHlr uz.,
another toar 700 fed.
THO Ht'" sleeper nwy Ied
hs w yg.... @ ,. .g.t. ana, wondering threw
."' hH- upon hoy Hr.IaI Wow
~ fH.' amHyrwnrf filed rr~ face.