The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-12-15

Wihh NAh hho oAJ AOOhNh ~ KY
aud lowering. In fact, in less than half
an hour snow fakes began 10 fall, at first
slowly and softly, then faster and faster
until the air grew thick and misty with
the quick and falling fakes.
The stout horses bent their heads to
the gusts of wind that whirled the snow
in their faces, and John urged them on
in CHEEKY tones. Once he stopped and
lighted his lantern, which he carried for
such emergencies, and the rays fell far
into the road ahead, just enough TO make
darkness visible. ,
As the horses paused at the top of
steep hill to regain breath after their
long pull, John thought he heard feeble
cry on the side of the road. He listened
intently and heard it repeat ed. He hur-
riedly snatohed up the lantern aud pro
ceeded in the direction from whence the
sound came, aud there, by the rays of
the light be carried. and all cuddled up
under blanket shawl, was baby about
nine months old.
"My certesl" exclaimed John, "Ive
found my Christmas box. Poor, wee
lambkinl What hard-hearted wretch
left you here to die. you poor little inno-
cent?" IlloH .Hat H.I
The baby stopped crying and looked
at him with her finger in her mouth and
her great blue eyes fixed, half in wonder.
half in fear, on his plying face. John
held out his arms Ooaxingly, and smile
came over the baby face and 'Coo co.,"
broke in lisping tones from the rose se-oud
mouth. He tenderly lifted the little
creature, and opening his coat folded her
close to his great warm heart.
No sound save that of the bitter wind
; disturbed the stiffness, no track of any
5 living being was to be found, and Johu
with his burden in his arms. clambered
E back into his wagon, and, closely nest
] ling the little one chirruped to his stout
horses, that knew the road too we'll to
9 need much watching.
D Wondering, solemn thoughts came to
e John as he sat there with the baby in
! his arms, of that other little Baby, who
:, came to this world so many centuries
j ago that very night; who was born
: among the dumb beasts and cradled in
d the manger of stable, but who withal
Q was Lord and Saviour. And he thought
J. how the very stars had sung for joy, aud
II how thrill of happiness vibrated FROM
/ end to end of Gods fair world at the ad.
o vent of the long-promised King; and as
It these thoughts came solemnly, sweetly
thropging to his mind, his voice rang out
>, clearly over the stormy night in the deal
is old Christmas hymn,
d "when shepherds watched their hocks b!
. night"
!; and lie vowed that this Christmas baby
n should share his home and heart will
4 his own flesh and blood. Presently hi
d voice ceased, and, looking down, b.
,e saw his baby fast asleep, her long lashe
n lying on her soft cheek; and qnietly ant
IA gently he drew out his warm buffalo
10 robe and cast about in his mind for
,s place in which to lay his sleeping charge
rs The large, empty box, which had born
m his poultry to market, caught his eye
n and, placing in it his warm comfortf bl
"a robe, he made a soft bed for his Christ
:, mas present; 30 he nestled her dow
~ among the skins and covered her wit
= his overcoat.
He did not mind the cold, althoug
=. his face grew scarlet and he had I
of swing his arms and slap his hands
"A keep the blood in circulation; but b
=. whistled merrily to his good horses, ;ha
to ratified on with increased speed and ZOO
Al drew up before tie gate of his fam
1o house.
M The door was opened and the fguI
No of woman appeared. peering into th
aS darkness; the light of a candle sh
=, shielded with her hand falling upon th
black eyes and eager face OF Dolly, VIII
nh stood with her head pushed out undt
od her mothers arm.
nv "Margery," shouted John to his wifi,
op 'come see my Christmas box. GIVE IL
10 light TO David and let him hold it hel
h, in the wagon. Here, give me both yor
M hands" said John. STOPPING down an
oh helping his wondering wife into IL
me wagon; and, there, quietly sleeping, hi
=, rosy cheek pressed closely to the SO
of skins, lay Johns Chris tmas box.
m. Her mother-heart was touched, ant
ed opening to this little homeless wnif 81
lid bore her iuto her happy home, lookin
led already upon her as her own,
In. Who could depict Dolly's delight
this "real. live baby"2 Not even II
., great magnihcence OF the new purchas,
49, or the purchase of the box of candle
ho could compare, in ber estimation, wit
as this newly-found treasure.
ny The baby-girl's quaint, serious wa!
m, were q never-failing source of deligh
no. and Dolly wondered how she ever coul
I'VE have cared for HER stupid baby, thl
an. could not crow or laugh or poke its lit
ms fingers into her eyes and pull her hal
and once again Margery ana Jonn gre
nd, young in watching and guarding the
nth Christmas box.
Years rolled on, bringing their usu
i',' changes of joy and sorrow, of good ar
ASA of evil fortune; had left their traces
"y- wrinkles and gray hairs on the mi
M ,Mnu die aged. and opened the gates
oie Heaven to many OF the old, had change
: ~ romping-school children into stror
young men aud sweet, winning maiden
he But the old farm house sti stood, loo
cut ing very little older than it did seve
the teen years ago this Christmas eve.
the s r;o 10. AL. o..,t. ~,
"'i there sits John, as ever-his hair mo