Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-12-19

"Make ready for half dozpn or so
yes dozrn. and as 10 the presents leav
that to me-"
Mrs. Raymond would have been bette
plassed If Paul had taken her into hi
confidence. but she had not the courage t,
lhwart bis wishes even In so trning
manner. Celia Burr had married 70
wealth and position. but Celin Raymon,
would have renounced it all, If by so doins
abe could have won Paul's love. II h,
knew his power over the beautiful woman
he seldom cared 10 exel else 1t, though b.
had snid 10 himself more lhan oneo of la, e
that he was not TO he trusted, for if Cell.
should forget her wordliness for wbil,
he should succumb to her wondrous
charms of face and manner and stan,
committed ere he iealzr,i what he wa
As the evening shades deepened, Maui,
watched The stars as th Y came out t.
deck the heavens with splender IN,
glory that might well commemorate lb,
bright hir,hnight of our Saviour. She
had read that day with newly awakened
sympathy and appreciation the story O.
The Chaldenn shepherds and their fl3cks
and she almost fncied the stars nigh
even then be repeating in chords. the
triumphant anthem,-"Glory to God in
the highest; on earth peace and good viii
10 men,
Remembering the wise men of The east
and the costly offerings which they laid
down at the feet of the infant Redeemer
she wished that even she, child, might
prove in some way her gratitude and
love. "Oh Uncle Paul." s1e exclaimed
why wasn't The custom perpetuaed OF
making gifts OF frankincense and myrrh2
1t might be done in every pioce where
they believe in Christ. Wouldn't the
sweet incense arise all over 'hs land to
night, making every home II fl ,ming altar
and every bre' ze II breath of balm"
Have you been to church with Bridget
to-day, and are your thoughts still odor
Gus OF the delightful periume waited by
stately pri' s'sp'
You are laughing. Uucle Paul. hut
am very much IN earnest; should like To
! have the privilege of giving something to
the dear Chris,. | can bow dowo and
worship MIN, but after that, can do no
more; the wise men opened their treas
ures. Il was of them | was thinking
when spoke"
"And you may do likewise. if you will
my child.'
"IIowp' asked Matte, almost brcathless
with expectancy.
IL will give YOU the words of the King
himself. Verify say unto you, In as
much as you have done it unto one of the
Isas, of these my brethren. ye have done
1t un'O me-"
"Matle will you have your 'ilerings
ready. if the Ch,isl child comes TO your
home TO nigh P"
"On, uhc,e, ii ho might but cone and
see "
Paul touched her mehead with kiss,
her shining curls. Looking into The
depths Of her azule eyes, he said mysteri
ously, Keep Your gifts ;.b ,ut You and
look out for my rtlrn, iol II ! mistake
not, shall have to he the silver lamp
guide you To thu babe OF Bethlehem
Matte had little time TO wonder at hci
uncle's words, for horses came prauclng
to the lune of their merry DelIs. bringing
her young friends who were 10 JOIN he,
on lis csla eve. lhe light reflected h\
shining crystal and wrenlhlng silver
looked down on forms of beauty and
glace. The music sent forth the gladden.
ing strains and bounding feet kept time to
the 10, ons melody. Mrs Raymond moved
u very queen amidst the spendor and
glatness, FIR her plans had all beer
D. rieced and her household was lar
100 well disciplined to call for any anxiety
vn her part, afier her orders had once
heen issued,
Paul was to light up the tree and The
doors were 10 be thrown at nine O'Clock.
The hour bad arrived and over the iinle
com pany had fall m The delightful Lush OF
exptcIancy. when Paul entered, ana ailel
The Joyous greeting. for he was grca
lavolite with Matlle's friends, he informed
them that he WAS the bearer of despa ches
from Santa Claus; that every one mnsl
consent 10 be led blindfolded into the
room; they would be conducted TO seats.
and on no account were the bandagcs
10 be removed until the command was
given. In gicat mtrrjment handkrr
chlefs were produced and each one In
turn submitted TO the test. "cf how many
fingers do now hold up"
"And now you, Celia" said Paul,
bowing before Mrs Raymond with kingy
grace With his own hands he bound the
beautiful eyes which all day had been
Questioning him, and il for one moment
Ills hand fingered with ii mute caless upon
the cheek that flushed so deeply beneath
his touch, he may be pardoned, for she
was very lovely and the manifest man
might well have found her irresistible.
Soon all were seated, and Paul counted
off, "One-two-ihree. At the signal
the eager ewes were unceremoniously lib
Grated, but the bewidering light and
ylare dazzled them for moment. Vi
course the zee WAS the centre OF attraction,
blazing with its hundred candles andloade'l
with the prlncely gifts which wealth and
taste can command. The music burs'
forth afresh and clear, cultured voice
bore upward the Christmas hymn.
Mrs Raymond was pale MS death. What
To her was the music OF words? Could she
ioin in the load IIosannahs, or welcomt
lhe glsd Evangel Of ChrIst's bound'es-,
fathumless owe, WI e. her IDEAS Of proprie
" and decency were so shocked IN her
own magnificent parl0rs!
Seated upon her costly dlvans and
luxu, iuus chairs, alte' mating w'h he'
chosen guests, her daughters ana i'lends,
wero dozen childen Of various ages,
clad in tho menger ghrb OF poverty and
bearing upon their faces the uhmlsIabaoleI
signs VI want and woe!
Ii took all Paul wit and wisdom as
master uf ceremonies, to settle down 10
the little vagrants the excanaIlons
That surround, d them. Made old ior then |
year, By the elim teacher. experience,
thuy understood at once Ike dainty w'lh |
drawul of The Il ,wmg robes and hil2h' |
ribbons from contact with their unsetml\
rags. Tney kept their promises well
l,owever, no one III ,vehor Spoke,hlth"uSh
he VARYING chang = Of lip ani brow, t9ld
of The inward contl ct, Tut Their lie ul
repr, s,ion had taught 'hrm the value ol
sill, nee under sc,rn and conlumely.
Matte Was the first 10 recover herself,
and seeing that her neiShbor was the
ntlle girl she had met that stormy
MOI ming, she felt at once what her Uncle
Paul had meal by the coming OF the
Christ child. and the words of the King.
In her gladness she made haste TO ctf,r
tho gifts, better lar than gold, nkltccnsr
or inyrh, for they came warm and
fragrant from the hearts treasury. She
threw her arms around the child and left
kiss after kiss upon the poor, wan face,