The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-24
A Christmas Message.
1t was Christmas eve.

1t was Christmas eve.
The streets were full Of people all
rushing homeward with packages in
their hands; some were carrying turk
eys tied up in paper parcels. their Herce
feet sticking out like weapons OF de-
Tense. One man had a little rocking
horse, and another a drum, while a wo-
man toiled along with a go-cart big
enough for her crippled boy, and two
little girls carried high-chair between
them. They were going to have It at
the breakfast table in the morning for
their beautiful baby.
One whole family, mother, father and
children, were hurrving up the avenue
with their arms loaded full. They were
all little anxious.
''Grandpa VIII De so lonesome, the
children said
Il expected to be at home an hour
sooner" the mother said. Il know
Christmas eve must be a lonely time
for faith +. I'm sure it used to be for
me after poor Sam was gone.
Turkey tomorrow, chimed in the
brave boy OF six. who was almost lost
in a small forest Of celery ne was ear
rying.
IAN plum puddin' an'-an' cram
berry sauce, echoed his little sister.
I've got grandpa present, said
Rob. the big brother of nine years.
Hell be lookin' out n the window
an sayin' what keeps them childer so
long" said his little pet. Barbara
Hell be so lonely sighed his
daughter, hurrying the group as she
spoke.
Was grandpa lonely-let us see.
He was an old. old man, with thin,
snrunken checks, q back bowed by
care and trouble and with long. float
ing locks CT Iiut-whise hair that was as
fine as silk He hal drawn his arm
chair in front of the window 50 that he
| could see the s:children'' when they
/ came across under the street lamp,
which was lighted so early that 1t
shone like taper in the yellow and
red atmosphere of a setting sun,
and young moon blended with the
fading daylight. The old man fixed
his eyes on the struggling light, but
1 they wavered from that and sought
the sky, where
In the dim and distant ether
The first star was shining through,
And another and another
TTembed softly in the biue.
Soon he had unseen company, and
was no longer lonely. 4 sweet, young
| face. radient with the bloom of immor-
| talitv, and that light which never was
| on ga or land, came close to his, and
he could feel the >err thrill of her kisses
| on his dull cheek. Then she brought
him their first-born, that lovely babe
/ MS srgt and only son. Then two chill
! drcn were at his knee, and the young
| mother lay with 4 sweet smile on her
lips, where the weary are,at rest But
lie only saw his hoy-his dear, dear
boy-now merry youth-then the he'll
met of a soldier shading his frank, blue
eyes then a soldiers record, promo
motion-the epaulets of brave officer,
and so proud to wear them and have
his father walking with him, and hear
ing how he fought this battle and won
that, and what he meant to DO when
the war was over.
And they had unseen company
TO make the spirit quail
but they knew it not, and the proud
young victor rode away to his death Oh
that dreadful battlefield from which hC
never returned.
he old man saw the troops in the
sky, he saw their gay banners, he saw
his son-the General-proud, hand
some. unspoiled by the admiration Of
a world he saw-ah, Heaven! he saw
I him diving alone on the field of battle
and il was Christmas eve. No hand tC
give him even drink of water, to rails,
that beloved head, To wipe tbs dealt
foam from the pallid lips. only the pitt
less stars and the cold moon to not,
his dying agonics!
But stay ''IIo shall give his angel:
charge concerning thee. His peac,
passeth all understanding. Who know!
that Ne died alone? Who can deny
that his Young mother leaned over hin
and whispered words of sweetest com
fort-that the pain and memory anC
longing of earth were not swallowed up
and forgotten in the foreshadowing OF
The bliss of Paradise.
The sky changed; the old man saw
only the tinted fiela of Heaven. A
chime of bells rung out soft and clear:
Light ON thy hills Jerusalem.
The Savior now is born"
But what is this? A little child again
"a child with radiant brow, crowned
With wreath of immortelles, and above
his head bright and shining star.
IT'S the star that shines on bethlehem,
Shines still and shall not cease
Grandpa, grandpa! Wake up
grandpa cried the children.
'tDranpa. I've got sumthin' for 'ou, u
said pet Barbara.
Then the children all went crying tC
their mother and said they could not
wake grandpa.