St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-27
A Trip to the Noon Christmas Eve.


Ing 10 the stove and diffused a pleasant
warmth through the little room; but my heart
was far from happy, for I was alone, all
alone on the holy Christmas eve; nobody
would wish me a ''Merry Christmasrn i
should deck no Christmas tree. and had no
one to whom l could give presents; so sat
ciseontentediy in the sofa corner in the
gathering dusk and con jured up before my
memory visions OF former happy days.
Suddenly dear, well-kuown face peered
into the window aud whispered: .'Come,
old friend, dou't give yourself M to such
melancholy thoughts; go with me on my
CHEEKY round and you viii spend as pleasant
Christmas eve as you can desire"
Yes, old friend" cried, opening the
window, ''Ill go with you; I'm coming now"
Hastily throwing on q warm wrap left the
room. Meantime it bad become perfectly
light out OF doors; the snow giittered as IL
covered with diamonds, and cRaked under
the lighiest tread. felt so gay and joyous
In the fresh air 1t seemed as II / were melt
ing away in the Radiant mOonbeams, when
suddeniy-bow did 1t nappeni-I rose from
The earth ike sparkling form woven Of mist
and mAgnetically attracted BY higher world
assembled further and further In the circle Of
light around the moon, TO whose guidance
unresisting.y yielded, for the familiar
friendly face that had nodded to me was that
Of the man in the moon. Below Us a church
opened is portals, the melody Of an organ
poured forth, people Of AL ages and ranks
Hooked from within. Their faces were in
voluntarily turned toward my friend up
above, and tue latter smiled knowingly at all
the sparkling eTes. The church windows
were brightly Illuminated, and on the right
aud left Of the altar two large Christmas trees
shone with lights.
An old-fashioned coach was standing In
front OF the open doors. The horses stamped
impatiently on the frozen ground. The
congregation moved respectfully aside,
whispering: ''Here they comet tall,
stately man, on whose arm leaned a slender
lady, passed through the church portals and
the couple entered the carriage, beside which
iaekey stood respectfully with uncovered
head. Two pretty BOYS and a graceful little
girl followed, all three With bright expectant
faces. The coach door slammed. and away
rolled the equipage through the gradually
ascending park 10 the stately castle where
the Christmas candles were Just lighted.
Nobody in the carriage had any eyes for
the exquisite beauty OF the winter night, only
my friend and g4zed admIringly down on
held and forest the ancient pines whose
huge branches dropped aud groaned under
the weight Of ,he snow. The Ieafrss bushes
we're everywhere covered with glittering lee
crystals, the tiniest twig, every withered
hedge sparkled with royal splrndor under the
glorious night heavens, Careless whether their
loveliness was noticed aud appreciated by
human eyes. They had all decked themselves
70 reveal the majesty of God.
Ny friend and / east glance through the
windows Of the brilliantly decorated hall OF
the castle, which sent their cheerful glow far
into the darkness. A throng Of aristoeratie
ladies' and gentlemen, merry children and
servants In holiday attire moved TO and fro;
every face beamed with happiness aud festal
mirth. We looked at tables adorned with
sumptuous gifts and then glided noiselessly
past the windows u the village houses lighted
in honor Of Christmas tide.
Close 70 the church stood an ancient
house. Giant linden trees spread the Ir
branches protectingiy over the dilapidated
roof; an empty stork's nest resting against
the huge chimney enjoyed secure shelter
In which TO await the return Of its spring and
summer occupant. A few twigs and bits of
straw, covered with boar frost that glittered
| in the moonlight, projected above the nest.
A low wall surrounded the court yard, the
elder bushes peered curiously over the roof.
The wooden bench at the door now had a
thick covering of snow. Even the gate posts
had tall white caps and looked like venerable
wsrders. The windows were closed with
wooden shutters, and We were afraid that we
should not be able TO see any
thing OF the Christmas cheer, within
but lOokl Two little round openings in the
upper part of the shutters shone like besming
eyes, and We peered through them into the
4 pleasant room. A cry Of surprise almost es-
capped my lips, aud pressing close TO the hole
/ tried TO see all that was passing. In the
center stood a beautifully decorated Christ
mas tree, its bougbs bending under the
weight Of gilt apples and nuts. A warm,
delicious smell Of wax came through the
cracks Of the window frames. Stirred BY the
heat OF the candles, q large golden star on
the top Of the tree turned to and fro, sur
rounded by throng of little angels. Ieould
distinctly read on this star the words: ''Glory
70 God 10 the highest, and On earth peace,
good will toward men,"
Under the boughs Of the Christmas tree
was a wonderful manger. Mary aud Joseph
knelt before the Christ child, and the oxen
and the asses gazed at them In surprise. An
angel soaring towards the noeks and shep-
herds outside OF the stable seemed 10 be in
the act of announcing the joyful message
% els bet - d.. IN "a.
world.
The pastor had removed his cap, and now
began the beautiful Christmas hymn:
Peaceful night, holy night" group OF
rosy-cheeked children ehimed ioyously in,
and the gentle mother, with the baby in her
arms, accompanied them with her voice.
Even the old maid-seryant's quavering tones
joined in At the right moment. Tears of jOy-
full emotion dimmed my eyes; but my friend,
the heavenly pilgrim, already warned me
that II was time 10 go. aud had left me some
distance behind. | reluctantly tore myself
away from a scene where earthly and divine
joys were so beautifully blended. Alas, how
lonely and how poor seemed TO myself when
thought Of this happy family; my heart
shrAnk with sorrow. But my friend gave me
no time for such melancholy thoughts, and !
was obliged to follow him. We gIided noise
lessly over the roofs aud walls of the houses
In some, only faint CLEAN Of light betrayed
that any living creature was inside. The
labor OF business was still going on In
others; no Christmas rest was allowed,
baking and securing continued,
and no devout lips sang holy
Christmas hymn. The sturdy farmers wife,
the grumbling farmer, had numerous orders
to give; the much desired holiday quiet
seemed unlikely to be enjoyed for a long
time. Then We again saw bright food OF
light shining amid the darkness. In yonder
SNOWY house With the hume rous windows