Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-25

Grandfather starin, for he hurried out right
away. He muttered;
Nobody did say it. Nobody did say IL;
but heard it: They wrapped Him in swad-
ding clothes and they laid Him In q manger.'
they made a cradle OF it,"
Char and bright and splend d was the win.
ter sky above him, and the white uplauda gilt
tered with half dreamy glory and the morn
ing star shone, lamp-like and wonderful, just
Dove the horizon. 1t was to the eastward
al d, as he looked it stood exactly above .
white-roofed cottage away down the road.
mo, sir" exclaimed GRANDPA ther Starin,
mo, sir, Nobody did say it. What is the
matter with my memory? Is it anything
read last evening? Nobody said it, but
heard it. And the star came and rested over
where the young child lay; but then that star
is only the morning star"
That last word was followed by another Of
his hoarse croaks, Of something that refused
winter morning seemed to be gathering in his
face. There was none in his feet, for he
walked on and on, as if he were following
that particular star. He went ont at the front
gate and down the road, and his lips pulled
out small, frosty clouds, to tel how hard he
was breathing.
The morning star grew brighter, and
brighter and brighter at first, and then he al
most could not see it. When he stood still in
front Of Mrs. Perouse's gate it was a full min
ute before he could see anything. at isn't
So" he said. Il amt in my right mind.
What on earth can have come over every
thing"
There he stood and looked, and there really
was something very curious to be looked at.
There was a heap Of evergreens on the door
step. barrel Of flour stood a yard or so in
side the gate. ham Law on the barrel and
big turkey ready dressed seemed to be try
ing to hug the ham. Between the barrel aud
the doorsteps lay q new sled, If it we're
waiting for somebody to open the door and let
1t come in, with some smaller packages that
were stacked upon it. The fore end of its
runners were pricked away up, like pair Of
eager dogs ears.
1t was al too much for the old man to be-
lieve in, and lie turned for another look at the
star. just then he heard something that
sounded very much as If a boy was trying to
growl 1t was not exactly so. 1t was only the
disappointed voice Of Jim Denike. There he
was erouching behind fence post, and keep
ing down shIver.
You heref What are you here for. at this time
wish you Merry Christmas. squire. / got ont
PeT S eHI o G1s up mere st to Rear What Ba
KIND o spoiled now, but guess he'll say Christ
mas .!y Is come a5s ., Tn ing Coins home"
Jim's teeth chartered as he hurried away but
there was small white hsurs al the bedroom
Mother Mother CHRISTMAS has come. He
Is out there. now, standing by the cate"
frosted Panes. but she did not utter word she
dressed Bf r. Pnd herself il 0nigrfy swift
Mother was It Sandy Clawsf"
Hush-sh-sh Don't speak ="
Grandfather St9rin must have heard what Jim
and be hat for e Il he Haa iA Not !a %
ees i b aay9o6g IN BE- house was AZ or had
yard and lead what was written on one thing
=. y declare Mr.. Knox, Boggs. Deacon Traver4.
6oofy NJ ~ Slp3iles' ,e,,lke, oid FSt 81,
PeTryyillei What's got hold Of mel There,
nobody i}i SAD it. put heard it, Had they brought
that's 4, sits. Hurrah for Chrstmasl declare.
baby 6.e It's an awful time That there star kind
Mrs; Perouse had hurried down stairs and Bat
ty had let Pl1s out Of the Kitchen. 50 that
boS aR ao2T ssdeSS e3 Out SS5 s6
latter began at once to bark a. the eiergreen..
christmas Merry chrisimas and s'1 very
treat hoarse choking sort of croak followed. but
-, Christmas has eomel" and Pu2s danced around
gave one look at Grandfather stSin and at ali the
things between the door aud the gate aud held out
soP-s sob did seem 20 hard for her to
bri h9n 2, Iss' i ms almost an b sh39ted 90,
sn en- 5S hess her and s,o9Ped and d Bs
his lace was drowned ia white beard III and then he
pushed right past both Of them into the house
she knew what he was after, and in half minute
hat Ne hE out Shs s middle aT
MI, Hell ,b Be warm enough. grabbed up every
but what are you going to do'n
- Hester, the baby 10 coming to nay house, SO ia
CChTistm2s, You and Batty follow right along,
send Nike after these tRins You're lust Hiee conn
ing home, Hester. That's all.
Of BsPFe and S Hy s S1ah h s Ps s6 SnnS
mnsically from the heart Of H.
after h that chrstmaa way G hs
M Mi R5 bring back the 6abyi re- wh ha made sain
The light was in the old mans face yet when he
What is It John" exclaimed his wife. where
''Aiaria! Cradle! It's IIester's baby: Christmas
ns ma conf Maria don't You Snq are CON-
and irankineense and myrrh. Hurrahl Wish you
Grandfather starins face looked as il the sun
seven tbe spade WIS a aecnySo H2 r fq1lf eount
the table all the presents except tn eatahles
there with his new mittens on. pazng at them as
II they We're dream, Jim Den ke away over az
mother what he had seen, and his mother, was re-
warm Was pty D they eoud no have hRd tS Ss
whole thing lust as il went on. dyandfqther
s9S a bea hands ad gFPPsd sio8y into the thick
Mother /" said Batty. will Christmas 80 away
- Maria" shouted the old man to his Wife al.
thopgh she was sitting close by him with an open
II won't. It's come 70 stay. thope i has come to
every mouse IN feffNFllle. There isn't
children"
Mrs. Peronse, earnestly, but Batty was grayeiy
saying TO his grandfather:
did you tell j IN Denike you was comingf How
did he know"
=, He's friend q yours, Batty' Sol declare.
There he was waiting Best boy in the village I
must see about him. Skatesf Guni Cannonf
half the things bought, One sic IS enough Tor
him. drive around with 'em, after breakfast.
Buy some more. I'm bound to have all the Christ.
mas there Is goingi"
oh. John, joint" said Grandmother staFin.
mas equal to ours"
Mrs, Perouse caught up Batty and Rugged him.
and u seemed as n there was not anything left for
anybody TO say, Even Puns lay down and gnawed
the wooden soldier in a sort Of happy, oontented
silence, but they were all ready for breakfast ~
soon az the buckwheat cakes began to come in.
,Mhereyer 0randiather starin's erraAds took him,