Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-12-30
A Christmas Sketch.


--
Bx sr. ELvAH SEE.
y never see that bright star there, but
'"In the east astar doth arise
saf GRAND and rejoicing;
Il Look unto 1t weary eyes. 6 q %
Hear the angels voicing
Glory nrst 10 God. and then ht
fsace on earth, good Will to men"'
| "Almost rival for the yoane moon owe
here in the West, y replisd hef companion
"Oh, bat think of the wise men being
attracted by the s'Stsr, and the ploriou,
meaning it had for thsn, i did not refe,
'articularly to it's dazzling glitter and spar
Gle, this frosty night. though that is mag.
aifcent =
"Yes, Miss Albra, the ssstar,' want ba
ore as a guide and chen stood over .vhere
he future Saviour q the world law in hi
,,wly place, have often pondered over the
disappointment of the poor Jews. who werf
'xpecting monarch of grand earthly dis
play, and could not realize that one IN This
owly state would ever rule and reign be.
side the Father" replied DR. Van Lynn.
The evening was really beautiful, the air
was cool, bracing, and frosty; the blue dome
IT the heavens, was glittering with brilliant
consultations; all nature was in one of her
calm mood of beauty.
The stiffness, and the rare beauty of the
night, only made DR.. Van Lynn more anx.
lous to reveal the affection he felt for the
lovely girl by his side.
| They were going to help to finish de
corating their church in "Christmas greens. %
| for tomorrow was Xmas day, and there still
remained some few finishing touches
| There was much pleasure in coming and
going, in the pleasant society there, and SO
on, that would attract crowd of pleasant
young persons together, to assist in the dee
Orations.
DR.. Van Lynn had been an orphan, adopt.
ed by good old DR.. Winston, when quite a
child, who had given him a fine education.
After graduating at the University, attend
ing lectures, be came hame to practice with
his adopted father, or s'Uncle john" as he
familiarly called him; this had been the past
Summer, when he had met with DIR, WIS
only child Albra, for the first time since she
was twelve years old.
There was no striking beauty about her
face, while no feature was repellant, She
had wealth of dark hair, and her eyes had
an intellectual look.
Her disposition was gentle and sweet,
which attracted many towards her, But
among her many admirers, her heart chose
the one escorting her tonight.
He had never told his love to her, though
several months had passed by since they
had met; if she but knew, he felt a certain
reserve, in making this love known, he
thought others had more to offer her than
he had, but then
"Faint heart ne'er won fair ladv,,
and with this resolution, he had locked up
the office tonight, and asked the pleasure
of attending her to the church, where he
knew she had been busy the past day
"Do you know, Miss Albra, that it has
been eighteen years this Christmas, since
Uncle John brought me here? you were
then two, and was six years old, no one
has ever realized what happy day that
was to me, physically and morally. Santa
Claus had been generous to us both; I
thought then it was bright vision which
Papa and mamma have never regretted
the day, they brought you among US. do
not remember so far back as your date"
she replied laughing.
''NO, expect not" pressing the hand,
resting lightly on his arm, ''Miss Albra, 1
have been wishing for just such an oppor-
tunity as the present, to tell you how inex-
pressibly dear you have become to me. In
the last few months have seen you have
many admirers, but there is no one who will
strive harder to make you faithful loving
husband. Can you love me, my darling
Will you be my wife?
'Oh Archer" and he felt the little hand
tremble in his warm grasp.
''Say, Albra dear, am to hope ?" and he
bent his head for the whispered reply.
"You may"
They were nearing the church, both we're
too full OF happiness tn converse; the ''Star
seemed to glitter with more radiant bril-
liancy, the lights in the church were bright,
and threw out rays of beauty on the festoon-
ed walls with its evergreen words
peace on earth, good will to man."
DIR. Van Lynn felt as if he never quite
understo.d d ths glad tidings of great joy'
before. He feltNthat if he had an enemy on
earth, he could forgive him now.
And though follower of the king, whose
birth they were preparing to celebrate, he
felt as if he had never had such light to
shine in, and illumine his heart as on that
night.
"Oh, Miss Albra, you and the DR.. are
late; we are just adding the finishing touches
to the walls before putting the presents
on the tree," said young friend of Miss
Albra.
Even now step-ladders were brought
down the aisle to place the packages on the
highest branches of the tree. Here COL
ored man from Or. Winston's brought
large basket of parcels, from the Dr., Mrs.
W., and Miss Albra's class. She had select
ed handsome presents for her pupils, be-
sides several useful articles, for other chill
dren, whose parents could not afford them,
at any season of the year.
Good DR.. Winston came down the aisle,
and looked upon the tree with pride, and
qualification.
''There is something bright and happy
about Christmas keeping. 1t keeps bright
the Saviour's birth, who was the grandest,
and most glorious gift to fallen man. 1t
has become time for family reunions; in
terchanging gifts, charitable gifts to those
whose boards are scant; and IN keeping the
day, we should remember those who are in
distress, and aid them all in our power; it
is not what we have got, but what We do
with what we have, will be noted,'' said Dr.
Winston to small group near him.
'No fear of the Dr." said one touching
his companions arm, "the more he gives,
the more he gets" "Don't you know that
King Solomon says the liberal soul shall be
made fat?''
''Don't quote scripture to prove it.
wonder what the old DR.. thinks of the young
NJ. D. stepping into his family? 1 think
from the attention he is beginning to show
Miss Winston, there will be partnership
in more than medicine before long,
II do not think he would object. DR..
w., is sensible. I always think there is a
peculiar kind of generosity in the medical
profession. I noticed lately in one of our
journals an account Of a physician in one of
our Southern States, educating number of
boys: and thought when I read it,-Sr,
your monument is far grander than marble
or bronze; for this is exerting an influence
which will never die; for these young men,
if appreciating this noble ndness, will en-
deavor to make themselves great characters.
Then like this kind of charity; person
knows where he is bestowing help. can see
the coed effects of bis aid, while money is
often left to places. just for others to SQUAD
BILE over, until the last cent is expended, and
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