Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-12-25
A WHITE CHRISTMAS.
Tsrrspeneld Republican ]

dixcoursged-looaing young wo"s"
stood BY the east window Of her rooml
farmhouse Kitchen and gazcd down th'
Iore vista Of sugar.maples At the CLASSY,
frozen pond, the quaint old m'ii' w'.'
the white foainipg water OF the rape
brook shooting cut from beneath u
messy walls, and standing ont vividiy
against the picturesque background o
evergreen trees on the near mountain
side. II was . charming view. q
which she usually turned with rest'al
pleasure, but to-day she did not see u
At all. She only noticed the leaden SKY
that seemed to be . reflection OF her own
heavy heart, and the struggling pre-
mopi,ory snow-ilakes that like con
sesled part of the dull, cold morning
air were lighting like white-winsed IN
sects here and there on twig and viae
and dead-grass land.
1--WE shall have white Christmas
aher all" she said aloud to herself
cor rather the world and the other peo-
ME in il will have white Christmas.
ineycr can help feeling OF gladness
At the thought that the brown old earth
is TO be covered with spotless gar
ment Cor its dearest festival but this
year, so far as all outward observance
goes. Christmas will be just like any
other day to me and mine. am sorry
for the children, poor things-and Tor
Albert, he is q good husband ana
il seems a pity that 1t should be
nv lot 10 make his home so cherries.
But what can do? Poor father IS
ashkis: m invalid aud must have a
home. and care. and if it is so ordered
that must neglect my own family for
him, why then it must be right. How
differently sister Harriet's life is or
dered: she and her boys have every
wish gratifed, there is nothing that
money can buy that they have not at
command. They will have white
Christmas in every sense OF the phrase.
There will be q Christmas tree, no
doubt, and the boys will invite their
little friends for q grand frolic, but
thew will not think Of sending for my
children. They could not 60 if they
were asked for the very good reason
that they have nothing that is tit to
wear, and are not likely TO have at
present, for with my many cares | have
no time TO sew for them, even had
to make up. They will have
10 stay at home from church and from
school for the winter, there is no help |
for it as | can see, and | shall accept |
the fact as it is and not burden my |
mind any further with it.
when the mail comes tonight am
sure TO have a loving little note from
Harriet, telling her plans for to-mor-
row. She will send some dainty trife
for us all and silk handkerchief for
iSther; always SIX handkerchief for
father Ii makes me mad there I've
said it out now, and il is the truth, but
must pass it over and keepit to my
elf. lie has silk handkerchiefs enough
IN hand now TO make bed-quilt if
hey were pieced together patchwork
fashion. Always a gift Of silk hand
erchief for father on his birthday, at
on Y alentine' day, at Christmas
md New-year's and Thanksgiving, and
wen on Fourth Of July, with the chill
lren's fireworks. and on their birth
laws and mine, for she never fails to
us by some little token and
always in the package, whatever else
here may be, is the inevitable silk
for father. / have jo&ed
Ter about it, and Albert never fails to
banter her upon her weakness in that
direction, but she takes no offence. She
S the straDgest mortal never to give me
10 much as penny to help me out
With father, and she with all her
and we with nothing but
he farm and the mill but Albert
would starve before he would hint
word about it-and so would |
or that matter, for if there is anything
hat am thankful for it is for will to
10. To hear her say, Poor father -
" TO see the words written so often in
Ter dainty notes, one would suppose
hat she had real solicitude for him.
)f course she is sorry he is i'll, but it is
n her easy way; she has no real
lnxiety. fancy she would feel differ
.ntly did she hear his hard, dry cough
ringing in her ears hour by hour. Dear
ne, There it is again! had for
gotten to give him his Drops; and the
,ad-faced woman turned YEARLY to the
nvslid's room.
At mail-time there came with the
weekly paper the anticipated registered |
package from sister Harriet.
Harriet's packages were always re-
even if they only contained,
IS in this instance, Christmas-card for
zach one and the usual little roll wrap
ped in white paper and labelled, "A
silk handkerchief for father"
Mrs. Holt took it in her hand and
tore off a bit Of the wrapping-paper.
bright cardinal this time !" she
said. 1.-THE last one was ultramarine
blue ;" and turning to the chimney
cupboard she tossed the little roll into
o fanciful paper box.
The sick man laughed weakly as he
said Harriet has certainly gone daft
in the matter of silk handkerchief
but what does her note say"
"That she is sorry she cannot write
more at length or send something more
acceptable, but they are very busy pre-
pairing for little trip they have plan
ned for tomorrow. and the boys are
wild with JOY because there is every
prospect Of sleighing."
Sometimes | really dent know
what to make Of Harriet" tho old man
said family, after while. "She used
always TO seem kind-hearted and
thoughtful, and she is now in q GER
tain way"
Harriet was a spoiled child 80 said
Mrs. Holt, "and l need not complain
about it. l did as much to spoil her as
any one. She was always fond Of o
Joke ard somewhat given to carrying
her fun to extremes, but l certainly
never kHew her to overdo anything as
she has this silk-hanSkerchief hrs;-
ness"
"0h well, never mind it," said Mr..
Holt, turning his exquisite fringed care
over and seading !" To my faithful and
weil-belovcd Brother Abort" in deli
eNa