The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1885-12-25
THE CHRISTMAS TREE.
A Pleasant Little Legend of the Merry
Christmas Time.

In small cottage on the borders of German
forest lived poor laborer. who gained q scantv
living by cutting wood. He had n wife md two
children. who helped him in his work. The
boys name was Valentine and the girl was
called Mary. They were obedicnt, good chill
dren, and great comfort 10 their parents.
One winter evening this happy title fam ly
were sitting quie ly round the HEARTH the snow
and wind raging outside, while they ate their
supper of dry bread. when gentle tap was
heard on the window and a childish voice
cried from without Oh, let me in pray. |
am poor little child. with nothing to eat and
no home to go to, and l shall die of cold and
hunger unless you let me in"
Valentine and Mary jumped up from the ia
BILE and ran to open the door, saying, "Come
in, poor little child We have not much to
give you, but whatever we have we will share
with you."
The stranger child came in and warmed his
frozen hands and feet at the fire, aud the
| children gave him the best they had 10 eat,
saying "You must be tired, too, poor child !
Lie down on our led we can sleep on the
bench for one night"
Then said the little stranger child: "Thank
God for all your kindness to me -
So they took their little guest into their
sleeping groom, laid him ON the bed covered
him over, and said to each other: I" How
thankful we ought to be We have warm
rooms and a coZy bed, while this poor child
has only heaven for his roof and the cold
earth for his sleeping-place"
When their father and mother went to bed
Mary and Valentine lay quite contentedly on
the bench near the fire. saying, before they
fell asleep: "The stranger child will be so
happy tonight in his warm bed"
These kind children had not slept many
hours before Mary awoke and softly whispered
to her brother: valentine, dear, wake, and
listen to the sweet music under the window"
q inn had 40 o,,1 Ia,
tened. 1t was sweet music indeed, and
sounded like beautiful voices singing to the
tones of harp.
30 holy Child, we greet Thee bringing
Sweet strains of harp to aid our singing
Thou, holy Child, in peace art sleeping,
While we our watch without are keeping.
Blest be the house wherein thou lest,
Ihppiest on oarth to heaven the highest"
The children listened while solemn JOY
filled their hearts; then they stepped softly to
the window to see who might be without.
In the east was a streak of rosv dawn, and
In its light theysaw q group OF children stand
ing before the house, clothed in silver gar
m nts holding golden harps III their hands
Amazed ut the sight. the children were still
gazing out OF the window, when a light tap
caused them to tarn round. There stood the
stranger child before them, clad in a golden
dress, with a cleaning radiance round his
curling har. 81 am the little Christ-chd."
he said, "who wanders through the world
bringing peace and happiness to good chill
dren. You took me in and cared for me when
you thought me n poor child, and now you
shall have my blessing for what you have
dc le."
fir tree grew near the house, and from
this he broke a twig, which he planted in tho
ground, saying: This twiS shall become a
tree. and shall bring forth fruit year by year
for you" No sooner had he done this than he
angels. But the fir branch grew and became
Christmas tree, and on its branches hung
golden apples and silver nuts every Christmas
| tide.