The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1886-12-25

emotion which has caused his weak eyes to
shed a tear of joy, father and mother
proudly survey the treasures Of their hearts
and home as they approach the hallowed
tree-not hastily. not impatlcntiy. but de
murelv and Sly-Chluting in a low,
sweet whisper the message OF joy: Glory
to God in the highest. and ON earth peace,
goodwill toward men Grandfather
whispers a solemn Amen" AMI then rises
to read d prayer from the old and we'll
worn family prayer-booll. while the others,
with folded hands. surround the tree and
listen with wrapt attention to the words Of
thankfulness and supplicaton uttered by
the noble old man. Then the children re
ceivc gifts brought by "ChristIindchcu,"
tokens of love whose pitiful intrinsic value
would cause wording to smile, but which
are dcarer to those remembered than the
most gaudy and expensive bdublGs can be
to those high y-clvillZed' unfortunatcs
who know not the value of love.
While this touching distribution is taking
place in the cottage, d sweet chant is heard
on the street, and in "A few moments dozen
voices. lowly singing Glory to Goi in the
Highest seek aud gain admission. The
spokesman of the twelve Young men and
women repeats the story of IN CHRIST
kinds Christ chld'Sl BIRTH and ask, III
simple Verse for a gift for tn poor and sick
and needy for whose sake the Son Of God
was born IN a lowly mdng"r. Suffered and
was cruCified; and while the sturdy youths,
clothed in leather nee-brcCchcS and short
Jackets with huge brass or silver buttons,
and the pretty young women, whose pictur-
esque attire adds to natural charms. sing
another appropriate song. the peasants
wife fills "a basket with fruit and cake and
a jug with apple cider. thus practically re-
spending to the mciodious petition of her
visitors. who leave the house chanting once
more the joyful message. ''On earth peace. y
From house to house they wander, filing
a heavy cart with the contributions of the
cheerful and charitable, ever repeating
their songs and their stories and their
legends. until every one able to do so has
given his or her mite. And when the work
of collecting is finished the distribution
begins. The novels of the poor and sick
are visited. and at elCl door Il basket IS
left, together with IA word of cheer and the
never-cea ing 'Good-wIll toward menn
The sleepy old night Waterman of the
village tootS the hour of eleven on his mel
anchuly horn as the cheerful band of yo ug
people reach the last cottage whose owners
are to be made happy through the generos-
lily of their neighbDrs. Their glai chant is,
however. not answered bv words of wei
come. Instead of the carrWorn face of the
oycrworked widow whose load they desire
to tighten. they see the benevolent face of
the village pastor. Qmctly they file into
a dingy room, dimly lighted by IA single
tallow candle \ d.stracte mother. wrapt
III gloom and sorrow. stands at the head of
miserable bel watching every motion on
the face of little sufferer whose frail body
is buried under the wei ght of heavy feather
bedding. Slowly the child opens her CLASSY
eyes and raises her weak body. A thought
OF the present seems TO fit across the
fevered brain.
- Mamma she whispers, has the
Chr st-child' Gomez
Yes. my darling" sobs the heart broli-
en- mother, and it has brought you such d
gay little frocll"
oh mamma"-lspingly- give it to
neighbours Barbele, they're poorer than
We"
kne ling at the bedside, the worthy pas
tor wipes away "A tear. the almost par.
alyzrd mother supprcsses Il heart rending
sob. the subdued rovstercrs weep tears of
sympathy. Silence, broken only by the
slow tick of the old cuckoo clock on the
wall and the heavy breathing of the dying
child. is at last Interrupted by the patient
sufferer
Mamma" she whispers, hoarscly. even
in death preaching charity, Pm going
Give me IA kiss. I'm going Let me see
the dress Yes. yes: give it to Barbele
Give it to Barbcle Yes. mamma start
ing up-"se2 the Christ-child. 1t beckoms
M to come. to come. Yes. yes. I'm com
ing-Im coning-Glory to God III the --'