The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1886-12-22

frnupbt with 40 much reioicing-a time
when beautiful angels are supposed to
be wipging their noiseless flight around
~, singing the beautiful anthem ~
love: "Peace ON earth, good VIII TO-
ward men"
II WIS night and snow storm was
brewing on the distant horizon the
clouds were dark and massive, Hinged
with gray, aud from their om'nous APP
penrance II looked ~ II they had con
solidated in solid phalanx for the At
tack. Alrendy the SHOW lay IA foot or
more deep on The ground, ami the
prospects were that il would be in
creased two-fold within IA few hours.
The wind shIiekej dismally through
the lea Hess trees aud howled doleiu'ly
| in its headlong course down the deep
ravines and up the rugged gulches,
sweeping the snow into huge whirl-
winds, completely enyeloping the cab
ins aud surrounding woods In maze
Of Wilderness, binding 10 any belated
traveller who might he ~ unfortunate
| as 10 he out at this hour. The cold was
intense aud increasing every minute,
and the few cabins aud places Of abode
that comprised the mining camp were
all closed, aud everything without had
a most orsaken aud weird appearance.
| Presently the snow began to fall thick
| aud fast, aud aided by the already
fierce wind, converted it~'H into
binding sheet Of flying particles, a.
sharp ami cutting AZ crushed glass anu
~ impenetrable az darkness.
This was the appearance of !he CAM
this Christmas Eve, that sweet period o.
remembrance which we celebrate with
40 much joy. How different from the
original scene, where the stars CLEANED
brightly over the shepherds fiocks and
the beautiful star OF Bethlehem shont
out with reckoning prominence, she'd
| ding it, benediclion aud effulgence al
love over ALL
| Cleaning through the driving sleel
and snow was one solitary light, she'd
ding it, dull rays out over the one
main street OF the mining camp. On
either side ofthis street were houses, or
rather buts aud cabins, some used IA
places of business and others occupied
by miners aud their families. The
house that this light shone from, WA
the principal saloon Of the place, ant
inside its giimy walls many OF thu
sturdy miners of the place were assem-
bled to celebrate this Christmas Eve
as was their wont. They were gather
ed around IN groups, some playing
cards, Others engaged in boisterous con
versation, while the fiery alcoholic bev
erage was being served out over til,
bar in almost gradual How. TIN
light that could be seen from the stree
was large "dip" candle stuck in
knot-hole in the side of the wall, tina
hickered and sputtered and smoked ant
cast "A ruddy glare over the rough as
semi lage.
In the midst Of this hilarity an,
carousing there came IA timid rap a
the door, but nobody paid any atten
ton to it, aud its faint echo was lost II
the sound of the wind, which howle
through the old caves of the house an
caused the paper that was tackled owe
the broken window panes to rattle an
flap, while the candle on the wall flal
ell up and waved It's tall blaze as
about to expire. Presently the rap o
the door was repeated, this time loude
than before, and one group Of car
players stopped long enough to star
vacantly at the door aud then at eac
other. The storm without howled |
its fury aud the snow sifted throug
the large cracks in the door
"Maybe the wind blowed linn
/. agin' the door," suggested one, and tn
y remark seeming satisfactory, they r.
sumed their game.
!. 80, papa"
The voice came from without, aud
was SO plaintive and touching in its a
= cent that each card player dropped h
cards aud again stared at his compal
! ions. The voice seemed to come fr0l
r. out of the depths Of the storm, and
touched the heart Of every man wi
= heard It with compassion for the lit
lost one.
,. "She'll die out there" remarked on
n and with two strides he was at the do
4, sLd had it unbarred. He opened Il
i, door and peered without, aud tn,
reaching forth II brawny arm he dire
he something In, and then shut the doc
r. "Why, I declare, boys, II it amt j.
8, Pearson's little girl, Nellie" said h
" holding the little bundle of humanit
ne snow and ice up to the stove. "Wh
+ Nellie, what on earth brought you o
%, such night? You won't thaw o
a for a MONTH"
ne 1t was such sweet little round fa
,,e' that shone out from under her b0nn'
Is, all fringed with icicles. The little o
en- seemed too benumbed with cold
speak for minute, aud she held l
lie. little hands up to the stove and look
at the by-standers nut ely, with sucl
!, pitiful expression on her sweet you
II, face.
= ~ want papa" she said. "He ST
he would come home soon and bri
nd Santa Claus with him. ! came
IN, go
here to see Santa Claus and papa, a
NJ tell them to come home" Then {
scanned the rough by-standers with
es, nocent and childish curiosity, but
,h fond parent was not there With'
400 saying word she started for the d.
tn to face that fierce storm again.
Ird "Oh, say, little one, you must
nv | .l,at l,li,.. ri nn.t., kit hara