The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-12-29
A Christmas Story.
BY EMSlETT C. ROSS

BY EMSiETT c. ROSS
This morning, ere the drowsy sun
Has kist the frosty sky; -.
While twinklingstars were yet alert
In Heavens canopy,
! reused me from my cozy bed,
Some Christmas gifts TO hide
Within the stockings hanging limp,
Against the chimney side.
A doll for May, also for Nell,- -
Yes. Adab, too, has one,
While near my Collins tiny SOCK
Is hung kettle drum,
And down into each stocking, too, ~--'
A lot of candy goes, ...
That Il is their shnpeloss little feet
Down TO their very toes.
This done, hied me back to bed,
And tried to fall asleep;
But ere shut my weary eyes,
! saw our Mabel peep,
Then slyly slip from out her bed, '-
And to the chimney steal,
And into ev'ry stocking there
At once begin to feel.
Then back to he'd she quickly went
And whispered in Nell's ear: -s
sect up! Old Santa Clause has come.
And left some pretties here" .
Out jumped the two upon the floor,
And kept up Such q clatter,
That Adah woke and gan To ask;
isis Mariie wha's er natterS"
"This is too much,n iiieir mother said -
"They'll surely wake the baby;
o! can't you send them back 10 bed ?"
All could say was "Maybep'
Then Collins gave whoop and turn,
And, quickly rolling over,
Began to crawfish out OF bed,
And pulled with him the cover.
And crawling to the firesGe place
His sisters saw him coming
And handed down his Kettle drum
And he commenced a drumming.
His little eyes were all ablaze,
And, in another minute,
He'd torn The head from out tho drum,
10 find out what was In 1t. -.-
I watched them from my pillow rest,
My precious girls and boy,
And could but envy them their youth, en-.
Their innocence and Joy;.
And wondered when another year
Had rolled Its length around,
Tf I would hear their prattle then,
Their merry voices sound:
With breakfast DER, kissed their lips,
And then embraced their mother;
Her fearful eyes grief betrayed
She vainly strove to smother,
drew her throbblng breast 10 mine,
Pushed back her nut-brown hair,
And on her brow pressed my lips,
And rained warm kisses there. r.
When gazing up into my face,
MID spbs, she sadly said
"This Is the birthday OF our James,
Our loved, our lost, our dead ,..-.
Just one and twenty years ago.
A happy Christmas morn
The angels tarrled at our home
And gave us onr first born" ......f
Twelve months ago that noble boy,
So young and strong and proud,
Essay ed to fight the world alone -
In lar-oT ctty's crowd. Il
Led OH BY high ambitions aim,
Resolved 10 dare and do,
That toilsomc weight and cares might fall
Less heavily on YOU"
And how one day message came,
"You know, dear, how 1t read;' .. r..
"God pity you," the words began,
And ended, "He is dead!'
And yOnder In the churchyard still,
Where weeping willows wave
And droop their mournfu branches down,
They've made his hallow'd grave" =
All! do You wonder am sad
This holy Christmas day?
That I've no heart for dolls and toys, -
And romping chlldren's play?
Nay, ask me not 10 smile and sing
The songs of other years;
My heart has naughL TO comfort 1t
Except these yelling tears"
led her past the parlor door
And drew 10 her chair, ...
And on my knees neelly bent
And ask ed OF God in prayer,
That comfort for her troubled heart,
His love alone could bring,
That love which dries the mourncrs tears,
That robs death Of its sting.
And then ..aok the Bible down,
And read n Sncred Png2,
SO full OF love and comlUTtiaSs
For every rank and aye. -
Then all about the little Babe,
The good old Shepherds found,
Hid in Il lonely mangcr bed,
On Bethl'em'S hallow'd ground:
And how he grew and wnxed in strenth,
And preached the Fathers Word
His blessed promiSes-that call
Should live with Him. that heard"
I read about the lowly Christ
Vt .Jordan's sacred fUunt
His words Of hope and comfort IN
His sermon on the mount.
And then read about the cross,
The death on Calvary
The sacrifice that God had made
For us-f0r her and me.
And then told her God was good,
His slain Lamb was the test;
He was not pleased in chast'ning US,
And did all for the best.
Perhaps, dear wifi, God took our boy
To draw us nearer Him..
And bring us safely 10 His fold,
Where's neither death non sin.
She raised her Hcaven.l eyes to mine
And said "His will be DONE
l give to God my heart, my all,
And yield to Him my SON."
The children heard us laugh and sing,
And ran 10 hear the noist;.'
And brought with them their dolls ard druI
And other Christmas toys.
Gods sunlight shown upon their checks,
and in their little eyes
There beamed the sparks Of happiness
Bright gems from Paradise.
A halo fingered DER the group,
knew that God was there:
And in his plentltudc Of love,
lie answered Inc my prayer