The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-12-26

| pClDOh anu llNNiO OlFo
had the JOY of giving as well as receiv-
ing.
"Merry Christmas mother, merry
Christmas father" rang out Hattie's
voice bright and early Wednesday
morning; and as the little group OF three
sat down to breakfast each looked sus-
piciously under the plate before them.
Hattie found perfect gem of watch
from her father and heavy gold ring
from her mother, each with the name
and date beautifully engraved.
Mr.. Carol found pair of exquisItely
embroidered suspeDders from Hattie,
and from his wife the customary slip
pers of which he stood very much in
need. Mrs Carol found an embroid-
cred handkerchief which must have cost
Hattie many long hours of patient toll
so exquisitely fine and nice was the
work; and from her husband key to
something; what, she had yet to learn,
After the exchange of congratulations
had subsided, and grace said in which
the blessings of the hour were not for
gotten, breakfast was served. After
which the morning devotions were en-.
joyed and then each went about their
own duties.
Miss Carol now began to hustle about
with considerable energy. The tree and
the evergreens soon came. Spreading a
white cloth in convenient place at one
end Of the parlor, she had a deep bucket
brought, into which she had the tree set;
filing the bucket very compactly with
heavy articles that balanced the tree and
kept it in place. Then sprinkling the
tree and the cloth plentifully with crys-
tai powder, she had very good repre-
sentative of snow. She labelled the
booklets and hung them in convenient
places, and then sat down to make the
wreaths of holly and evergreen. This
was no small task, but she had deter
mined to do it all herself, and with per-
severence they were finally all finished.
Then procuring a step-ladder she soon
had the parlors festooned and wreathed
in all the greenness of Christmas tide.
Late in the afternoon the flowers
came. She arranged and labelled the
bouquets and put them in a cool place
until evening. As her mother had de-
sired to take charge of the refreshments
there was little more for her to do, but
Miss Carol needed a little rest Tor she
had spent very busy though very
happy day.
When it was nearly time to expect
her guests, she arr nged the flowers on
the tree, and the effect was pronounced
delightful.
Hattie was radiant in smiles as she re-
ceived the young ladies assisted by her
mother. Pretty and bright and happy
they sll looked. The "artists" of the
occasion sang as charmingly as possible;
and after number of selections, it was
found that the young ladies themselves
were nearly all good singers and fine
chorus was added to the attractions Of
he hour. MISS Sanford had delight
ful cnat with Mrs. Carol and her hus-
band, who helped to entertain the guests
in very felicitous manner. One of the
company was something of an elocu-
zionist. and she contributed her mite by
several character sketches, causing no
little merriment.
At length Mrs. Carol said it was her
turn to entertain, and inviting them all
into an adjoining room they found a
bountiful table spread and awaiting
their pleasure. We will not attempt a
description of the effects of the flowers
and fruit and the tempting array of good
things. Nothing was omitted which
would have been done for the most dis
tinguished guests; and Miss Sanford and
the hard working girls were made to
forget for time at least that theirs was
life of toll.
After returning again to the parlors
Mr.. Carol said he bad Christmas duty
to perform; and going TO the tree, he
commenced to disrobe it of its beauty;
calling off the names, as he did so, that
were attached to each article.
The beautiful roses were enough to
make any girl glad, and the surprise and
delight of the merry party knew no
bounds, as one after another of the en-.
tire group received the lovely flowers
and at the same time a beautiful little
booklet, each in itself treasure a
souvenir that would he carefully treas
ured up for many year.
At late hour, the company separated
tie girls all declaring they hal never
spent happier evening and saying they
should certainly come, sometimes.t to the
church to hear the lovely singing.
Hattie thanked the three singers very
cordially for their assistance as she bade
them good night, and there was some
thing she saw in the dark eyes Of the
handsome basso" that made her cheeks
very rosy as she closed the door.
And there was something very tender
in her fathers voice as he kissed her
good night after the devotions. and Mrs.
Carol said as she kissed the bright,
sweet face :
81 am very proud of my daughter to.
night"
Her mothers praise was very sweet to
Hattie, and as she went to her room, she
found another reward awaiting her. 1t
was beautiful motto. framed and hung
up on the walls from the scripture text
found in Luke XIV, 1914, and condensed
in the couplet,
"Call not thy friends unto Thy feast;
Call in the poor, and thou art blcst."
| She recogn z-d at once the skill of her
mothers deft fingers in the beautiful
scroll work-and the love that made SO
much of her simple effort to do a kind
ness "in his name"
And so Christmas and it's deeds of love
was over: hut the results of Hattie Car
rolls one effort to do good were not yet
reached.
Gradually all the girls in Miss San
ford's employ strayed into the church
and Sunday school of which Hattie was
a member; and in due time they all
united with the church. and became &C
tive CO operators in the good work Of the
society.
Hattie herself became one of the lead
ing spirits IN every effort to reach the
poor and lowly, always dating her first
step in the right direction on the night
of the little Christmas party.
One other result we will add. for the
benefit of our romantic friends /: "The
handsome basso," could not forget the
impressions he received that night Of the
unassuming and unselfish young lady
who made the evening such a delight "a
all present; and 80 another Christmas
there wae q wedding at Mrs. CarTol's.-