The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-12-26
A CHRISTMAS I'VE.
BY DE WITT c. sPRAGUE.

How the Snow Kings white battalons charged
DER woodland. town and plain,
Hoarssiy howiing GerceIy cutting right and left
with might and main,
Tearing Off the toughest branches, bending low
Screaming through the valleys bosom, laundering
onward to the sea.
Christmas Eve. twas; a New England ancient
town; some miles below
Where the is. stood a cottage lone, half buried
in the snow.
Piled by storms That had been raging for the past
three days more.
MingIing their relentless fury with the maddened
oceans roar.
In that dwelling sat matron and around her chill
dren three.
While they chartered Of the Christmas. still. and
pale md sad she.
He who years ngoue had wooed her made her then
his happy bride,
Made her welded life 50 joyous was not there that
Chrisimastide.
Duty stern from her had called him. for his perilIed
land to fight;
at Is Freedoms cause" so said he and against
1t Siayerys might"
Teuderly he kissed his darlings. and embraced
them one by one.
Taking then his child, the eldest by the hand, and
said: My son.
IL must go yet can safely leave our dear ones to
your care
You are young. but strong and able such duty
now TO bear.
If in battle should perish, oh be good and brave
and true,
For your widowed mother then must lean, my no
bic boy, you"
Since that parting twenty months had dragged
their anxious course away,
Aud the soldier had fought bravely there In many
bloody fray.
All. at last the news so startling came of disas-
trOus fight.
hight.
Soon the dreadful list of losses to the little cottage
came.
Aud cry OF bitter anguish showed it bore the
husbands name.
Badly wounded with the missing" were the only
tidings there,
Leaving in that womau's bosom hope hard s,rug-
Cling with despair.
But she hid her heavy sorrow, checking cen the
starting tears
That the children should not notice her anxiety
aud fears.
still she grieved and prayed in secret hoping from
Yirginia's plain
Soon 10 hear that lac living but she hoped and
hoped in vain,
For message had yet reached her the dull ach-
ing to allay.
And the strong hope OF the morning tainted with
the close of day.
Now was come again the Christmas; back her
thoughts few to each bright
Christmas they had spent togetheri-where, oh
where was he that night?
To herself she softly murmured, "God restore the
absent one,
If alive; If not. oh, Faiherl not my will but Thine
be done"
Mamma" spake the little Nary-sOarcely more
than five was She
why isn't papa here this Christmass Mamma,
dear, you said he'd be.
20 wish dear papa'd come and Santa Claus come
with him, too;
With nice paythHgs ill our stockings; mamma,
mamma say don't yoa?"
feared to speak.
For her aching heart beat wildly, teardrops trem-
bled on her check.
~ must make these dear ones happy, though their
father Is not here"
o.. q Z.
startled ear.
Who can that be. said she. anxious. out in such
u dreadfal slorme
Surely Ills a way-worn stranger seeking rest and
shelter warm"
Open. Robert. DEAR so babe she. to the visitor
the door,
And assure if cold and hungry he may share our
little store,
And may at our ireside warm him, and his weary
body rest.
Though our little home is humble, not with rich
profusiOn blest."
Robert did his mothers bidding, in the words
which she had said,
And the stranger quickly entered with close-muf-
fled neck and head.
For moment lac was silent, as II fearing to IN
trude,
Barred his face, then-husband father In the room |
before them stoodi
" John, my ownl Oh. God of goodness " and into |
his arms she spraHg,
While the children all chung to him loud With low
their voices rang.
VIII.
Who can tell that Joyful storyf Who cab paIngSant
bssiul scene?
With such moments no man meddlesh; let US draw
the sacred screen.
But the soldier briefly told them how In Libby long
he lay,
'Tnl Brother" came and freed him. that he |
might be home this day.
TX
I'm so glad" said little Mary, that don't know
what to do;
But why did you not, dear papa. bring old Santa |
Claus with you?
"see, our stockings waiting for him, hanging In
that pretty row;
Pm afraid tonight he win not come through all |
the storm and snow"