The record-union., 1891-12-05

Snowflakes fell like the veil of bride,
Caressingly down at 'Yuletide"
Mantled the snow-enshrouded town
In a spaEgled robe of softest down.
Festooned in holly the festive scene
Bright with garlands of red and green;
Illumed by flashing CLEANS of light,
Through frosted panes of windows bright.
Cherry faces with roseate glow,
Softly kissed by the falling snow
Beamed expectant from the gliding throng-
Hearts o'eriow'd with mirth and song.
Maid, matron, son and aged sire,
Dressed in holiday attire
Gave sweet response to the haDpy call
Merry Christmas to one and all.
Sleigh bells jingled in ~ chime,
The village clock mark The flight of time,
The organ pealed its Il. CIem sweet
Soft echoes answered from the street.
A little girl with bright blue eyes,
Paused here, and there, in mute surprise
Little May, scarce eight years old
With clustering curls like crown of gold.
She'd often heard of the Holy Child,
Born IN manger, where angels smiled:
Sadly she peer'd through each window pane,
And wondered If the eangels would smile again
Shyly she entered the village store.
PUSHING her way through the crowded door;
Ten cents in silver, for tea and bread.''
Over her face, so wan and fair.
There crept a look of blank despair,
AND she thought of pies. so many nice things
The joyous holiday brings.
"But ma must have her cup of tea:
Better for her than it is for me,
For she is i'll, and this l know
Twill make her strong-she told me So"
The store was crowded; mid its noisy whirl
Unheeded sat the little girl;
Down her cheeks the tear-drops crept,
Tined OF waiting, at last she slept.
Many passed. and saw her there:
Many praised her golden hair;
Meanwhile the little dime lay prest
In her folded hand across her breast
Sweet smiles caressed her baby face.
As If they would the tears efface:
One there was, bent low, and smiled.
Long she gaZed on the sleeping child.
A woman, of pure, seraphic face,
Black-robed, with modest grace,
A faithful servant of the siSterhood,
HelleYlng want and doing good.
Gently from the tiny hand withdrew
The hidden dime so bright and new:
In its place two silver dollars cleaned
Inc glVer's eyes with love and pity beamed.
As on she passed with footsteps light.
An earthly angel from mission bright.
HE that giveth to the poor, lendeth to th
LoId."
The store was empty ere the clerk espied
The sleeping child. "Wake up" he cried:
She rubbed her eyes and then awoke;
In sweetest accents thus she spoke:
"Oh, such pretty Christmas dream
l saw Santa Claus and his reindeer team:
Around him stood an angel band
One of the angels touched my hand,
And led me up to beautiful tree;
Everything on it was there for me;
Mamma was well, and happy, too,
For the angels gave her plenty TO dor
Just then the silver coins she saw,
Her wondering eyes lit up with awe:
''Oh, now | know. Twas no surprise,
But a true angel in disguise.
"And you, kind sir, opened the door.
And let her in TO clerk in your store.n
Who shall say they are not earth?
Ye that know their sterling worth
Like that sweet child, who believed so much.
In her simple faith of an angels touch
We entertain them unawares,
Accept their gifts, but the glory's theirs
Eureka, Nev November 25, 1891.