The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-24
SroRF THAT THE WIND SANG
On Christmas I've Long Years Ago
Recalled.

On Christmas Eve Long Years Ago
Recalled.
Far away over the sea there IS a lit
tie island where the wind blows colby
from the north, where the moon looks
down on trees and lakes, where the water
is nearly always frozen and where the
sand hills lie for miles along the sea-
shore. 4 long, long time ago the sea
used 10 cover a great part of this island,
but II gradually receded. and each year
LEFT more land. The peasants used to
say that the Brownies drove il away so
THAI they might have more room 10 play
and dance. when all the world had gone
TO sleep one day there was a great
storm and the sel came roaring in, cover
ing the sand hills and carrying away the
few little cabins 'that were built on them,
with almost an the trees. The peasants
fed inland and took refuge in the woods
All escaped but one little baby that was
left sleeping in its cradle.
The storm was very fierce and the wind
rushed through the forest and did not an
swer when the old oak and the straight
pine tree asked. "Whot les the matter?"
Toward night however the wind came 10
little place In the woods where the birds
were singing sweetly and the roses bloom
ing round little cottage. IL was the new
home OF the woodcutter and his bride.
Everything seemed SO peaceful: the roses
nodded 10 each other as though they knew
all about IL. and the young wife sang at
her spinning wheel Her voice was sweet
and She sang TO the wind, just 80 that he
and the flowers could hear.
wind 50 kind
Loving wind;
WIND am nav Caerofe hoorfre-.
Tell my sweet
We soon shall meet
Tell nae, my love. is nearing"
That Is how her song ended, and the
aGd was touched and forgot his angry
hunt through the forest and stayed TO
mlrmgr a lullaby 20 the woodland birds
Then the storm died out and the sea sank
htch away from the sand hills. but left
them desoate and flooded. 80 that when
Ore Erof lies came out fer their midnight
s'amper they found nothing but pools Of
water, and branches. twigs and sticks
h1ating about. They had great fun. though
dancing IN and ont Of the half-destroyed
cabins. They peeped IN az the windows
ana Jumped down the chlmneys thinking |
iAtte was no one 10 see them But there /
WAS. for the little baby who had been left /
behind had lS'en taken good care Of by /
..e lalfies ana had nor even woke up TN
N ihe brownies began hopping over her
iaaie They looked so funny with their
hlue 'Wii o. the Wisp" lanterns and
one little Brownie, who was learning 10
wax and kept tumbline down. really look
el ao ridiculous that she had 10 laugh
t'snt out This made all the Brownies
'nshtened and they looked about for the
,'uae of che sound or course they soon
.Dlhd bebette for that was her name).
ana then they all looked very grave. What
we're hey 20 do? Brownies did not under
o.anl babiesl They could not even wash
ara dress her
FriAce Dot offered TO try, but he was
- very small they would not trust hirn.
tiey talked and looked serious and
lAelr fingers 10 their lips. trying TO
: ~ ar very wise. AT last they hit on /
: pan, 80 they tucked Babette I'D. coy
e,a. warm, and spread some pigeon-down
~" nsr' rocked her gently and sang