The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-12-26
ACHRISTMASSTORY.
From Tho Mount, Mt do chantal.
AWARDED lIrst nrlsol


The weather was clear and cold, all
that one could wish for ChrIstmas-al-
thouGN but one short week before
many young heads were shaken Jloom-
lily and many dcspplring words were
spoken by the owners OF them because
me weather was so warm, aud many
old heads had nodded sagely and
mumbled pruphetlcally the old ndagr
about green Christmas and the prom
lAed consequences; never IN the least
Instance, thinking that they would be
the ones ON whom these would most
likely fall.
But all this was changed now, For
several days II had ruincd, and showed,
and frozen In turn; course Of proceed.
inEs that had brought about the very
happlest result II Ideal winter weather
We're the end In view.
II was the afternoon before Christ
mas, The air was alive with the iing-
ling OF the sleigh bells, the sound OF
merry voices, and the ring OF happy
laughter, The sun added brightness,
hut not warmth, TO the scene
ON the Ice We're thOsn TO whom this
form OF sport was more attractive. As
they SLATED before the wind, In their
tight lifting jackets and caps, they
were the picture OF youthful health and
happiness. Nature had lent Jack Frost
her brightest carmlne to Rdorn themf
and he had done his work we'll Those,
toward whom he had felt most goodwill,
had only their cheeks touched with his
fairy tints; but others, against whom
he must have had some sort OF personal
Grudge, hpd only their noses painted
But, Notwithstanding, one and all We're
merry And, II perchGnce, some youth
81. .. N..n
the Ice, he would respond only with Il
bright laugh. and shout to his compnn-
ions, that they, too, might enjoy the
funny mIshap--as all boys will, you
know, And II this befcll some one older
and more dignlled, he would give hasty
glance around. to sec whether anyone
was looking; then get up hurTledly, his
greatest desire In the world, for the
time, being to get away quickly from
the spot where his pride had suffered u
fall,
And the snow balls, how hard they
We're, and how they did sting, NJ
course. the boys enjoyed them, and
many painful hurt was sneered at, or
ignored But when they struck some
chance rasser-by, then. even though
It was Christmas, an angry impreca-
tion or threat OF punishment was sure
to follow.
And the store windows! Here toys
and candles of all colors, shapes and de-
scrlption were displayed TO the view OF
chance purchaser. In n temptlngly
prnmlscuOus manner. How beautiful
were the homes. with their trimmings
OF holly. and palm. and mistletoe! And
as evening east Its shadows over the
world, how the bright illumlnRtiOns
added to this scene. How cosy and
comfortable they appeared! Most OF
the pleasure seekers have gone home
now, SO let us turn our attention in
doors. TO one house In particular, where
we, together with little boy that IL
standing outside, looking In so wistful-
ly. and trying to imagine that some OF
the warmth and good cheer comes out
to him as he stands there shiveTing In
the cold. will fix our gaze.
First, are the grandfather and grand
mother, on whose faces are the lines
which time and the cares OF years are
sure 10 imprint; on the Erown-up sons
and daughters: and on the merry faced,
excited little grandchildren, who have
seen so few Christmnses, and these
have been the happiest days OF their
years TO them
Surely. trouble could not enter here
behind these tightly closed doorsl But,
yes there II was. and from Its shrine Of
a heavy gold frame. that hung Just
above the mantel-piece. It's embodiment
was looking down on them all with eyes
that saw not and ears that did not
hear.
II was the portrait OF one who had
not Joined the fnmily party tonight
nor for some years past.
He had been the youngest child OF his
parents. the child VI their old age, unda
promising stay for their last years.
But, alas for human wisdom! Their
will and his had come i:.-u opposition:
neither would yield; he had married
against their wishes. and had been ban
Ished from his home, and disinheriied.
They had not seen him after.
He had Joined the army. and, tho
they knew II not. jugt three years be-
fore. the southern stars were shining
down on a face, so white and still. up
turned to them. and they were wonder
ing, dlmly, perhaps, why Il never NOV
cd nor stirred. and how Il could rest
80 peacefully and quietly on such n
hard, hard. bed
The evening passed on; n light snow
was falling, and the little onlooker, not
50 cold now. but weary. sat down on
the steps 20 rest before he should re-
turn TO the attic that he chilled home
He had lived there with his mother
until her death, few months since,
and then he had just stayed on,because
the people had let him, and-had been
kind to him, as the poor ARE to the poor
But Tonight, they, too, were busy
preparing for Christmas In their own
humble way, and had not given
thought to the little waif who WIS de-
pendent on their charity.
The bells arr ringing out their mes
sage OF peace on Earth. Good VIII
Towards Men" and the inmates OF this
house have come out, just for n minute
10 take in the first breath OF Christmas
They notice the little figure huddlcd I'M
close 10 the door. clad now In robe OF
snowy white, which the angels must
have woven because no human hand
could have made anything 90 fine and
delicate, and which melted away hefore
the ilghtest mortal touch as II protaned
blythe contact. Flake by nnkeh hndbeen
added. and now II was complete.
Tenderly they raise the little body
and carry II carefully into the warmth.
on which II had looked no obviously but
short time before. and into the group
OF which II was now the central figure.
But these things were as naught 10 u
now.
All estoratlycs were applied. The
little cold hands were rubbed and chat
al In vain. Neither animation nor cir
culation could be restored
Fer now. the little soul. clad In robes
Of Innocence. had Joined It's praises
with those Of the heavenly choir, whose
10y II & to sling forever GLORY to God In
the Highest"
Around the child's neck they found q
little chain and lDckct. worn and
dinEcd. In one Bldc Of which was the
face N him from whom they had turn.
ed In wrath. and In the other, that or
hnr nm ,ukntn IhnY would not look IN