The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-12-18

healthy acsli.
already. Now, pray that the Lord will
send his servant Kris to your humble home
tonight. Up, up, little Shamroc; and
Erin! Away on our mission of love!
O, splendid lady OF long ago. We would
that the country was full of just such as
you wtre. She knew Mr. and Mrs. Walton
by sight and when she met them on the
streets at Elkton they had long talk
Mr. and Mrs. Walton came home and the
children told them all that Mrs. Butler
Lyons had said. The father gathered up
the i've grain bags and had them ready for
the emergency. Soon the good lady went
past the cottage. The two beautiful hay
mares were impatient to get home, and
were pegging along at a 2.4O gait. And
did you see inside of that big two-horse
carriage great rolls of cloth and dress goods
bundles and parcels in profusion, rocking
horses, sleds, and, in fact, whole toy shop
seemed to be in that carriage. Who, o
who, are they for? know, do you?
Five little hearts will be glad in the morn
When the sunbeams Of heaven come stream.
ing
On the day that the Lord Of glory was born,
And His love in those little hearts beaming.
At s o'clock sharp Mr.. Walton said
"Away, little lambs, to dreamland. May
your visions be of him who said, 'Suffffer
the little children to come unto me and
forbid them not, for of such is the king
dom of heaven.
Mr. Walton went out to the road and
gazed for long time in the direction of
Mackalls mill. The queen of uight was
well up and moving West in her glorious
travel to world beyond.
"Mother! Mother! She comes! Hark."
None but the majestic Paddy can make
those clear ringing sounds, nor none but
the snow white beauty carries such a
precious burden, said his loving wife, join
ing him at the gate.
Pit-a-pat pta-pat, came the sound of
Paddy's feet up the far side of Miler's
hill. He is coming. He walks down the
other side of Miler's hill, then that stately
pit-a-pat rings out again.
o. see, they appear, and the moons sill
very rays are playing hide and seek between
Paddy's milk white name and his lovely
mistress beautiful glossy black curls.
run, mother, to the house while open
the gate" But the dear mother was fas-
cinated by the beautiful apparition.
The noble Paddy, came up to where Mr..
Walton held the gate open and wheeled
and entered and the lady sprang from his
glossy back without assistance, while the
man said: 81 will tie your horse, madam.
'Oh! no, Paddy is never fastened he will
never leave his mistress. He and Mike
meaning the Newfoundland dog-will be
within call when am ready to go.'
By this time the carriage was coming
over Millers' hill 1t was beautiful night
and they awaited its arrival, the lady
fondling her horse and dog till it drove up.
Then they passed into the little house
and began to arrange for the Joy that
should greet the little ones in the morning.
Everything shat child's heart would
crave seemed to be in evidence, to say
nothing about nice warm clothing, shoes
and stockings. And old Pete, the speckled
rooster, wouldn't be needed that day, for
that splendid turk which would tip the
scales at twenty pounds will take his place
at dinner.
Every bag is filled up, and the table is
full and in fact, the house is nearly full.
Good bye" said the lady, "a happy
Christmas to all"
With neigh Paddy is by her side, Mr..
Walton quickly places chair, when
the lady mounts and is gone. But the
scene the next morning was something de.
lightful to behold. The father and mother
were already up when the bright rays Of
the sun began its peeping in at the win.
dows Mr.. Walton went to the stair door
and called:
"Oh, children, Kris (bless his old white
head), has been here. Come! oh, come
and see"
Betsy gathered up little Ned, and such
scamper to get down stairs, Oh! Oh! Oh!
from all Of them, and how reluctant we
ring down the curtain on those little ones
of yore, but the want Of space forbids that
we linger.