St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-02-19

Following the sound and pok'nR
about with his hands, his staff, and
his lame feet, he found a cradle OF
bark. almost covered by the snow
in which was a child so bundled in
flannel that he could not see its face.
"Who could have left thee here to
freeze, my little one? 2" he said gently
"Surely the Lord led me to thee :;
and wrapping his cloak about the
cradle, he took the bundle in his arms
and plodded on.
Ec had forgotten his staff, but
found that he needed it not. The
path was no longer slippery nor the
way difficult to find, and long before
he expected he saw the light shining
through the chinks Of his own small
hut.
Although the snow was stllfallng
heavily, the wind no longer roared
in the trees and, as he drew near, he
/ whistled as it was his custom to DO
to give warning of his coming. The
moment the shrlll note was heard
the door flew open and the children
rushed to welcome him.
"Oh, what have you there, Grand
father Peter?' they camored.
"A gift for our candle mass. Here,
daughter Gretchen, what think ye p
THAT hope it may be candles
from the castles, for the wood mice
have gnawed through and eaten ours,
every one"
"Alack a-day p said the old man,
ut is not candles. Open the bundle
and tell me what thou tbnkest."
THAT it is the most beautiful child
that mortal eyes ever looked upon.
Look We, my darlings, and see what
the Lord hath sent! But what shall
we do about candles, my father p
"Outdo the witches and confound
the wood mice by making wooden
ones; but they shall be OF pitch pine,
hard and fat, that have been saw
ing tor an illumination when our
young. king wins great victory.
Give me my hatchet and let me warm
the handle; my old fingers are numb
with cold and as he held the Ratchet
handle over the blaze he told how he
had promised to return TO the castle.
Gretchen was taking the child
from its bark cradle, her children
pressing closely tor peepat the little
stranger, when Patience exclaimed =
ooh, look the cradle beneath the
blanket is filled with beautiful caudles
OF red and green and blue and yell
low !"
"And candles OF the finest wax
they are. Prepare the pine also,
father, and will 60 with thee to the
castle. The children shall stay here
and care for this sweet child"
Surely you can trust him to me, /"
said Patience. "The Others can all
go to the castle and help to carry
the pine and then to the church"
Each child in turn begged to have
charge of the tiny guest, even to the
little Thankfulness, and they all
brought their porridges begging to
to share their supper with the pretty
waif.
Zone spoonful from EACH" said the
wise mother, and while they stood
around admiring it's white cheeks
into which faint rose tint was
creeping, and its dear blue eyes, it
seemed to them that its beautiful
golden hair, as it caught the fire
light, made a halo about its shapely
head.
The woman saw it too and whis-
pered: GAS we have done it unto
the least of these We have done it
unto me- We will not leave the
child we will all go and take it with
us, and we will go at once if you
have enough of the pine splints, my
father"
81 have enough" said old Peter.
"The wood is so full of frost that it
flies in pieces at touch OF the Ratchet
Let us all take burden and then be
off"
Keep the candles for your own
use, since no one knows you had
them" said a voice at the door
land leave the child and bring him
up as your own,-a fine lad will h,
soon be, and yours are only girls"
Looking up, they saw one OF the
servants from the castle regarding
them with an evil gaze
Get thee behind me, Satan!" sale
Gretchen, stepping out into the
snow, and leading the way with tn,
babe held closely to her breast.