The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1897-02-19
HOW THE CHRIST FLO wERs
CAME.
MARY b. o'SullivAn in Donuhue's Mag
azine }

FOREST. The Whlrllng snow Joucneu
the tree tops; the starry flakes chung
to the branches or nuttered down,
pure as rose petals waited about on
the breath of angels. Soon the
frozen earth was hidden from view
and a great white world waited, in
solemn expectation, the coming OF
the Christ child.
Silence lay upon the forest. The
charcoal burners tended their
smouldering fires and dreamed OF
home, or, with simple faith, listened
for the shepherds message and the
angels songs.
When the midnight hour was nigh
a sound broke the stiffness, the wall
OF child in distress. The charcoal
burners crossed themselves and bud.
died closer to their fires.
"'Tis the cry from Bethlehem"
said Johann, reverently. "The Christ
child is born"
mo child of the Black Forest
would be abroad tonight" asked
Hans, uueasily, ''it might not be one
OF our little children
"Not SCI" asserted Michael, a
sturdy giant mo hausmutter in
the Black Forest could be so care
less. Content thee, Hans, thy little
ones, snug in their cot, dream OF the
angels, while thy good frau guards
their sleep, 1t is, as Johann says,
the echo from Bethlehem, or may hap
we have nodded and dreamed"
Hans was silent, but presently
stole away into the snow wreathed
depths Of the forest. A voice in his
heart was urging him on.
"May the star of Bethlehem guide
me Alright" he prayed. "If child
be abroad this holy night, lead me,
dear God, to Thy little one"
Again the wall Of distress smote
upon his ear: a sob was the answer to
his prayer, and STOPPING down, the
charcoal burner lifted from the snow
a babe scantily wrapped in swad,
ding clothes. Its feeble strength
was almost spent, so placing it in
his breast Hans sped through the
forest toward his home.
The hausmutter sat by her babes,
her face, beautiful with motherly
love, radiant in the glow of the
Christmas lights burning on the
humble tree.
And so Hans found her.
81 have brought thee one more,
Grethchep," he said as he placed the
babe on her bosom. "Succor it for
the Christ-childs sake"
"Who was born tonight" answer
ed the mother gently, and her love
flowed out to the waif, warming il
back to life.
The slumbering children stirred
aud wakened, and seeing the
stranger, rose from their cot, and
presently the hut rang with theil
rejoicing. The lights on the tree
twinkled like stars. The children
bore their guest toward it, loaded
him with choicest gifts, and played
about merrily, Hans and Gretchen
looking on, a great content in their
hearts.
Suddenly radiance not OF earth
illuminated the humble abode; the
waif was encircled by glory that
deepened and spread, till the char
coal burners hut became as an ante
chamber OF heaven. Hans anC
Gretchen fell on their knees il
alteration. The baby they had har
bored was passing from their vision
floating upward as il borne OF
angels wings, his tiny hands out
spread in parting benediction.
The children wept for the loss o
their playmate.
"Hush thee my darlings," whisper
ed the mother know you twas
the dear Christ child who came t.
! us and hath returned to heaven
Tomorrow thy father shall shoy
thee the spot where he found tn
holy babe"