The Mena star., 1898-12-21
A TOUCHING CHRISTMAS Sro.-


 We find touching ch~;s. by Katherine L. Stevenson toa s'ory for our pages. It begins thus. Ong From the steeple chimed the glad hon-
 And the lights flashed through tba lnrough the biinding sleet and sno,r sH'' Shedding floods of glory light: "reashs And all hearts were filled with g,.a.
 AS the bells pealed forth their cb,n,n' Songs and laughter. praise and antha
 Filled the earth twas Christmas timo Al hearts did we says Look closer.
 See the wan face, grief filled cves Of woman, hurrying past you
 Clothed so thinly-hear inc or,o. Of the babe she clasps so closely.
 While with tiny hand clutcbaa ,,u.. In the worn shawl's tattered frinoas
 And with sweet face all alight With the wonder of the Christmas
 By her side little child Ferce the wind-gusts, wild the temnas,
 Oh, the night with storm was wiId, Mammal Mammar' sobbed faint vo, "Mamie's tired, tan't walk no more Let's do in an hear de singin,
 Dess its warm inside dat doorr,
 The mother enters the church q, babe In its warmth falls asleen hu. the little girl, inspired by the plor;oas music, listens almost breathless,u the good pastor tells of Jesus. sua denly she starts up, says to her mothsr. An he iubs us, lubs us, mamma.
 Go an me. I dess I'll do Tell dat we ain't dot muffin
 T eat to our house, and don't 'oo knowp, And before the startled mother
 Could the childish purpose stay Up the broad aisle battered Mamie
 No one thought to say her nay. Right up to the fower-wreathed pulpit. Right up to the kindly face Looking down in love upon her.
 Out she spoke with baby grace: ''Pease, dee sir. If 'oo is Desus.
 Or h!s 5F;svvsT, won | oo send Sumpin t'eat to me an mamma.
 Tause we've dot no uver fwiendy "An' my bruver is baby,
 Des lite Desus used to be- Through rain of kindly tear drops
 She was lifted to the knee Of the man who talked of Jesus.
 Friends he said, in kushy tones. "Christ has come again in child. form
 Shall we place him on his thrones "'Whoso to the least one giveth'-
 An, | see you know the restl- Small need there to press the message. Small need there to make request. We'll filled purses poured forth treasure. Tear-filled eyes looked on the child As she nestled in the strong arms.
 Looking out with wonder mild. Oats my mamma way bat dare, sir;
 Oh, she's kwyin, let me do; Go tum too, an teil her, won't 'ooY
 How dood Desus lubs her sosr "oh my God. my God.' burst wildly
 From those lips long sealed to prayer. = = yoa ~s'fsiTis through my ciiids heartr Doyou live, and do you carer 'Is there mercy yet for me- Lord7n
 Mamies hand is on her cheek. Don't 'oo kwy, pease don't kwy. mamma, Desus libs here-hear him peak" Sister" softly said His servant
 But no other word there came, For the vaulted church-roof echoed Loud and clear another name "oh my daughther. Oh my daughter" And sweet wan face bent low Der that face 80 scared with sins stains Mother-love whose depths can knowi Then the peace of God came gently Ger that hushed and waiting throng, Till the pastor softly, sweetly
 Sang anew the angels song: " Peace on earth, good will from heaven, Reaching far as man Is found, Souls redeemed and sins forgiven" How the glorious notes resound Angel voices join the chorus,
 Strike anew the harps' glad sound; "Christ Is born again at Christmas She, once lost to Him, is found.