La Junta tribune., 1898-01-22
The Ch-istnas Rose.

- - AA0 AAsh1tsSS<Sp s8+es~D
tl,eir eyergreennsss which has snf-
landed the years. Of al ages sna eiIae
looked WITH disdainful wonder and dts
approval 1t the modest little Christ-
mas rose. which fair fingers had inter
tvined among the sinuous. glossy
green foliage and scarlet white per
ries Of Christmas wreath.
'.sThe Christmas rossr And the hosr'
~ rustled its shiny-toothsd leaves %
angfiiy at the little INTRUDER that ono
of its sharpest points pierced the tender
heart Of the Christmas rose. ana ie teie
that Il was dying. AZ II lay Qutver-
ing in agony 1t heard the proud boast
ing Of the naughty evergreens ana
trembied at the scornful glances which
they bestowed upon the humble little
Christmas flower. For they boosted 2
lineage dipping back into the darkness
OF pagan antiquity.
"I-why. have verdured the winters
Of ages" said the holly. Il have known
all climes. all religions. In my hafdi-
ness and strength have wreathed my
shining leaves and bright red berries
round columns and pillars which long
since have fallen into ruins and crumb-
led. away. have trailed my enduring
beauty through centuries, which have
long since cycled into their past tense.
have decorated the affairs OF all reiis-
ions with my brishtness-the pagan
temples Of the ancient sun worshipers.
the temples Of the Greek god Jove. the
temples OF the Roman Saturn. was
baptized into christianity in the blood
of the early Christians and my scarlet
berries took on ruddier hue. l was
at one time both pagan and Christian.
bedecking the pagan festivities OF the
Romans and at the same time screen
ing with my thick clustering branches
the worship OF the Christians.
"I-oh, l am enduring: one OF the
earth's indispensables: citizen Of the
world: cosmopolitan Of the universe!
Even you,". and he turned TO the
.osely, pale mistletoe. even you can
not boast such worldwide popular
ityr'
In the heart OF the mistletoe arose
the mighty Celtic pride Of ancestry;
arose the mysticismf Of the olden
Druid days Of ancient Wales. and in
lofty scorn she replied: Although In
modern thought have been associated
chiefly with Christmas festivities and
kisses. yet among my kinsmen. the an
cient Celts. have ever been held sa-
cred: the mystical plant Of the Druids
and the principal object Of their vener-
alton; and when clinging to an oak.
was prized beyond rubies and pearls.
II am Christmas evergreen now. but
in the olden days my gala day was New
Years Day. when the great Druidical
festival of the Welsh wss celebrated.
Ny cutting was the nost solemn relig-
foua rite Of the sear. On this occa-
sion the ancient Druids. habited in
their white robes, wearing long boards
and carrying wands. walked In solemn
procession toward the oak ON which !.
the mystic plant. was growing. One
of them ascended into the tree. and cut
my clinsing branches with golden
knife, while another stood below to
catch me a. l fell. And them" and she
lifted her white berries in great pride.
and then. two milk-whits bulls were
sacrificed In my honor. and great feast
ing and rejoicing were held in wor-
ship Of the mystic mistletoe." and she
looked with utmost complacsncy at the
holly. and cast . withering glance at
the shrinking Christmas rose. while
you," turning to the holly. have pleas
ed the eye OF man with your beauty.
I have given pleasure to his heart.
How many times have my branches
thrilled, and my berries trembled with
the shock Of that sweetest kiss. given
under my magic boughs? ! have been
at once the peril and delight Of beauty:
and the golden opportunity Of chival-
~; and in the heart Of both have
bssn frequently blessed" and with an
air OF supreme satisfaction that she
had been Instrumental In creating hap
pineAs she ceased speaking.
Yes, they were both arigtocrAtsl And
they turned look Of such calm dis
dainful scrutiny upon the now thor
oughly humbled Christmas rose that it
blushed rosily in its humiliation; and
to this day It has retained its modes-
II and pink tips Of its blushing petals.
And seeing Its tlmidity thsy scorn-
fully questioned its right to mingie its
loveliness with their leaves and bor.
rtes: and the Christmas ross hreathed
t5rtL its longings to become . Christ
mas evergreen.
'.It was 20 chill and dark In the
earth's bosom; but one day . great
trembling came upon the earth, and In
the nssurs above my heed 1 saw the
golden light: and the light drsw me
ever toward II, until 1t last / had left
my dark hiding place and looked upon
tie fair whits world: and heard the
singing Of carols. which they told me
vers Christmas carols. and heard the
words Christ. and meek and lowly,'
aaA someAow was not afraid to be
abroad in the world; for It seemed then
- - nlled with Esntlsness and the
sD1rit oe love. And my heart opened
" he beauty and love Of lIfs ana I
eavs 70 The Christmas time ! fair