The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1899-12-23

Christmas Day. What a blisstuI
world How brimful of wild, thought
less, childIike pie assures! How indica-
tive of universal freedom and IN
bounded relaxation! How pleasant to
the hard toiling of every genre-the
clerk at mis- desk, the laborer in the
field-to think of this blessed, happy
time-a time when children are douOIy
cheerful, and when old folks light up
their cOuntenanceS with a melancholy
vet pleasing smile. sad, too, to think
of their own youthful days, when they
we're as wild and as thoughtless as
their frisking grandchildren, who CLIMB
on the knees of their grave sires, and
after trying in vain TO summon d look
of gravity to their innocent counte-
narces ask for the Christmas story
Oh, yes; Christmas is indeed happy
time Even the gloomy world without
strives to assume a gay appearance
and though the crisp ground wears It's
somber mantle, yet the countless ue-
vices of the graceful evergreens Iend'
not in vain, their enchanting influences
to soften the wintry gloom. And per-
haps tbs not too much to say that the
hoary old King brings happiness to
all. True, it is no fault of his if there
are any who have no share in the gem
eral happiness, for he scatters his gifts
impartially around. Yet we occasion
ally see an upturned melancholy face,
that appears doubly unhappy when
contraSted with the surrounding J0yIul
countenances. Occasionally, too, we
may catch a glimpse of a dark figure
striding huTriedly along, as if to es-
cape from that happy world which has
nought of joy for him. But even with
those passing clouds old Christmas Is
a right merry fellow, and heartily do
we welcome him.
It was Christmas Eve of the year
1856. The winter had set in miserably
evere and the earth was envelOped in
gloomy veil of snow. The piercing
md whistled through the leaflesiS
rees, and died away with a sigh in
he far distance. Altogether there was
n air of gloomy melancholy in every
external object. which nothing but the
influence of the happy season could
soften
In a comfortably furnished drawing
room Of a house situated in one of the
fashionable streets of the metropolis
were seated two persons who seemed
totally ObliviOus of the chilly scene
without, and intent only on the more
agreeable prospect within. One was
young woman, apparently over 20 years
of age. Her cOuntenance, without be
ing decidedly beautiful, produced that
pleasing effect which usually accom-
panies amiability. Her face was some
what elongated and bore that slight
look of sternneSS which bespeakS the
mother.
Her companion was a singularly ma
jestic looking young man, who ap-
peared not to have reached a more adj
vanced age than his female companion.
His features were handsome, and a
look of determination which they wore
was softened by their candid and
straightforward expression. He was
leaning on a sofa, and gazing with
fond tenderness on the face of the fe-
male. who, as our readers may guess,
was his wife They had been married
some years, and the romance of their
youthful love had settled into a more
durable and perhaps not less warm af-
lection. Their union hal been blessed
by the birth of two children, and their
lot was, hitherto, perhaps as happy as
this uncertain world affords.
You seem unusually pensive, Ed
ward, this evening" was the remark of
the lady, who approached the sofa and
caresoingIy ran her fingers through the
ringlets of her husbands hair.
"A little pensive, perhaps, dearest
replied the husband.
Anything that l can alleviate, Ed
dy?"
We'll, yes. Milly, I think it cannot
withstand your influence. 1 was just
thinking that perhaps next Christmas
may bring some changes even to our
household"
You allude to the unsettled state
of the country. Eddy?"
Il do; the feelings of the people can
scarcely be depressed much longer.
However, Christmas eve is not time
for such reflections. Come, We'll have
a kiss from the little dears"
They arose and proceeded towards a
bedroom in which two of as beautiful
little infants as the eye of a mother
could love to contemplate We're buried
in the sweet sleep of innocence. Both
husband and wife remained still. gazing
with rapturous fondness on the love-
II children.
After a little time their eyes met.
and those happy parents embraced
each other in silence.
I'VE ought to be happy, Edward"
murmured Camilla, when she had dried
the tears that sheer happiness had
caused to flow.
I'VE ought, dearest. and we are" re-
piled Edward, as he raised the elder
of the infants from the bed and fondled
the little cherub with the tenderness
of q woman.
At the same moment the Christmas
joy bells sent forth merry peal, which
swelled upward in voluptuous harmony,
and bathed the city in a flood of rap
turous music.
IT'S Christmas day.
Without, the same pallid shroud en-
veloping the earth; within. the intoxica-
ton of innocent happiness.
Il had q strangt dream last night,
Eddy" remarked Camilla at break
fast
Grave or gay?@ inquired her hus-
band.
We'll. I must say it was not very
pleasant one. The fact is-but, there,
you're laughing in your eye at me
well, I dreamt that me rebellion had
broken out, and thatEyou were impris-
oned, Edward"
We'll, dearest, of course you don.
mean to attach any Importance to a
silly dream?" said Edward. on remark
ing the sadness which the recollection
of the dream had brought to the face
of Camilla.
No, Eddy" falteringly replied his
wife. but l must say it made an I'M
comfortable impression on me- How
ever, God is too kind to allow such a
calamity to befall u.s."
And if He did. how, think you
would you bear it, Milly?"
''Oh, Edward, replied his wife. "how
can you ask me such question? Why
I'd lie down and die