The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-27
silent Night.

RI, with itself. All the religions and
races of the earth, with nearly three
f,urths OF its area and peoples. had for
sal,cn the God principe ana were being
crushed under the c.uvcn hoof of war.
The whole world seemed bent on de-
youring the achievements of all the
n.llenniums of mankind. and, rcverting
In sayagcry, called upon the name of
God only to give them strength TO SOW
run upon the earth and eXtcrminate
H. human images
The Great War had opened its mouth
Ike the jaws of he'll. Dantc's Inferno
burned 10 the very hearthstoncs of the
people. Famine and death F.rode over the
secthing nations like demons ncarnate.
The rivers ran red with the hood OF
men. while wolves howlcd through the
FORESTS Enawing at the bodies of the
dead soldiers left in the wake of armies.
and vulturcs pcckcd at the cold stark
eyes of men.
cold and hunger laid their hands
heavily upon the rJt.ors Cntil they
threatened to CONSUME a generation o.
strong men. So il WIS When the heavy
SHOWS Of December. as if To obliterate
the scenes on the earth from the vision
OF us AItdlbls i.IANN AtAAAa NAAAh'
tbs over the hills and val cys while the
winds rose IN their terror to outvoice
the roar of the artillery.
Thus on the night before Christmas
the birthday of the Saviour who
brought to the world the message OF
glory TO God in the highest and on
earth peace. good will toward men
the mightiest armies in the annals of
IN, hA a -
battle lines of Europe followers Of ST.
John and ST. Paul. heirs Of Christ-and
sons OF God.
Mother" exclaimed sad eyed girl.
as she peered out into the darkness
from the frosty windows in a little red
brick cottage perched high on the
white cliffs of Dover, mother"
Her thoughts seemed far away, and
her words were low and filled with fear.
Before her rose the ghostly shadow OF
an ancient castle, the ruins of the days
Of the old Romans and the chivalrous
Normans below. as in the idyl Of Ten
nyson. the long glories of the winter
moon" irradiatod the harbor and cast
SIS rays far out into the Channel where
the Teutons were challenging the Brit
ons for tho sovereignty of the seas.
Yes. my chIld?'
Where where do you think our Al
fred is tonight? And what is ne doing
- YOU believe he is thinking of US?
The feeble old mother, crippled and
blind lying on her bed-who in her
elghtieth year had given her only son
to her country raised her trembling
hand ana brushed a tear from her
wrnklcd face. Her voice was swe't
with resignation
My daushtcr," she said, "it j. no;
for ~ to krow. God viii protect him
ana bring him home safe at last. We
mus. pray for the victory of the British
arms
The girl fingered a omont at the
window in revor!c. She peered out into
the night. as II trying to penetrate the
secrets of the darkness. The seas beat
upon the cliffs; a blast of snow and ice
N.- driven aSans. tho window pare.
a.. rg away. she placed candle
V..lr D.. cast its feeble rays ont into
;ao path Along the cl!n ana. S,roknL
.lc oI mothers forehead gently with
A.r hand. she kiss,d the tear stained
eye ANA went 90 bed.
Tul,. hundred miles across the North
Sea. uu ,lc banks Of the Rhine, IN the
town of Bonn. the home OF Beethoven
and d seat of German culture, there sat
another woman, alone. \ log flckcrcd
on the hearth. an old clock licked away
the minutes. \ loaf Of bread lay on the
tab,e. and under IL German flag.
The woman BCriha-a young wife
scarcely past 80 sat upright, her eyes
fastened upon h,r work. The needle in
her hand Piled diligently at the shoddy
fabric. Slowly it was transformed from
an old worn cloak all that she possessed
into a vest of black and orange, as
Christmas Gif, To her husband, ncr
soldier Gustav. far away in Flanders
WIN the q, rman army.
The young wifes lips We're pressed
tightly. She did not speak; there was
n one with whom she could speak. lie.
fingers moved patiently; the light in
the cmbcrs died away long drawn
SCH came from her lips.
And far TO the south, on the OUT
skirts of he forests of fontainehleau,
IN the village of that name from where
Napoleon was sen, into exile, there was
SUI another woman handsome, dark
eyed maiden of IS She sat in rri
cham or, her. black hair streaming
Gown her shoulders Slowly she pushed
h'.' ....I' 9lll'lI'4o nun Al'A AAlAs A''N
and withdrew the s!lkcn lingerie from
her slender limbs.
A. me drapery fell from her shout
oers she raised her graceful bare arms
and fondlcd "A lockct that lay on her
white breast. Lifting 1t in her thin
taperng fingers. she kissed II fer
ycn',y. Then opening II, she gazed into
Il now smothcring it with passionate
embraces to her heart, now pressing
her lips tIghtly TO il; now CareSsng it
t'nd"riy Holding the lockct AT arms
length. she stood motionlcss. her dark
eyes burning with wild desire untn
liz, seemed To- burst into flame.
"N.u Iicrrc,' she cried Mon
ic. Ny beloved My lover boy"
IA dark eyes Rlcd with tears like
'- flooding from the heart -
n"r lungings.
'..rr my life" she sobhcd "cumo
, H. .H lover mine. come home To-
-. raMuc' rlcl-c, please. my Pierre
'' me JUS for Tonight Oh
! muc'"
i'' thc form fen onto the bed.
j. uu hc: ,.bows, the tears
from hr eyes as she looked
". ..ay up tlc face in IT,. lockct
In. 4