The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1917-12-22
CHRISTMAST
By Mrs. B. D. Allen.

CHRISTMASTIDE.
= By Mrs. B. D. Allen. :
>~>~%%%%%%%%>>%%%~~%%%%%%%
1t was only a little spray of holly
iii a show window of one of the large
stores that opened on main thor
oughfare in the big city, but its
bright green leaves and scarlet ber-
ries attracted the notice of the child
in the arms of the scantily clad wo-
man who had paused in her wander
ings for moments rest. A small wan
hand was put out and weak voice
murmured, II want it, muvver," but
the woman shook her head, and, push
ing the little hand back under the
protection of the warm shawl, went
on-whither she knew not.
It was Christmas eve in home of
wealth where beauty and splendor
reigned. Preparations were being
made to celebrate the joyous season
with festivity and mirth. The spaci-
Gus drawing-room presented scene
Of brilliancy in its Yuletide decora-
tions, holly and mistletoe predominant
ing.
Little Marian, the four-year-old
wide-eyed baby of the house, stopped
on the threshold and peeped in. Spy
ing her mother at the other end of
the room, she ventured to enter. Ma
rian knew she was trespassing, for
ever since she had attained the age of
reason she had been taught that the
nursery was the only place for little
girls when their mothers were oc-
cupied with social affairs. The patter
Of her little feet was not heard until
she had almost reached her mothers
side. Mamma" she asked, "was
holly among the gifts the wise men
brought Jesus?" Her mother, annoy
ed at the interruption, greeted the
child with an impatient answer, and
sent her away with the nurse to bed.
But Marian was not to be so easily
conforted. A tear rolled down her
chubby cheek as she lay snugly tuck
ed in her crib where her nurse had
left her.
On the mantel her stocking hung,
but her mind was not filled with
visions of the good things the NOR
row would bring. She was thinking
Of the story nurse had been telling her
about a country far away where
angels visit the homes on Christmas
eve and sing carols. What if one of
these white-robed visitors should
chance at the door of her home on
this night of all nights? Was the
sudden sound she heard from the
sorch outside a voice calling, or was
it only the wind blowing the shutters?
ImpelIed by childish curiosity she
scrambled over the side of the crib
and tipped to the door leading out
into the hall. The other members OF
the household were gathered in the
dining-room at the rear of the house,
so Marian knew the way was clear.
Soon she had reached the front door,
and holding the knob tightly in one
little hand she opened the door Just
wide enough to see outside. Yes,
someone was there, but it was not an
angel, for angels have wings.
It was the figure of woman that
little Marian saw kneeling on the
steps of the porch. The dark shawl
wrapped around her head brought out
the whiteness of her features and IN
her arms she held child. Marian
had been greatly impressed with
picture of the Madonna and child IN
one of the big churches she had at
tended sometimes, and to her chllds
mind this living picture out there IN
the cold bore resemblance to the
painting she had seen. She pushed
the door open a little more and the
reflection from the light within fell
over the child's face. eyes," thought
Marian. at must be the Madonna"
In the meantime, Marian's mother,
remorseful because she had been
harsher than usual to her little girl
that night, stole off to the nursery in
tending to leave a good night KISS
upon the sleeping face of her baby,
and grew almost frantic on finding
the crib empty. Rushing into the hall,
she experienced feeling of relief
when she caught sight of the tiny
form at the front door.
On seeing her mother approach
Marian pointed toward the steps, say
ing, ''Look, mamma, it's the little
Christchild and His mother; may we
ask them in?' The young mother first
caught her own darling to her, then
beckoned to the wanderer to enter.
And the woman of culture and fash
ion led the woman Of the streets into
the shelter and warmth of Marian's
nursery, where the weary one found
rest in the chair beside the cozy
hearth. The thin child stretched its
arms out to the cheerful blaze and
Marian pressed to the Hungry little
heart her doll with a sprig of holly
pinned on its dress, while merrily the
Christmas chimes rang out on the chill
night air.
Stomach Troubles and Constipation.
Those who are afflicted with