Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1921-12-23

N'N NaS ho' ioi tIlCbiillNS III
mediateiy after breakfast she mad
gone TO her room and She and Mani
my were evidently very busy with
some Of their own operations.
- length the two grew tired of
waiting and sought her in her room.
II WAS Il Strange sight which met
hclr curious eyes. Mmnmv WAS
seated III 4 wide low rocking chai.,
buSliy darling Il pair of wooden
stockings and Anvilla with the old
book which her father had in,rusl.
Ell to her care upon her knees WAS
sitting on IN ottoman at her feet. her
childish treble read from the word
OF God. the story OF the Babe OF
Bethlehem:
And the Angel said unto them.
Fear not. for behold bring YOU
glad tidings Of great JOY. which
snail be to all people. For unto
YOU is born this day in the city of
David Il Saviour. who is Christ the
Lord. And this shall be IL sign unto
YOU. We shall find the babe wrapped
in Swaddlirs clothes. and living in a
manger."
Madeleine and Kathleen had heard
The story before they had been told
OF the plan of salvation but they had
never taken any personal interest
It. 1t must be. they thought. for old
persons and sick people or for
preachers, OF whom they knew a
little for once i'll Il great while one
came into the coal fields and held
services. but they really had not felt
that they were to be greatly con-
ccrncd over something which hap
pened many, many hundred years
ago. And so the picture of their
companion reading from the old
book to the negrcsS and seemingly
as interested as if it were Hans An
dcrson's Fairy Tales was inexDlaln-
able.
Come i'll Honey" the old woman
invited hospitality. Come right on
in an lisscn while Meh baby chile
reads good news toh huh NANNY"
The girls came shyly, and soon were
as interested as the other two.
Anvilla read Of the Three Wise
Men, The Shepherds Visit, and The
Star Of Bethlehem. And when Aunt
Evelyn called the three girls to go
on an crrand they were surprised TO
find so much time had lapscd and
how late it was.
= Mother" one of the twins asked
that night as they were preparing
for bed, did YOU know that there
are sweet stories i'll the Bible as the
ones that Anvilla reads to her old
black Mammy|
And in the breast of this mother
to whom the things Of the world
had almost become the cause Of her
putting aside her religion. there
stirred Il more sober impulse. and
she said brokcnly, Eyes dear | did
know. but some way | had allowed
myself to forget. We must have An
villa show us the way back 10 The
good old way"
The preparations for the cOmmu-
nifty tree were going on and the
children Of the miners homes had
all been listed. black and white
alike. and arrangements had been
made for their entertainment. A
small collapSible organ used in the
very occasional religious services
was brought down from hiding
place iii the attic of the SuDerin-
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