Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-01-01
, CHRISTMAS IN DIME LAND.

white BLANKET OF snow, upon which
numerous snowbirds flew to get
crumbs OF bread; the sky was filed
with Heccy clouds which would prob
ably bring more SHOW floating about
IN the ether; each and every branch
of the sombrc trees was arrayed in
garments OF Elistcning icicles. The
tinkling of the merry slcigh-beils as
they echoed again and again in the
crystal air and the jolly voices Of
the children indicated that the
young NirGinians were ut thei1
height OF JOY ut the mcrricst time OF
the year-Christmas.
The war between the states which.
was now in progress, though the bat.
ties wcrc decidedly favorable for tho
South. had wrought Il great change
IN the homes of the Virginians
patriotic AS they were. many bade
their loved ones farewell with tear
stained faces and bleeding hearts
Inc majority OF those heroes in gray
hau not seen their families since they
mad entered the army in Gl, when
they had looked in the face of death
and poverty for the protection Of
their own firesides, the glorious
stars and Rars," ana the country for
which IL stood. Many of the hearts
were now aching for the sight of that
southern patriot; some OF them were
oeatihS hopefully, but ever dreaming
OF mat loved one. However, the lii
Tie children forgot the sorrow or tint
absent parent to be absorbed in the
joys of Christmas.
TWO hEures. both Of whom wcro
poys-Stunrt and Wilbur Stevens
Meie puii!hS sled on which were
an axe, an evergreen tree ana n fow
raj l.It
~, "oous where the glistening
with the white carpc, OF snow ~, ~
ground o' inc
suddenly breaking tho silence
stuart said sadly, Just think it,s
necH so Tong since I've seen mana,
.Npected MIN to come Christmas far
!. uaS' at least: but since recoivin,,
nis last letter scarcely see bow =,
Is possible for him to do so Cr,,,,
ma ana Aunt Flora are hcre. ,.;,,,
papa our family reunion will hc CON,
pie'". And he sighed as hc ,bour,,,
VI spending Christmas witbon, 49,.
".ner' How could he bear itp
ts' twas that way with me-
""' eNpectihs him. too" Wilbur mut
Sond words '"' ne
"SH continued walking. 90.
NJ mn,,., piuckinE n few branches
talIi,r beautiful holly. and ever
liking or their absent fnthcr
nttten minutes they came IN ,.;o, ~.
,ne,r handsome Colonial mon.,,',
ouil' OF large red bricks. Tbn ,.,,
was Dordered by bcautifuI tron.
WIN iciclcs that glisteneJ ana
.i,', N'cu IKE diamonds I'm the am
..,,, Inc grounds were coyorn,
WI WI snow tracked with the nrint. =.
n'eus' ana near the left side nc ~,
mousse was snow man 'i'e
mo h.s lheir sled and the tree MOO,
imr, naek door they went into tho ,iHl
wa. n. where the whole fa,nilv,
tho go , nied. Just rs they cntcrc,,
cd. "para. nest and Marjorie shout
grand" Amt that
seemed as all was n dream Wos
real !ty?--was Mr.. Stevens roint,
W HPeha christmas with his rnmiI,.3
inc same dream they walked RI
me IabIe. whore Mrs Stvens ,r,yn
mem telegram. Wilbur openeJ !,
Mrs. w. a. Stevens.
aEe Just gotten n furlongb tn
r,nn ''o''e Tor Il few days Christ
M NJ, w. y. STEVENS
men they crossed the room. whore
'heir grandma thc elder Mrs Si,,.-
chS' sat with tears in her eyes she
'hch murmurcd to them. ..I kn.w,
mat ne was coming, for that h,s
oeen my praycr--that we could nrnin
snect TINS year. and have n regular
southern Christmas"
Every one was now b,sv ga. Ar
stevens was coming tbot ni,.h
'Christmas Eve) and the tree 10 thc
SURPRISE OF the children) had To hr
decorated. They felt that II would
DC sin not to stay up with him
their hero. their ideal husband. fam.
cr ana son-that first night after bis
long absence
Mrs. stevens motioncd with her
nhnu 10 Wilbur and stuart. who in
sthhtiy Withdrew from the room
went out OF doors returning in n fc,v
moments with the tree which they
carried $50 that the children co,il
not see IT. TO the drawinr-roon,
After the boys Withdrew. The lorr,
loluing doors were ciosc,. during The
rest or the evening and only a few
persons were admitted
me smaller children wondered VIII,
'hey could not he admitted. and thcy
could not imagine what ,mysterious
work was being performed, in which
ihey could not engage. But Wilmur
ana stuart mot to mention Alice. The
oldest of the chiidrcn) knew Yer,
well what was being Accomplished
Had they not gotten the tree for ,ha,
very purpose that afternoon? Had
not the elders excr;ed ali OF their
mental powers to entertain IN.
smaller children SO that they would
not see the tree when the boys
brought il?
That night after tea the family was
gathered in the drawing room ten.
ing Christmas stories in times pnst
Large flames Of fire it, the graf.
leaped up the chimney before Them
outside the pale moon shone fa!ntlv
down from the cloudy sky on the
fast falling snow.
The listeners were SO absorbed in
the story that they did not hear the
door softly open ana familiar foot
steps slowly advancing down thy
nall Pausine in The doorway n.
Looked a. his kindred any man
would be proud 10 claim them as his
own. Suddenly the cldcs; lady turn.
cd involuntar!ly' toward the door. and
bchcld her son in Confederate gray.
lntcrruptins the storytelling. she
SOFTLY murmured. My hero, my SON.
|, Then he walked gracefully and
erect into the room. while they gazch
admirinGly upon him Immediately