Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 309, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 December 1920 — THE CHRISTMAS CAROL. [ARTICLE]

THE CHRISTMAS CAROL.

It was in the poor district of a little New England village, but the ! stars were just as bright, and the night was just as beautiful as among the mansions. ' It was in one of these small tumbled down houses that Jack, Jane, Mary and Buddy, the smallest, who was about two years old, sat thinking of Santa Claus, and the wonders of Christmas. For it was Christmas eve. Mary wished for a big loaf Of bread, Jane wished for a new dress, Jack wished for a toy gun, and Buddy wished for a drum. Not a one of them had any hope of Santa Claus coming to their house. They were also thinking of what they nad learned at Sunday School about God, and the birth of the Christ Child. Mary had just started to put Buddy to bed, when she heard three sweet voices singing the (Christmas carol she had learned at Sunday School. “Silent night, Holy night, All is calm, All is bright, Round yon virgin mother and child, Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in Heavenly peace, Sleep in Heavenly peace.” • They rushed to the window with eyes of wonder. Standing there in' the snow, they saifr three children from the large city near by. The oldest was Jean, the youngest Carol, and the middle one Reggie. They listened with startled ears. After the children had left, Jack, Jane, Mary and Buddy, went to bed, now sure that Santa Claus would bring them something. Jolly round red Mr. Sun was just creeping u# over the purple hills when Mary, climbed out of bed and went to look in her shoe. In or near every shoe was what each child had wished for. After the other children were up, they ate their breakfast and did their work gladly, while Jolly Round Red Mr. Sun, looked down on the happiest children in the world, Jack Jane, Mary and Buddy. * —Margaretta Tilton, ~ Grade 6, agfc 11. i ________________________