Plymouth Weekly Democrat, Volume 14, Number 16, Plymouth, Marshall County, 24 December 1868 — Page 1

PLYMOUTH WEEKLY DEMOCRAT.

VOLUME XIV. PLYMOUTH, INDIANA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1868. NUMBER l.

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

BT C. C. MOORS "Twa8 the nteht before Chrhtmas, when 11 through the houpe. Not a creatore was stirring, not ven a mouse : The stockings were hang by e chimney with care. In Hope that St. Nicholas soon wculd be there : The children were nestled all d ag in their bed?. While vision? of sagar-plam danod in their beads; And mamma in her kerchi j ana I in my cap. Had just settled oar baiu9 for a long winter's napWhen ont on the lawn 'riere aroe such a clatter, I vptsaff from my bed tn what was the matter ; Away to th- wicdow flew ijte a flVh, Tore open the shnf . :ind thrcw up the -ash. The moon on the nre:.t of the now-fallen snow. Gave the lustre jf mid-day to objects below. hen what to j,v wondering eye? shonld appear, Bnt a mia ati re "uleitrh and eight tinv reindeer, i w a I1 old dri'er BO HwQ nd quick, 1 knew in A moment it mnt be" St. Nick. iev,r3 'd than eH-'' !' hiscoarsers they came. And he whistled and shouted and called them by name; m Dasher: now Dancer ! now Prancer and Vixen. 1 iComet : on Cnpid ! on Dander and Blitzen ! To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall 1 Now dash away, dash away, dash away all P1 X dry leaves that before the wild hnrrican fly. When they meet with an obstacle monnt to he sky So an to the honsetop the coarser they flew ; With a sleigh full of toys and St Nicholas too. And then in twinkling I heard on the roof. The ptwine and prancing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head and wa turning arennd, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bonnd. He was dresjed all in far from his head tohifoo. And his clothes rere all farnt-hed with ashts and soot ; A hnndle of U ,t he had flnng on his back. And he looke a like a peddler jut opening hi pack, h eyes h ,w thev twinkled! his dimples how me rry ! H;- chec'. were like rose? his nose like a cherry; His dro ,i Httlc month w is drawn up like a bow. And ' ' beard on his chin was as white as the snow; The 'jtnmp of a pipe he held tight in his teeth. Ar d the smoke it encircled his head like a 9 reath. f.e baa a broad face and a little ronnd belly That shook when he laughed like a howl fall of jelly. He waschnbby and plump a rieht jolly old elf. And I lanehed when I -iw him spite of myself. wink of his eye and a twist of his head Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. He spoke not i word, bnt went straight to hi work And filled all the stock ng-, then tnrr.e l v! t h a jerk. And laying his finger ..idc of his nose, id giving a nod. np the chimney he ro-e Then sprang to his sleigh to his team gave a whistle. And away they all flew like the down ol a thist : Rn heird him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, " Mebrt Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night." JPtftttaf SHiscrllami. THE UOLÖEX CIIRIrSTJLYS-TREE. BY MRS. A. M. DIAZ. From Oar Young Folks for January. "Now," rn Katie 4 now that the grown-up people are away, we cDiioren may hope for a little quiet. All sit ang in a row, and I will tell vou the Story of he Golden Christmas-Tree, that happened long time ago. It begins with two old folks, and they were poor, and lived in a house that had but one door. Now don't matce faces. I mean one outside door. If any of you talk or giggle, or snap knuckles, or roll np your eyes, or pull hair, or pinch, or tickle, I shall stop telling. But chewing gum is no matter. "And they had a daughter who was a beauty. Just as white as wax work, and had golden hair, and was quite tall, but not very tall. Her eyes were as blue as a wax doll's, and her lips as red, and she was slim and slender, with a sweet little foo. that stepped light as a feather. " And they had one more child, but he was a boy, and his name was ,'alentine ; but not a pretty boy a homely boy, and his place was always in the hi :k corner. For they loved their daughter best, and sold all their eggs and gee3e feathers to buy ear-rings for her ears, and necklaces tor her neck, and silver rings for her fingers, apd ribbons to tie in her golden hair. But the boy had to wear very old things. 4 And for the girl it was 4 O sweet angel !' 'O my lovely one!' 4 pretty darling!' with kisses for her cheeks and for her lilywhite hands. But for him it was 4 O you tupidf 4 You naughty one!' 4 You never do right!' And while she leaned against the wall, like a picture, with her pretty hands folded, and a fine dress, he scrubbed the floor, and washed the platters, with his old clothes, and the tears in his eyes. " For he very often wept because nobody cared for him, and longed for some me to come and take him by the hand, and say soro thing kind. And one evening, when he was lying all alone there, he dreamed that the hut was suddenly filled with a bright light, and that a beautiful lady, all in white, bent over him and sr.id very kind words. But the dream pa&f ed away, an l wnen lie awoke the nut was dark, and he all tdone in the cold all but his dog, his stood old shatrtrv doe, Fi lo. Valentine loved Fido, and U3ed to lay nis head on the dog's neck and tell him all his troubles : and Fido would look up so sor ryfaLand lick his master's face, iust as if he knew. 44 There was nobody else for the boy to tell his troubles to, unless it was the one that gave him the dog, Jollv Tom ; and he was no relation, not the least, but only skipper of a little sloop. And Valentii e used to watch for his white RÜi, coming over the sea. For Jolly Tom a! ways went whittling along, and often would call out, 4 Ha, Valentine !' 4 How are you, Valentine'' in a merry way, and once brought him home quite a large jewa-harp, and taught him to play a tune. And the name of the tune was 4 Whistling Winds.' And when Valentine felt very sad, he wculdgo to his back corner, or away under a tree, and play up a ttino, while Fido would sit by aud wag his tail to the music. "But one night a wicked peddler stole the dog away, which made Valentine feel so badly that it seemed as if he could not work at all, but only thick of Fido and mourn for Fido all day loig. 4 This made the two old folks angry, and more cross to him than ever before. Aud one night they scolded him, and said, 4 O, If you would but keep out of our sight! Away with you f 44 Then the boy walked a long way off to the sea shor, wnere the sea was moaning ; and there he lav down on the sands, and listened to the uoan of the sea. Darknr ss WMcomingon, and it was a very gloomy night. Cloads covered up the st-" and there was quite a chilly blast t. fcing. Off the shore, near ov. were vessels at anchor. He could henr the flaroinz of the sails and the shouts of the men. M Pret'y soon some sailors, hurrying aiong, atumbled over him, and one said, rray, what's this thiDg?' U.some landlubber!' cried another. "Then he spoke out and said. 'I am Valentine. Do you belong to one of the ships:' Shall you joon set sail? Is the Captain among you - 4 Then a tall man sf.i-ppr-d forward and said, 4 1 am the Captain, what do you wish f 44 Valentine aked him if he would like

to hire a boy, for he wished to go to aeek his fortune in a strange land. M Yes,' said the Captain 4 1 want a good, stout boy. Come with us to ths boat.' 44 And when it was seen that he could handle an oar, they allowed him to be one of the rowers to row to the ship. 44 And the ship sailed and sailed more than a thousand miles, and anchored at last before a great city. M Now as Valentine did not wish to be a sailor boy any more, he said good by to the crew and the captain, and then betran

walking up and down the streets to find work. It wasa erand city. The build ings were so tail and stately, with many columns and towers and porticos. There were narble statues standing about in very good places, and fountains sparkling, and palm-trees waving, and flower9 blooming everywhere. And the people were dressed in very bright-colored clothes. "Now as Valentine walked up and down, he came to the Palace. And said he, 4 Since all is fine in this grand city, I may as well try my luck here as at any other place. 44 So he went through the back gate, and -t put his head in at the kitchen door. And as the cooks were far too busy to mind him, for it was a feast day, and there were over forty lambs to be roast 3d he went through a back passage, anc from room to room very softly, softly because he was afraid, ev. was so wonderful, and so bright. coed sJked grand ! "At last he stubbed his te ai.q.st a gold nail which stuck up in the firor, and out jumped a man from behind a velvet curtain, twentv feet long !" 44 The man, Katie ?" 44 How silly ! Do you want I should stop telling rM 44 O no." 44 0 no !" 44 No, no, no, no, no!" 44 Keep quiet, then, and don't interrupt. This man that jumped out had three feathers in his cap, and, as Valentiuc didn't know his real name, he called him, 4 Mr. Three Feathers.' lie said, 4 Mr. Three Feathers, will you please give me some work to do ?' 44 Now the man was so angry at being called 4 Mr. Three Feathers,' that he took Valentine by the collar and began runniug him out of the Palace. " But a man that had four feathers called out, 4 What are you doing with that boy J What does he want f 44 4 Wants work to do,' said Mr. Thrce Feathers. ,4 4 Well,' s-iid Mr. Four Feathers, 4 why turn him away ! Don't you know that we are wanting a throne boy V' 44 So Valentine was hired to be the throne boy, and was arrayed in fine array, as was quite proper lor one who dwelt in a palace. It was his business to take care of the ornaments which adorned the throne, and to rub the golden candlesticks, and dust the ivory steps, and beat up the purple cushions, hvery morning his hands had to be dipped in perfumed water. 44 He did everything as well as he could, and the Kinjr was so pleased that he patted his head very often. Every month he eot a large gold piece and a new pair of shoes. And he said to the King one day, 4 The shoes I put under my bed, but where shall I put my gold pieces f 44 Then the King gave him an ivoryhandled spade, and an apple-tree, in his own private garden, where he might dig a hole underneath to bury his gold pieces. And here he would sit, when work was done, and play on his jews-harp, the tunc of 4 Whistling Winds,' and think of Jolly Tom, and of the dog that was stolen away. And he said to himself, that some day he would take all his money home, and build the two old tolks a new house. 4 For I am still their son,' hsaid, 4 and must take care of them when they are past work.' 44 And when Valentine had lived in the Palace a very long time, the King said to him one day, 4 A.s I tind that you are one to be trusted, I shall employ you to go on a long journey. You see this letter. It must be taken to the Great Governor Joriando. He is But that you will find out for yourself.' " The letter was very square and large, and sealed together with a great deal of red sealing-wax. 44 4 Put this letter,' said the King, 4 inside your inner vest, and button it tight ; you see it is marked 4i Private." Do you know the way!' 44 1 1 can ask,' said Valentine. 14 But after traveling a long time he came to a sandy desert, where there wjre no paths, and no one to point out the way. And it happened that he came out on the wrong side ot the desert. There he met a soldier clad in armor, with tall, waving plumes ; and he asked this soldier, 4 Can you tell me where lives, the Great Governor Joriando ?' No, I can t tell you,' sa5d the sol dier; 4 but I have heard of him. He is 4' Just then a trumpet sounded, and the soldier hurried away. Then Valentine walked the cm n try up and down, asking of all people, 4 Can you tell me where lives the Great Governor Joriando' Some turned away, some stroked their faces and smiled, but none could tell. 44 As last he grew very weary of wan dering about, and one day, as he was pass ing through a hay-field, he threw himself down to rest against a hay -cock, but was no sooner down than up jumped a man from the other side, and came round to see who was there. He was quite a palelooking man. and seemed to be a traveler." 44 Katie, did Valentine leave his gold pieces under the apple-tree ?" 44 No. I forgot to tell about that. He dug them up, and put them in a leather bag, and hung it about his neck. Now, what was I telling when Dickey asked that question ?" 44 About the pale man." 44 O yes. He was a pale, sick looking man, with hollow cheeks and black hair, and carried a basket with the cover tied down. 44 4 Are you very tired ?' he asked. 44 4 Yes, very,' said Valentine. 4 Can you tell me where lives the Great Governor Joriando ?' 14 No. The traveler had never heard of , such a governor. But he sat down by the side of Valentine, and there they talked together in a very friendly way. He was quite a sad man, with a low and sorrowful voice. Valentine took out his jews-harp and played up a tune, but the stranger did not seem pleased at all, but only turned his head away. 44 And when they had taken quite a long rest, the traveler said, 'What do you think? Since you know not where to go, will you go with me?' 41 4 With all my heart,' said Valentine. " And the two traveled together for -a - xa a many days, aiong nignways ana oyways, . . i i i i ; . , i . . i . . . . i. . .. l i v oy tue nanus m iituc hwh jtim uimiiu I pleasant Woods, where birds sang and the leaves rustled in the brent

14 And one evening they seated them selves, just as the moon was rising, on the top of a steep hill. There was a very large, high, smooth rock there a white rock that they leaned against. This rock was called the 4 White Horse.'

44 They stood by this rock and looked down. Below them there lay a large city, wuicu luuatm ueauuiui in nwuiinu, It was a very calm, still nigbt. On their right hand were piled up the dark mountain9, and on their left hand the wide sea was spread out, ana many snips were sail- ; ing there 44 The traveler stood quiet, with his arms folded, a long time, saying not a word. " But at last he turned to Valentine, and said, 4 What do you think ? I have something to tell. Will you hear it?' " Very gladly,' said Valentine. 44 Then the traveler pointed to a spot outside the city, and asked, 4 Do you see those turrets which point up so high among the green trees? 44 4 Yes,' said Valentine, 4 1 see the turrets.' 4,4 They belong to a erand old castle,' said the traveler. 'And in that castle dwell a noble old couple, who have lived their lives very happily there tor more than fifty years. 44 4 And when the fiftieth year came round, they said, 44 Let us celebrate our Golden Wedding. And, since it falls on Christmas, we will have for our grandchildren a Golden Christmas-Tree, whereon the presents shall be of pure gold." 44 4 And they bought of a countryman a fine green fir-tree, of a lovely shape, end quite tall, because the walls were so high. 44 4 Very soon came the Joyful Christmas Eve, and not an old couple in the kingdom were so happy as they ! For all had come to the Golden Wedding. Not even one little grandchild was missing. 41 4 Ah, but that was a happy sight ! The grandmother was dressed in a velvet gown and a feather in her turban, and her fat face was smiling all over ! The grandfather had his arms full of little children, and sang, and laughed, and wiped the ioar3 from his eyes happy tears. Prttty, fair girls, dressed all in white, danced from room to room, and the gallant youths and the lovely maidens kissed one another under the mistletoe-bough ! 44 4 Are v ou listening, Valentine ?' the traveler asxed. 44 4 Yes,' said Valentine, 4 1 am listening. Please tell the rest.' 44 4 1 will,' said the traveler. 4 1 have resolved to tell the rest, and I shall tell it. 4 4 4 You must know that, in the midst of all the gay time, two of the mothers went away to a distant room, where the Tree had been placed, to light it up and arrange the presents. And 0, these were a dazzling sight to behold; there were bracelets, coronets, charms, watches, lockets, clasps, rings, vases, buckles, all made of gold, and long golden chains ! 44 4 And after everything was ready, the two mothers went up to the Grand Banquet Hall, to see that for the Golden Wedding Feast nothing was lacking; and left the Tree, with all its golden fruit, in care ( a servant whom they fully trusted. Foi he had been a long time their servant, and they had been very kind to him, and to his little girl that died.' 44 The traveler stopped in this part of his stry, and bowed down his head, and did not say more for quite a long while. And when he began again his voice sounded lower and sadder than before. 44 4 That servant,' said he 4 that servant whom they trusted, when he was left alone there, thought to himself, 44 How many fine clothes all these would buy ! How many bottles of wine ! How many good things to eat and coach and horses besides ! If I only had them for my own, and was far away from here, then I should be happy 44 4 And now, what do you think? He took all those golden things ! 44 4 And when the doors were thrown open, and the people came in baste to see the Golden Christmas Tree in all its glory, why, th$se presents were miles away among yonder mountains, and the base robber was seeking some place to bury them in ! 44 4 The wretch The mean villain !' Val entine cried out. 4 If I could but get hold ot him! 44 4 And if you could,' then the traveler asked, 4 what would you do with him? 44 4 Throttle him!' cried Valentine 4 Bind him hand and foot! Tear him limb from limb Hand him over to the officers! For he was trusted, and he deceived them ! ' 44 4 It is a pity,' said the traveler, 4 that you could not get hold of him!'" 44 But Katie, said little Dick, 44 we don't get any Golden Christmas-Tree in our st'-ry, after all. For the presents were stolen away ! " 44 Now, Dick," said Katie, 44 please be quiet. 4 Af 'er all ' has n't come yet. Wait till my story 's done, sir. I was going to tell that in this part of his story the traveler folded his arras, and began walking oacKwaras ana lorwaras, ana at every turn he came a little nearer Valentine. 44 At last he came close up, and stooped over, and whispered, 4 1 myself am that wretch, that mean villain !' 44 Then he stepped back, and said, 4 Now do as you promised. Throttle me. Bind me hand and foot. Tear me limb from limb. Hand me over to the officers. For they trusted me, and I deceived them ! 1 44 But Valentine started back, thinking about his gold pieces, and put his hand up to where they hung. This made the traveler smile. 44 4 Don't be afraid,' said he. 4 1 know you have something of value there, be cause you raise your hand to it so often. Don't you know that is the very way to let your secret be known ? But I don't want your gold. I'm sick of gold. I want you to hear the rest of my story, and then do me a favor.' 44 He then told Valentine how he buried the golden presents in a low, secret valley, and then wandered about among the mountains, and never dared to show his face. At last came a furious snow-storm, and in that he almost died. But a good shepherd carried him to his hut. "'And when next I could walk about,' said the traveler, 4 the flowers of spring were blooming. For I was sick a very long time too sick to notice anything at all. Yet I did see something, or seemed to see it something very strange. Now what do you think ? All through that long sickness I saw, or seemed to see a Hand ! A busy, never-weary Hand, which wrote, wrote, wrote everywhere ! The letters it made were the color of bright red coals, and when put together thty made the word 44 Thief!" Wherever I looked, on the furniture, on the walls, on the ceiling, on the floor, on the bedclothes, there was the Hand, steadily at work. - .....,'.. . .....;,. .... l .. t r . ; n i niuj;, wi iumu, wi ni"K auu always iasi, as if not one moment could be lost. It wrote on my flesh, And then the letters

burned ! fered !

O, you may bei eve that I suf44 1 Now when I got well, do you suppose I went to that low, secret valley, and dug up these golden things, and sold them ? 0 no, I could not bear to see them. And I stayed there with the shepherd, and helped him watch his flocks by night. auu it nappenea mat one day me Queen passed over the mountains with all her train. And she wanted to find a little blue flower, but none of them knew where it grew, ixow l nad seen some growmg tar beJow, on the lace of a far be.'ow, on the steep rock, and I let myself down there, and picked a good handful. She liked me very much for doing this, and took me to her own city ; and as I pleased her well she gave me first money, next rich presents, and next a fine house, where I made grand parties, and we had music and dancing, and very gay times. 44 4 But what do you think? The Hand came back! Or seemed to come back. And wrote that same word ! Wrote it on the greeu of the grass, wrote it on the ! blue of the sky and on the darkness of i the night, wrote it on my forehead, and I looked in the looking-glass very often to 1 see if the word showed there. For I ', thought people could read it. Even in my dreams it was just the same. For then the good Beron himself would seem to stand before me, and hold out a paper, with that word written on it ; or else my little girl that died would seem to hold it out to me, and look so mournful ! 44 4 And something else came. A whispering. A low, whispering voice at my ear. Only one word, but it was that same word. I seemed to hear it everywhere, la the streets I heard it, and turned quick 10 see who was whispering. But no one was there. In the midst of the music and ' dancing, and in the still hours of the night, I heard it too, and could not sleep. Bllt still I would not take the things and ; carry them back to the Baron. I shall feel better soon, I said. But I did not feel better. 44 4 And now what do you thiuk ? Shall I tell you what is in this basket ? All those golden things are here. One night when I could not sleep I saul to myself, I will set oft by the early morning light, and I will go to that low, secret valley, and I will dig up those golden presents, and return them to their owner. And from the very moment ! that I said this to myself I never saw the hand nor heard the whispering ! 44 4And now the castle stands before me. But I cannot, O, I cannot meet the eye of that old man. Do you knew why I have ; brought you here, and told you this story? To ask you to give these into the Baron's own hands, and say to him that I will remain until to morrow night at the 44 White Horse, where the officers may hnd me. 44 Early in the next morning Valentine arrived at the castle, and began walking about the grounds to see what he could fee. 41 And the first thing he saw was a little spring of water bubbling up, and he drop ped his basket, and stepped down to take a drink. 44 And while he lay there fl it on the grass, sucking in ihe clear cold water, there came along the stiff looking steward of the c tie, all dressed out in gold lace and ruffles. He touched the basket with his silver-pointed cane, and, when he found it was very heavy, thought he would just peep to se what there was inside. 44 Just as h: was doing this, Valentine lifted up his head to catch a long breath, and saw somebody meddling with his basket. 44 4 Don't meddle with that, sir !' he cried out. 44 Indeed I shall meddle with that, sir ! ' the stiff steward said. For he had found all those golden tilings, marked with the names of the family. And when Valentine began to tell where he got them, and what he was going to do with them, he laughed at him, and said, 4 Hush up with your silly story ! Do yon think anybody will believe that? ' Then he searched him, and took away his bag of gold pieces, and the letter marked 'Private,' and then shut him up in a cell. 44 But when the Baron came home he said, 4 Let me look Lim in the face ! I can tell by his face whether he speaks true or false.' And when he had looked him in the face, and heard his story, he believed every word ot it, and gave back, the gold pieces and the square letter. 44 4 Then send to the 44 White Horse," and catch the thief!' cried the stiff steward. " But the Baron said, 4 No. That man's thoughts are the worst punishment he can have.' - 44 And when he saw that the laT was a smart, likely lad, he offered to employ him ; but Valentine said he must go to find the ' (Jreat Governor Joriando.' 44 Then a merchant stepped forward, who had journeyed from a far country, and said that a long time before he had passed the Great Governor Joriando with a troop of soldiers, and they were march ing In hi ste to the King's Palace. And also that the King and his armies were gone to the wars. 44 4 But keep the letter,' said the Baron. 4 It may be of use to you.' 44 4 Yes, keep the letter to the Great Joriando, by all means!' said the merchant. And he went away. 44 So Valentine remained with the Baron, and served him a very long time, and saved a great deal of money. 44 And one day as he was sitting all alone in a shady lane, playing on his jews-harp, he looked through the trees and saw a cot tage where a lovely girl sat in the doorway, weeping. And he went to find out the reason. The name of this girl was Pauline. She wa9 weeping because the Soats had gone astray. F;r they were cr uncle's goats, and h.; would be t.ngry with her for th ir going astray. 44 Now Valentine was always ready to do favors; so he ran quickly to find the goats, and drove them home. And the lovely young girl smiled very sweetly through her tears. 44 And not long after he walked through the shady lane again, and found the lovely girl sitting in the doorway, weeping for her only brother, who had joined a band of rovers, and pone roving away. 44 4 Do not weep,' said Valentine. 4 He will soon come back, and will have many fine tales to tell.' And then he related to her many things he had seen in his own travels. " A !d it happened that every day after this he walker in the shady lane, and everj day he saw the lovely girl and every day she smiled upon him and they talked pleasantly together. ,4 But one day Valentine stayed away, and sat down by himself to think. And he thought this l 4 What a pity that I am ill looking ! If it were not so I would ask Pauline to be my wife. I am very sorry. Yet it must be so, j.r did not Umj always say that of me at bono? Yet Pauline

smiles on me, and Pauline is very lovely. I WJndtrhow it is! 44 The truth was that Valentine had grown up quite tall and manly. His smile was very sweet ; and he had a pleasant

way wfiich charmed everybody, and charmed Pauline so much, that, when at last Valentine asked, 4 Will vou be mv wife, and go to dwell with me in my own native country ? ' she did not say 4 No,' but said only, 4 Wait till my brother comes home.' And then Valentine knew, that, if the orother said 4 yes,' Pauline would not say 4 no.' And when the brother came home, he not only said 4 yes,' but declared that nothing would suit him better than to go, too ; for that was a part of the world he had never seen. " 0 how happy was Valentine then ! 44 And when Pauline heard about the two old folks, and of the little hut where he was once so sorrowful, she said, 4 Listen, now. I have taken a fancy that our wedding shall be nowhere but in that little hut, where you were once so sad and sorrowful. And after the vedding, we will build a new house for the two old folks and take good care of them ; for are you not still their son ?' 44 4 Just as you please,' said Valentine. And the brother, who was always in haste, began that very hour to buy the wedding clothes. "Now in the mean time, while Valentine was so far away, the beautiful daughter at home had grown up. And the two old "folks said to one another, 4 Now surely some prince will come to marry our beautiful daughter, and will clothe her in royal robes, and place her upon a throne, and we shall sit at her right hand.' 44 But the girl was not kind to the two old folks, and was too idle to learn anything, but thought only of her fine looks ; and, besides, she was not sweet-tempered, but was quick to get angry. And to the poor beggar women, instead of giving them a kind word or a taste of her Dread, she would say, 4 Out of the way with you !' 44 And one day a prince came along, and A 1 A A. . . saw tins preuy maiuen, sitting upon a green bank twining a wreath of flowers. And he said, 4 What a beautiful maiden ! I will make her my Princess.' 44 But first asked of the neighbors, 4 Is she wise? Is she sweet tempered?' 0 no, not at all,' the neighbors said 44 4 Then she 11 not do for me,1 said Prince. 'For if she cannot govern the her temper she cannot govern people ; and to set a dunce upon the throne would be folly. I'll pass on.' 44 The next year a great lord passed by, and saw this pretty maiden, dressed in her finery, all ready for the Ball. And he said, 4 What a beautiful maiden ! I will make her my Lady.' 44 But first asked of her neighbors, 4 Is she good to her mother?' 44 4 O no, not at all,' the neicrhbofB said. 44 4 Then she will not do for me,' said the Lord. 4 A ff'xrl who is not good to her mother will be goot! to nobody. I '11 pass on. 41 The next year there came a baron riding by ; and he saw this pretty maiden sitting under a tree, stringing beads for a necklace. And he said, 4 O, what a beautiful maiden! I will make her my Baron ess. 44 But first asked of the neighbors, 4 Is she kind to the poor ?' 4 4 0 no, not at all,' the neighbors said. 44 4 Then she will not do for me,' said the Baron. 4 On my estates are many poor I 11 pass on. 44 And the next year there came along a merry young farmer, with a round rosy face and wavy locks. And he saw this pretty maiden looking at herself in a clear still fountain, and braiding her golden hair. Then he watched her through the branches of a crreen tree, and he said. O. what a beautiful maid! I will make her my wife.' " But first he asked of the neighbors, Is she industrious?' 44 4 No, not at all,' the neighbors said. 44 4 Then she'll never do for a farmer's wife,' he said ; and laughed his merry laugh, and shook his wavy locks, and passed on. 44 Thus years slipped away, and the beautiful daughter was left to twine her flowers, and dress, and string her beads, and braid her golden hair by herself, since noDe cared to marry her. But the older she trrew the more disagreeable she be came, and caused the two old folks to weep very bitter teftrs. And this made them remember their long-lost son, who was so patient and so kind. And one day Jolly Tom came to see if they had any geese feathers to send away ; for he was going to a distant country with a company of merchants, to sell wool. Jolly Tom was a wool dealer now, aud lived upon the hill near by, in a fine house of his own. 44 And when he came to ask about the geese feathers, there he found the two old folks, sitting in the dim twilight, weeping. "'What is the matter?' asked Jolly Tom. 4 And why do you weep ?' 44 4 It is the conduct of our daughter which makes us weep,' they said ; 4 and we are also mourning for oui son, our long lost son !' 44 4 Whom we drove away,' said the father. 4 4 0, he would not treat us so !' said the mother, 4 If he would only come back again ! Ho was good to us always. Say, father, did he give us ever one unkind word?' " AT"k lu rr a m r nAtmr A nrl ilnn't won remember how ready he was to help !' 4 Ah yes ! and so tender-hearted, and so patient !' said the dame. 44 4 But we were not kind to him,' said the father. 44 4 We broke his heart !' said the mother. 4 Don't you remember how sorrowful he looked at us, with the tears in his eyes? O, if he would only come back, how I would throw my old arms arr und him !' 44 ' I would fall upon Ins neck, and weep tears of joy !' said the father. 4 But O where is he now ? Perhaps not alive.' "'Perhaps drowned in the deep sea,' said the mother, 4 or buried in some distant land, where strangers walk over his grave, but none cast any flowers there. 0 how could we drive our child away?' 44 4 Cheer up, Cheer up!' cried Jolly Tom ; 4 1 will inquire of all I meet at the Groat Fair, where will come merchants from all countries. "Who knows but we may get news of him?' " Now when Jolly Tom returned from the Fair, the two old folks went to ask what news. Alas, there were no tidings ' Valentine ! 41 4 But, my good friends,' said Jolly Tom, ' I '11 tell you what I 'B do. I Ml marry your daughter.' '"What, marry our daughter!' cried the two old folks. 4 Don't; she is vain, and idle, and bud tempered !' 44 'O, I'll manage all that!' cried Jolly Tom.

44 So they were married. For the pretty

daughter wished much to be mistress of a house.

And whenever Mrs. Jolly Tom got angry or cross, Mr. Jolly Tom would set up a hearty laugh, as loud as he could, and double himself up, and caper, and roll upon the floor, laughing so loud that she was obliged to laugh herself. And if Mrs. J oily Tom sat idle, with bided hands, when there was plenty to i do, Mr. Jolly Tom would say, ' O what a I fine wax figure ! Pray cover it lrom the dust! And then he would throw a bit of f gauze over her face, or dust her with a ieatner-au8ter, as tne snowmen do; and hen set up his laugh, till his wife was glad to go to work. 4 And every time that Mrs. JgIIv Tom decked herself out in gay gauds, and stood lone before the lookimr-jrlass. Mr. Jolly Tom presented her with a pea cock, so that in a short time the barns and yards were so filled with them that one could scarcely stir for peacocks. But, every day that she behaved well all day, Mr. Jolly lom allowed one peaock to be killed. And she soon grew so goxi that very few were left. But he saved the feathers, and hung ;em over the lookingglass, to make her beware of vanity. And that was the wTay peacock-leathers began to be hung over looking-glasses. Thus it came to pass that this couple lived quite happily. " And one cold day there came a s r-.n-ger to the door, and said to Jolly Tom, ' bir, I wish to tell you a secret. 44 And Jolly Tom said, 4 Sir, pray be in haste with your secret ; for Christmas is near, and we are busy in preparing a Christmas-Tree for our two little boys.' " Then the stranger took him away into a lonely field, and said, ' Don't you know me ! Jolly Tom, don't you know mer I hen he took out his jews-hnrp, and plaved up the tune of 4 Whistling Winds.' 44 4 Bless me ! bless me !' cried Jolly Tom. 4 You must be our Valentine !' , Then he hugged him, and jumped about, and tumbled down, and picked himeell up, laughing away all the time ; and at last says he, 4 Well, now, tell me your secret.' 44 Then Valentine told him that hewished to do something for the two old folks to surprise them, and beggod Jolly Tom to help, and to keep it private. And very soon you shall know what it was 4 On the twenty-fourth day of, December, Jolly Tom sent a stout man with s sled, and plenty of blankets, to invite tintwo old folks to his house. And the stout man wrapped them up well and Mated them on the sled, and told them to hold fast by the stakes. And for the hand that held the stake was a fur mitten, In this way they were carried to their (laughter's house. She knew all about it.'and the li -tie boys knew, too. 44Just after dark Jolly Tom came in, and ra:sed the window-curtain, and cried : 44 4 Father ! mother ! look ! look out ! There's a bright light in your hut! It lookall ablaze !' Then he stood behind the door to laugh. But he had to stuff his mitten in his mou'h. 44 Then everybody ran, and the stout man bundled up the two old folks in the blankets ; but this lime no one thought ol the fur mittens. 44 And when they came near the hut.'the old man cried out, 4 Do you sec what a blaze! All will be lost!' 44 4 And five silver dollars in the cupboard ! ' cried the old dame. 41 But Jolly Tom, who stood by, nearly swallowed his pocket-handkerchief to keep himself from laughing. "Then the stout man burst open tindoor, and O what a sight! O what a sight! A blaze indeed ! Aud by the liht of it what do you think they saw ? But first 1 must tell you where the lightcame from. In the middle of the room stood a Christmas-tree, of an elegant shape, blazing with cani'hs, brilliant with gold, an i dazzling to behold ! For from cveiy little twig hung a bright gold piece! All Ibl the two old folks. Areal golden Chri r mas-tree ! 44 At one end of the room stood a tall, manly youth, with a smiling f tee, anJ a bran new wedding suit. He heid by Unhand a lovely girl, dressed in pore white, with a long flowing vcl. Near by stood the Priest, who was to marry them, in h;s long black robes. Pauline's brother whs on the other side, dressed in a gay tunic, with buckles on his knees, and a red tM8elled cap. 44 The two old .'oiks stood in the doorway, and could not speak a word. " But the tall youth came foWiml, lea ling the lovely bride. And they both knelt down before these two old tolks, and began kissing their hands. 44 4 Father, mother, give us your blessing!' cried the youth. 'For I am your son, and this dtar girl will be your loving daughter ! 1 "And when they clasped him in their arms, and he felt their warm tears and their kisses, and heard them sob out, 4 Bless you! bless you! our son au.l our daughter!' then Valentine bowed down his head, and wept tears of joy ! 41 And Pauline, when she taw him weeping, bent down, and took his hand, and i-aid loving words to him. 44 Then he remembered how one night. when he was a boy, lying there all alone, he dreamed that a bright light tilled the hut, and that a beautiful lady, all in white, bent over him, and spoke kindly, and then vanished away, and left him cold and 1 alone. "And when he remembered this dream he caught Pauline by the hand, and cried out, 4 O, don't vanish away ! don't vanish away ! "Then Pauline laughed, and said, 4 My dear, 1 wouldn't vanish away for all Uie world. 44 Then Jolly Tom clapped his hands, and laughed, and capered about, and Mrs. Jolly Tom did the same, and the little Jolly Toms, and threw up their cip. And then Paulines brother began, and then the happy couple, and at last the two old folks, and last of all the Priest also ; and such a laughing and a clapping and ;i capering never was known before. 44 But at last Valentine said, 1 Sir Priest, will you please to mrry s' "Then all became quiet, and stood in a circle around the couple; and one little boy peeped out from behind his mother, and the other little boy held his Cither's coatakirts, while the Priest married Pauline and Valentine. And I can tell you that every one kissed the bride! 44 And after the wedding supper was eaten, when Jolly Tom began tolance and caper about because he could not keep still, then Valentine sat down in his ol 1 back corner and played up the tune of 'Whistling Winds,' while Jolly Tom danced a jig with the hrid( 41 And alter that he went um) sat near the two old folks, and told hi:' whole Itory, while all the people HttoiiCld. And to proye it he took out the square letter

marked 4 Private,' upon which was written, ' To the Great Governor Joriando.' 44 And years and years after he used to repeat this story to his children, and at the end they would say. 'Now take out the square letter, father.' 44 Then he would take out the letter, quite soiled and yellow, and turn it over,

and sigh, and say, 4 One thing troubles nie that I never saw the 4 Great Governor Joriando t1 41 But when asked to open the 1 tter, to see what was inside, he would siy. 4 Dn't you see it is marked Privater' ' Jacobin Courtesies. The speedy rcsumptionists and gold redemptinmsts are altogether too insolent and overbearing. They speak of their opponents in such terms of denunciation and invective as should only be employed against criminals of the worst c'ass. The leading Republican newspaper in the country, discussing the plan proposed by President Johnson, in his last annual message, for the payment of the public debt, calls him 44 a vdlain a brazen, reckless, shameless villain " : and savs 44 he has biietpiMi coniei:era;es wno m : , i c i . show his knavery but lack his effrontery." It b a fact, as stated by the President in his message, tht the holders of the livetwenty bonds have already received as much on the bonds as they paid tot them. It is a fact that the Government ha re served to itself the privilege of redeeming the bonos in five years frort the date of their Usue. It is a fact that the terms upon which they'are issued w ill permit, without any breach of honor or trust, the redemption of the bonds in treasurynotes. It is a fact that trciisurj'-notts are some thirty per cent, below par. It is a fact that, under theconditioat above citad, the currency might be fo inflated that the taxpayers could make an easy and speedy extinguishment of the debt they owe the bondholders. Due consideration being paid to those facts, let us see if there is anything essentially villainous in the financial plan of Mr. Johnson, or if it 1? of such character that no ODje but M a brazen, recklcbö, shameless villain could conceive and propose it." Hie proposition is not one to pay the bondholders according to the strict letter of the c ontract, but it oilers them terms even better than the G vcrnmcut can honorably make in panning p !i. y of currency-redemption. The substance of Mr. Johnson's plan is to py bck the bondholder" all the money they loosed, with interest tln reon, at h per ewrf in gold, for tweuty-oix; years. What government Is paying its credHon more than this? It may be said that Ih'n iuquiry hat nothing whatev. r to do with the subject under di-cussion, inasmuch as the Government agreed lo pay interest until prepared to c ancel the debt. This is true, but, as v, e have fhovvn.it can cancel tne debt forthwith by issuing currency, ami th.is save interest. It can do this and keep the letter and spirit of the agreement with it creditors. There would be nolhiin; tearing the resemblance of repudiation about such a policy. The bondholders would much prefer the terms offered by the President, as by then they would make a Jou loan at a hich rate or interest. Hi-; plan waivts the right of the Government to redeem iu live years Crom the date of issue, and compels it to pny in enii annual installments for seventeen years from the present date, ßo it is seen thftt, if his proposition be not to pay ac cording to the exact letter of the contract, it is not one to compel the bondholders to accept harder terms than the Government can tairlv and lawtully offer. Judged by the letter of the contract, his plan is lepu diation. Judged by the spirit oT the contract aud the circumstances attending i! creation and which have grown out of it, the plan of the President is ope which any honest and intelligent man could consistently propose, It is denounced as fiBainoui, and he is denounced as 44 a brazen, reckless, shameless villain," by men whoadv i 1 1 policj which will swindle the taxpayers of the country out of eight hundred millions of dollars f r the benefit of a chtss not large in numbers, but remarkable for its impudence ami Ingenuity in contriving schemes for legislative corruption. i'.'ii-t go lirrur. Elected by Fraud. Grants, majority is .10:1,148 in total poll of 8395,250. In Alabama, Georgia. Louisiana, North and South Carolina, fins vote was 310.: t. Of this letter sum, probably four-tifths were negroes, and not one ot the blacks was a lawful voter. Virginia, lllnriillppi, and Texas were not permitted to vote. Let these fncts be cn sidered, iu conjunction with the -me ihat there was a sweeping disfranchised, i.t ol the whites in the Southern tStates, end there can be a proper estimate made of the impudence of the Jacobin c laim thel the party in power is indorsed bythc rDOPNL Grant was elected by fraud. ITe was elected because of the Operation of the reconstruction infimy; and denial of this fact is a denial of a pluin aud notorious truth. Be is a minority President. He would be, even with the negro vote, had all the Stales voted, and the white men of , the South not have been difranehi- 1. j It is rot proposed to offer any opposition to his inauguration ; aud th's su . tiv. of a submissive spirit among our people, not generally supposed to belong to what ! is called Auglo-S.'xon blood, a id alnml ; which there is much boasting. I limm. IMh Newspaper Directory, G. l Kowki l A Co, the New York Advertising Agents, are about issuing a complete American N-w paper Directory. It is a compilation much needed, since nothing of the kind having any claims to completeness has ever been publish d. Mksshs. Kowki. l. & Co have imrcd no pains or expense to make the forthcoming work complete. We understand the"b ok will be a hamKome octavo volume d about MOO pages, bound in dark etoth, and sold for rive Dollars per copy. As Ihn publishers arc " A-.n H tistng Agents, their issuing a work containing so much information, usually Jealously guarded by those in that buginess, hows that they are confident of their ability to be of et r rice to advertisers, or they would uot so readily place .n their hands the means of enabling ever one to communicate direct with publishers if they socksire. ej The National Cmmerc:l Convention rejected t hi resolution, offered by The i St. Louis Board of Trvle, drolnrine; hn I favor of the government purchasing the teh graph wires in the I'nittd States, and carrying on the telegraphic business in i connection with the Post Oflns,