Christmas Tales and Christmas Verse | Page 8

he hears a-callin': 'Joel, Joel, Joel!'"
"I know--I see it all," murmured Santa Claus very softly.
"Oh, that was so long ago," sighed Joel; "so very long ago! And I've had no Chris'mas since--only once, when our little one--Marthy's an' mine--you remember him, Santa Claus?"
"Yes," said Santa Claus, "a toddling little boy with blue eyes--"
"Like his mother," interrupted Joel; "an' he was like her, too--so gentle an' lovin', only we called him Joel, for that was my father's name and it kind o' run in the fam'ly. He wa'n't more'n three years old when you came with your Chris'mas presents for him, Santa Claus. We had told him about you, and he used to go to the chimney every night and make a little prayer about what he wanted you to bring him. And you brought 'em, too--a stick-horse, an' a picture-book, an' some blocks, an' a drum--they're on the shelf in the closet there, and his little Chris'mas stockin' with 'em--I've saved 'em all, an' I've taken 'em down an' held 'em in my hands, oh, so many times!"
"But when I came again," said Santa Claus--
"His little bed was empty, an' I was alone. It killed his?mother--Marthy was so tender-hearted; she kind o' drooped an' pined after that. So now they've been asleep side by side in the?buryin'-ground these thirty years.
"That's why I'm so sad-like whenever Chris'mas comes," said Joel, after a pause. "The thinkin' of long ago makes me bitter almost. It's so different now from what it used to be."
"No, Joel, oh, no," said Santa Claus. "'Tis the same world, and human nature is the same and always will be. But Christmas is for the little folks, and you, who are old and grizzled now, must know it and love it only through the gladness it brings the little ones."
"True," groaned Joel; "but how may I know and feel this gladness when I have no little stocking hanging in my chimney corner--no child to please me with his prattle? See, I am alone."
"No, you're not alone, Joel," said Santa Claus. "There are children in this great city who would love and bless you for your goodness if you but touched their hearts. Make them happy, Joel; send by me this night some gift to the little boy in the old house yonder--he is poor and sick; a simple toy will fill his Christmas with gladness."
"His little sister, too--take her some presents," said Joel; "make them happy for me, Santa Claus--you are right--make them happy for me."
How sweetly Joel slept! When he awoke, the sunlight streamed in through the window and seemed to bid him a merry Christmas. How contented and happy Joel felt! It must have been the talk with Santa Claus that did it all; he had never known a sweeter sense of peace. A little girl came out of the house over the way. She had a new doll in her arms, and she sang a merry little song and she laughed with joy as she skipped along the street. Ay, and at the window sat the little sick boy, and the toy Santa Claus left him seemed to have brought him strength and health, for his eyes sparkled and his cheeks glowed, and it was plain to see his heart was full of happiness.
And, oh! how the chimes did ring out, and how joyfully they sang their Christmas carol that morning! They sang of Bethlehem and the manger and the Babe; they sang of love and charity, till all the Christmas air seemed full of angel voices.
Carol of the Christmas morn--?Carol of the Christ-child born--?Carol to the list'ning sky?Till it echoes back again?"Glory be to God on high,?Peace on earth, good will tow'rd men!"
So all this music--the carol of the chimes, the sound of children's voices, the smile of the poor little boy over the way--all this sweet music crept into Joel's heart that Christmas morning; yes, and with these sweet, holy influences came others so subtile and divine that in its silent communion with them, Joel's heart cried out amen and amen to the glory of the Christmas time.
THE THREE KINGS OF COLOGNE
From out Cologne there came three kings?To worship Jesus Christ, their King.?To Him they sought fine herbs they brought,?And many a beauteous golden thing;?They brought their gifts to Bethlehem town,?And in that manger set them down.
Then spake the first king, and he said:?"O Child, most heavenly, bright, and fair!?I bring this crown to Bethlehem town?For Thee, and only Thee, to wear;?So give a heavenly crown to me?When I shall come at last to Thee!"
The second, then. "I bring Thee here?This royal robe, O Child!" he cried;?"Of silk 'tis spun, and such an one?There is not in the world beside;?So in the day of doom requite?Me with a heavenly robe of white!"
The third king