AND HOW IT CAME TRUE.
"I'm so tired of Christmas I wish there never would be another one!"exclaimed a discontented-looking little girl, as she sat idly watchingher mother arrange a pile of gifts two days before they were to be given.
"Why, Effie, what a dreadful thing to say! You are as bad as old Scrooge;and I'm afraid something will happen to you, as it did to him, if youdon't care for dear Christmas," answered mamma, almost dropping the silverhorn she was filling with delicious candies.
"Who was Scrooge? What happened to him?" asked Effie, with a glimmer ofinterest in her listless face, as she picked out the sourest lemon-dropshe could find; for nothing sweet suited her just then.
"He was one of Dickens's best people, and you can read the charming storysome day. He hated Christmas until a strange dream showed him how dear andbeautiful it was, and made a better man of him."
"I shall read it; for I like dreams, and have a great many curious onesmyself. But they don't keep me from being tired of Christmas," said Effie,poking discontentedly among the sweeties for something worth eating.
"Why are you tired of what should be the happiest time of all the year?"asked mamma, anxiously.
"Perhaps I shouldn't be if I had something new. But it is always the same,and there isn't any more surprise about it. I always find heaps of goodiesin my stocking. Don't like some of them, and soon get tired of those I dolike. We always have a great dinner, and I eat too much, and feel ill nextday. Then there is a Christmas tree somewhere, with a doll on top, or astupid old Santa Claus, and children dancing and screaming over bonbonsand toys that break, and shiny things that are of no use. Really, mamma,I've had so many Christmases all alike that I don't think I canbear another one." And Effie laid herself flat on the sofa, as if the mereidea was too much for her.
Her mother laughed at her despair, but was sorry to see her little girl sodiscontented, when she had everything to make her happy, and had known butten Christmas days.
"Suppose we don't give you any presents at all,--how would thatsuit you?" asked mamma, anxious to please her spoiled child.
"I should like one large and splendid one, and one dear little one, toremember some very nice person by," said Effie, who was a fanciful littlebody, full of odd whims and notions, which her friends loved to gratify,regardless of time, trouble, or money; for she was the last of threelittle girls, and very dear to all the family.
"Well, my darling, I will see what I can do to please you, and not say aword until all is ready. If I could only get a new idea to start with!"And mamma went on tying up her pretty bundles with a thoughtful face,while Effie strolled to the window to watch the rain that kept herin-doors and made her dismal.
"Seems to me poor children have better times than rich ones. I can't goout, and there is a girl about my age splashing along, without any maid tofuss about rubbers and cloaks and umbrellas and colds. I wish I was abeggar-girl."
"Would you like to be hungry, cold, and ragged, to beg all day, and sleepon an ash-heap at night?" asked mamma, wondering what would come next.
"Cinderella did, and had a nice time in the end. This girl out here has abasket of scraps on her arm, and a big old shawl all round her, anddoesn't seem to care a bit, though the water runs out of the toes of herboots. She goes paddling along, laughing at the rain, and eating a coldpotato as if it tasted nicer than the chicken and ice-cream I had fordinner. Yes, I do think poor children are happier than rich ones."
"So do I, sometimes. At the Orphan Asylum today I saw two dozen merrylittle souls who have no parents, no home, and no hope of Christmas beyonda stick of candy or a cake. I wish you had been there to see how happythey were, playing with the old toys some richer children had sent them."
"You may give them all mine; I'm so tired of them I never want to see themagain," said Effie, turning from the window to the pretty baby-house fullof everything a child's heart could desire.
"I will, and let you begin again with something you will not tire of, if Ican only find it." And mamma knit her brows trying to discover some grandsurprise for this child who didn't care for Christmas.
Nothing more was said then; and wandering off to the library, Effie found"A Christmas Carol," and curling herself up in the sofa corner, read itall before tea. Some of it she did not understand; but she laughed andcried over many parts of the charming story, and felt better withoutknowing why.
All the evening she thought of poor Tiny Tim, Mrs. Cratchit with thepudding, and the stout old gentleman who danced so gayly that "his legstwinkled in the air." Presently bedtime arrived.
"Come, now, and toast your feet," said Effie's nurse, "while I do yourpretty hair and tell stories."
"I'll have a fairy tale to-night, a very interesting one," commandedEffie, as she put on her blue silk wrapper and little fur-lined slippersto sit before the fire and have her long curls brushed.
So Nursey told her best tales; and when at last the child lay down underher lace curtains, her head was full of a curious jumble of Christmaselves, poor children, snow-storms, sugarplums, and surprises. So it is nowonder that she dreamed all night; and this was the dream, which she neverquite forgot.
She found herself sitting on a stone, in the middle of a great field, allalone. The snow was falling fast, a bitter wind whistled by, and night wascoming on. She felt hungry, cold, and tired, and did not know where to gonor what to do.
"I wanted to be a beggar-girl, and now I am one; but I don't like it, andwish somebody would come and take care of me. I don't know who I am, and Ithink I must be lost," thought Effie, with the curious interest one takesin one's self in dreams.
But the more she thought about it, the more bewildered she felt. Fasterfell the snow, colder blew the wind, darker grew the night; and poor Effiemade up her mind that she was quite forgotten and left to freeze alone.The tears were chilled on her cheeks, her feet felt like icicles, and herheart died within her, so hungry, frightened, and forlorn was she. Layingher head on her knees, she gave herself up for lost, and sat there withthe great flakes fast turning her to a little white mound, when suddenlythe sound of music reached her, and starting up, she looked and listenedwith all her eyes and ears.
Far away a dim light shone, and a voice was heard singing. She tried torun toward the welcome glimmer, but could not stir, and stood like a smallstatue of expectation while the light drew nearer, and the sweet words ofthe song grew clearer.
From our happy home Through the world we roam One week in all the year, Making winter spring With the joy we bring, For Christmas-tide is here.
Now the eastern star Shines from afar To light the poorest home; Hearts warmer grow, Gifts freely flow, For Christmas-tide has come.
Now gay trees rise Before young eyes, Abloom with tempting cheer; Blithe voices sing, And blithe bells ring, For Christmas-tide is here.
Oh, happy chime, Oh, blessed time, That draws us all so near! "Welcome, dear day," All creatures say, For Christmas-tide is here.
A child's voice sang, a child's hand carried the little candle; and in thecircle of soft light it shed, Effie saw a pretty child coming to herthrough the night and snow. A rosy, smiling creature, wrapped in whitefur, with a wreath of green and scarlet holly on its shining hair, themagic candle in one hand, and the other outstretched as if to shower giftsand warmly press all other hands.
Effie forgot to speak as this bright vision came nearer, leaving no traceof footsteps in the snow, only lighting the way with its little candle,and filling the air with the music of its song.
"Dear child, you are lost, and I have come to find you," said thestranger, taking Effie's cold hands in his, with a smile like sunshine,while every holly berry glowed like a little fire.
"Do you know me?" asked Effie, feeling no fear, but a great gladness, athis coming.
"I know all children, and go to find them; for this is my holiday, and Igather them from all parts of the world to be merry with me once a year."
"Are you an angel?" asked Effie, looking for the wings.
"No; I am a Christmas spirit, and live with my mates in a pleasant place,getting ready for our holiday, when we are let out to roam about theworld, helping make this a happy time for all who will let us in. Will youcome and see how we work?"
"I will go anywhere with you. Don't leave me again," cried Effie, gladly.
"First I will make you comfortable. That is what we love to do. You arecold, and you shall be warm, hungry, and I will feed you; sorrowful, and Iwill make you gay."
With a wave of his candle all three miracles were wrought,--for the snow-flakes turned to a white fur cloak and hood on Effie's head and shoulders,a bowl of hot soup came sailing to her lips, and vanished when she hadeagerly drunk the last drop; and suddenly the dismal field changed to anew world so full of wonders that all her troubles were forgotten in aminute.
Bells were ringing so merrily that it was hard to keep from dancing. Greengarlands hung on the walls, and every tree was a Christmas tree full oftoys, and blazing with candles that never went out.
In one place many little spirits sewed like mad on warm clothes, turningoff work faster than any sewing-machine ever invented, and great pileswere made ready to be sent to poor people. Other busy creatures packedmoney into purses, and wrote checks which they sent flying away on thewind,--a lovely kind of snow-storm to fall into a world below full ofpoverty.
Older and graver spirits were looking over piles of little books, in whichthe records of the past year were kept, telling how different people hadspent it, and what sort of gifts they deserved. Some got peace, somedisappointment, some remorse and sorrow, some great joy and hope. The richhad generous thoughts sent them; the poor, gratitude and contentment.Children had more love and duty to parents; and parents renewed patience,wisdom, and satisfaction for and in their children. No one was forgotten.
"Please tell me what splendid place this is?" asked Effie, as soon as shecould collect her wits after the first look at all these astonishingthings.
"This is the Christmas world; and here we work all the year round, nevertired of getting ready for the happy day. See, these are the saints justsetting off; for some have far to go, and the children must not bedisappointed."
As he spoke the spirit pointed to four gates, out of which four greatsleighs were just driving, laden with toys, while a jolly old Santa Claussat in the middle of each, drawing on his mittens and tucking up his wrapsfor a long cold drive.
"Why, I thought there was only one Santa Claus, and even he was a humbug,"cried Effie, astonished at the sight.
"Never give up your faith in the sweet old stones, even after you come tosee that they are only the pleasant shadow of a lovely truth."
Just then the sleighs went off with a great jingling of bells andpattering of reindeer hoofs, while all the spirits gave a cheer that washeard in the lower world, where people said, "Hear the stars sing."
"I never will say there isn't any Santa Claus again. Now, show me more."
"You will like to see this place, I think, and may learn something hereperhaps"
The spirit smiled as he led the way to a little door, through which Effiepeeped into a world of dolls. Baby-houses were in full blast, with dollsof all sorts going on like live people. Waxen ladies sat in their parlorselegantly dressed; black dolls cooked in the kitchens; nurses walked outwith the bits of dollies; and the streets were full of tin soldiersmarching, wooden horses prancing, express wagons rumbling, and little menhurrying to and fro. Shops were there, and tiny people buying legs ofmutton, pounds of tea, mites of clothes, and everything dolls use or wearor want.
But presently she saw that in some ways the dolls improved upon themanners and customs of human beings, and she watched eagerly to learn whythey did these things. A fine Paris doll driving in her carriage took up ablack worsted Dinah who was hobbling along with a basket of clean clothes,and carried her to her journey's end, as if it were the proper thing todo. Another interesting china lady took off her comfortable red cloak andput it round a poor wooden creature done up in a paper shift, and so badlypainted that its face would have sent some babies into fits.
"Seems to me I once knew a rich girl who didn't give her things to poorgirls. I wish I could remember who she was, and tell her to be as kind asthat china doll," said Effie, much touched at the sweet way the prettycreature wrapped up the poor fright, and then ran off in her little graygown to buy a shiny fowl stuck on a wooden platter for her invalidmother's dinner.
"We recall these things to people's minds by dreams. I think the girl youspeak of won't forget this one." And the spirit smiled, as if he enjoyedsome joke which she did not see.
A little bell rang as she looked, and away scampered the children into thered-and-green school-house with the roof that lifted up, so one could seehow nicely they sat at their desks with mites of books, or drew on theinch-square blackboards with crumbs of chalk.
"They know their lessons very well, and are as still as mice. We make agreat racket at our school, and get bad marks every day. I shall tell thegirls they had better mind what they do, or their dolls will be betterscholars than they are," said Effie, much impressed, as she peeped in andsaw no rod in the hand of the little mistress, who looked up and shook herhead at the intruder, as if begging her to go away before the order of theschool was disturbed.
Effie retired at once, but could not resist one look in at the window of afine mansion, where the family were at dinner, the children behaved sowell at table, and never grumbled a bit when their mamma said they couldnot have any more fruit.
"Now, show me something else," she said, as they came again to the lowdoor that led out of Doll-land.
"You have seen how we prepare for Christmas; let me show you where we lovebest to send our good and happy gifts," answered the spirit, giving herhis hand again.
"I know. I've seen ever so many," began Effie, thinking of her ownChristmases.
"No, you have never seen what I will show you. Come away, and rememberwhat you see to-night."
Like a flash that bright world vanished, and Effie found herself in a partof the city she had never seen before. It was far away from the gayerplaces, where every store was brilliant with lights and full of prettythings, and every house wore a festival air, while people hurried to andfro with merry greetings. It was down among the dingy streets where thepoor lived, and where there was no making ready for Christmas.
Hungry women looked in at the shabby shops, longing to buy meat and bread,but empty pockets forbade. Tipsy men drank up their wages in the bar-rooms; and in many cold dark chambers little children huddled under thethin blankets, trying to forget their misery in sleep.
No nice dinners filled the air with savory smells, no gay trees droppedtoys and bonbons into eager hands, no little stockings hung in rows besidethe chimney-piece ready to be filled, no happy sounds of music, gayvoices, and dancing feet were heard; and there were no signs of Christmasanywhere.
"Don't they have any in this place?" asked Effie, shivering, as she heldfast the spirit's hand, following where he led her.
"We come to bring it. Let me show you our best workers." And the spiritpointed to some sweet-faced men and women who came stealing into the poorhouses, working such beautiful miracles that Effie could only stand andwatch.
Some slipped money into the empty pockets, and sent the happy mothers tobuy all the comforts they needed; others led the drunken men out oftemptation, and took them home to find safer pleasures there. Fires werekindled on cold hearths, tables spread as if by magic, and warm clotheswrapped round shivering limbs. Flowers suddenly bloomed in the chambers ofthe sick; old people found themselves remembered; sad hearts were consoledby a tender word, and wicked ones softened by the story of Him who forgaveall sin.
But the sweetest work was for the children; and Effie held her breath towatch these human fairies hang up and fill the little stockings withoutwhich a child's Christmas is not perfect, putting in things that once shewould have thought very humble presents, but which now seemed beautifuland precious because these poor babies had nothing.
"That is so beautiful! I wish I could make merry Christmases as these goodpeople do, and be loved and thanked as they are," said Effie, softly, asshe watched the busy men and women do their work and steal away withoutthinking of any reward but their own satisfaction.
"You can if you will. I have shown you the way. Try it, and see how happyyour own holiday will be hereafter."
As he spoke, the spirit seemed to put his arms about her, and vanishedwith a kiss.
"Oh, stay and show me more!" cried Effie, trying to hold him fast.
"Darling, wake up, and tell me why you are smiling in your sleep," said avoice in her ear; and opening her eyes, there was mamma bending over her,and morning sunshine streaming into the room.
"Are they all gone? Did you hear the bells? Wasn't it splendid?" sheasked, rubbing her eyes, and looking about her for the pretty child whowas so real and sweet.
"You have been dreaming at a great rate,--talking in your sleep, laughing,and clapping your hands as if you were cheering some one. Tell me what wasso splendid," said mamma, smoothing the tumbled hair and lifting up thesleepy head.
Then, while she was being dressed, Effie told her dream, and Nurseythought it very wonderful; but mamma smiled to see how curiously thingsthe child had thought, read, heard, and seen through the day were mixed upin her sleep.
"The spirit said I could work lovely miracles if I tried; but I don't knowhow to begin, for I have no magic candle to make feasts appear, and lightup groves of Christmas trees, as he did," said Effie, sorrowfully.
"Yes, you have. We will do it! we will do it!" And clapping her hands,mamma suddenly began to dance all over the room as if she had lost herwits.
"How? how? You must tell me, mamma," cried Effie, dancing after her, andready to believe anything possible when she remembered the adventures ofthe past night.
"I've got it! I've got it!--the new idea. A splendid one, if I can onlycarry it out!" And mamma waltzed the little girl round till her curls flewwildly in the air, while Nursey laughed as if she would die.
"Tell me! tell me!" shrieked Effie. "No, no; it is a surprise,--a grandsurprise for Christmas day!" sung mamma, evidently charmed with her happythought. "Now, come to breakfast; for we must work like bees if we want toplay spirits tomorrow. You and Nursey will go out shopping, and get heapsof things, while I arrange matters behind the scenes."
They were running downstairs as mamma spoke, and Effie called outbreathlessly,--
"It won't be a surprise; for I know you are going to ask some poorchildren here, and have a tree or something. It won't be like my dream;for they had ever so many trees, and more children than we can findanywhere."
"There will be no tree, no party, no dinner, in this house at all, and nopresents for you. Won't that be a surprise?" And mamma laughed at Effie'sbewildered face.
"Do it. I shall like it, I think; and I won't ask any questions, so itwill all burst upon me when the time comes," she said; and she ate herbreakfast thoughtfully, for this really would be a new sort of Christmas.
All that morning Effie trotted after Nursey in and out of shops, buyingdozens of barking dogs, woolly lambs, and squeaking birds; tiny tea-sets,gay picture-books, mittens and hoods, dolls and candy. Parcel after parcelwas sent home; but when Effie returned she saw no trace of them, thoughshe peeped everywhere. Nursey chuckled, but wouldn't give a hint, and wentout again in the afternoon with a long list of more things to buy; whileEffie wandered forlornly about the house, missing the usual merry stirthat went before the Christmas dinner and the evening fun.
As for mamma, she was quite invisible all day, and came in at night sotired that she could only lie on the sofa to rest, smiling as if some verypleasant thought made her happy in spite of weariness.
"Is the surprise going on all right?" asked Effie, anxiously; for itseemed an immense time to wait till another evening came.
"Beautifully! better than I expected; for several of my good friends arehelping, or I couldn't have done it as I wish. I know you will like it,dear, and long remember this new way of making Christmas merry."
Mamma gave her a very tender kiss, and Effie went to bed.
* * * * * * *
The next day was a very strange one; for when she woke there was nostocking to examine, no pile of gifts under her napkin, no one said "MerryChristmas!" to her, and the dinner was just as usual to her. Mammavanished again, and Nursey kept wiping her eyes and saying: "The dearthings! It's the prettiest idea I ever heard of. No one but your blessedma could have done it."
"Do stop, Nursey, or I shall go crazy because I don't know the secret!"cried Effie, more than once; and she kept her eye on the clock, for atseven in the evening the surprise was to come off.
The longed-for hour arrived at last, and the child was too excited to askquestions when Nurse put on her cloak and hood, led her to the carriage,and they drove away, leaving their house the one dark and silent one inthe row.
"I feel like the girls in the fairy tales who are led off to strangeplaces and see fine things," said Effie, in a whisper, as they jingledthrough the gay streets.
"Ah, my deary, it is like a fairy tale, I do assure you, and youwill see finer things than most children will tonight. Steady, now,and do just as I tell you, and don't say one word whatever you see,"answered Nursey, quite quivering with excitement as she patted a large boxin her lap, and nodded and laughed with twinkling eyes.
They drove into a dark yard, and Effie was led through a back door to alittle room, where Nurse coolly proceeded to take off not only her cloakand hood, but her dress and shoes also. Effie stared and bit her lips, butkept still until out of the box came a little white fur coat and boots, awreath of holly leaves and berries, and a candle with a frill of goldpaper round it. A long "Oh!" escaped her then; and when she was dressedand saw herself in the glass, she started back, exclaiming, "Why, Nursey,I look like the spirit in my dream!"
"So you do; and that's the part you are to play, my pretty! Now whist,while I blind your eyes and put you in your place."
"Shall I be afraid?" whispered Effie, full of wonder; for as they went outshe heard the sound of many voices, the tramp of many feet, and, in spiteof the bandage, was sure a great light shone upon her when she stopped.
"You needn't be; I shall stand close by, and your ma will be there."
After the handkerchief was tied about her eyes, Nurse led Effie up somesteps, and placed her on a high platform, where something like leavestouched her head, and the soft snap of lamps seemed to fill the air.
Music began as soon as Nurse clapped her hands, the voices outside soundednearer, and the tramp was evidently coming up the stairs.
"Now, my precious, look and see how you and your dear ma have made a merryChristmas for them that needed it!"
Off went the bandage; and for a minute Effie really did think she wasasleep again, for she actually stood in "a grove of Christmas trees," allgay and shining as in her vision. Twelve on a side, in two rows down theroom, stood the little pines, each on its low table; and behind Effie ataller one rose to the roof, hung with wreaths of popcorn, apples,oranges, horns of candy, and cakes of all sorts, from sugary hearts togingerbread Jumbos. On the smaller trees she saw many of her own discardedtoys and those Nursey bought, as well as heaps that seemed to have raineddown straight from that delightful Christmas country where she felt as ifshe was again.
"How splendid! Who is it for? What is that noise? Where is mamma?" criedEffie, pale with pleasure and surprise, as she stood looking down thebrilliant little street from her high place.
Before Nurse could answer, the doors at the lower end flew open, and inmarched twenty-four little blue-gowned orphan girls, singing sweetly,until amazement changed the song to cries of joy and wonder as the shiningspectacle appeared. While they stood staring with round eyes at thewilderness of pretty things about them, mamma stepped up beside Effie, andholding her hand fast to give her courage, told the story of the dream ina few simple words, ending in this way:--
"So my little girl wanted to be a Christmas spirit too, and make this ahappy day for those who had not as many pleasures and comforts as she has.She likes surprises, and we planned this for you all. She shall play thegood fairy, and give each of you something from this tree, after whichevery one will find her own name on a small tree, and can go to enjoy itin her own way. March by, my dears, and let us fill your hands."
Nobody told them to do it, but all the hands were clapped heartily beforea single child stirred; then one by one they came to look up wonderinglyat the pretty giver of the feast as she leaned down to offer them greatyellow oranges, red apples, bunches of grapes, bonbons, and cakes, tillall were gone, and a double row of smiling faces turned toward her as thechildren filed back to their places in the orderly way they had beentaught.
Then each was led to her own tree by the good ladies who had helped mammawith all their hearts; and the happy hubbub that arose would havesatisfied even Santa Claus himself,--shrieks of joy, dances of delight,laughter and tears (for some tender little things could not bear so muchpleasure at once, and sobbed with mouths full of candy and hands full oftoys). How they ran to show one another the new treasures! how they peepedand tasted, pulled and pinched, until the air was full of queer noises,the floor covered with papers, and the little trees left bare of all butcandles!
"I don't think heaven can be any gooder than this," sighed one small girl,as she looked about her in a blissful maze, holding her full apron withone hand, while she luxuriously carried sugar-plums to her mouth with theother.
"Is that a truly angel up there?" asked another, fascinated by the littlewhite figure with the wreath on its shining hair, who in some mysteriousway had been the cause of all this merry-making.
"I wish I dared to go and kiss her for this splendid party," said a lamechild, leaning on her crutch, as she stood near the steps, wondering howit seemed to sit in a mother's lap, as Effie was doing, while she watchedthe happy scene before her.
Effie heard her, and remembering Tiny Tim, ran down and put her arms aboutthe pale child, kissing the wistful face, as she said sweetly, "You may;but mamma deserves the thanks. She did it all; I only dreamed about it."
Lame Katy felt as if "a truly angel" was embracing her, and could onlystammer out her thanks, while the other children ran to see the prettyspirit, and touch her soft dress, until she stood in a crowd of blue gownslaughing as they held up their gifts for her to see and admire.
Mamma leaned down and whispered one word to the older girls; and suddenlythey all took hands to dance round Effie, singing as they skipped.
It was a pretty sight, and the ladies found it hard to break up the happyrevel; but it was late for small people, and too much fun is a mistake. Sothe girls fell into line, and marched before Effie and mamma again, to saygoodnight with such grateful little faces that the eyes of those wholooked grew dim with tears. Mamma kissed every one; and many a hungrychildish heart felt as if the touch of those tender lips was their bestgift. Effie shook so many small hands that her own tingled; and when Katycame she pressed a small doll into Effie's hand, whispering, "You didn'thave a single present, and we had lots. Do keep that; it's the prettiestthing I got."
"I will," answered Effie, and held it fast until the last smiling face wasgone, the surprise all over, and she safe in her own bed, too tired andhappy for anything but sleep.
"Mamma, it was a beautiful surprise, and I thank you so much! I don't seehow you did it; but I like it best of all the Christmases I ever had, andmean to make one every year. I had my splendid big present, and here isthe dear little one to keep for love of poor Katy; so even that part of mywish came true."
And Effie fell asleep with a happy smile on her lips, her one humble giftstill in her hand, and a new love for Christmas in her heart that neverchanged through a long life spent in doing good.