Page 49 - HSLChristmasAnthology

HSL Christmas Anthology Page 49
26 THE CHKIST-CHILD
wishes." " Oh, please let us go," said Ger
trude : " I saw the Christ-child in a garden,
and he spoke to us just like you."
A sleigh was soon brought to the door,
and the unconscious mother and her chil
dren were lifted in, and covered warmly
with buffalo skins. Wolfgang was again
urged to go, but he answered very gruffly,
that he had rather stay where he was.
Heinrich and Gertrude were delighted
beyond measure. It was the first ride they
ever had. The multitude of happy-looking
children in the street, the merry bells, and
their rapid motion through the clear pure
air, made them very glad. At last they
came to a place which the gentleman told
them was his home. Two large houses
stood near each other, and around them
were several smaller ones, with many barns
.and outhouses. A wide circular space
around the large houses was laid out in gar
den walks, with many arches and arbours.
Snow covered the garden with a pure white
robe, and lay on the evergreen trees like a
mantle of swan's down. The principal gate
of entrance rose in a pointed arch, sur
mounted by a Cross, wreathed with a vine,
from which some crimson leaves still flutter
ed. A group of boys were building a snow