Sewickley Herald

              The Herald
Vol. XIV,, No. 18.	SEWICKLEY, PA., SATURDAY. DECEMBER 16. 1916. Price 5 Cents.
M Ctjrigtmasi Carol of Cromtueirs! Cime.
By Mary H. Neyin, (1896.)
Christmas Eve in Eldore village,
Two long centuries ago.
Found the streets deserted, empty. Covered with untrodden snow. Silence with the darkness deepened;
Not a sound, no light aglow;
Shutters barred hid frightened faces Full of dread and woe.
Christmas Eve, but what a Christmas!
Fear for gladness, care for joy.
For the Puritans were coming Christmas customs to destroy. “Christmas is a heathen fast day.
Ail who keep it are defiled;”
So the Roundheads spoke, all trembled—. All save one, a child.
By some strange mischance a choir boy. Sweetest singer of them all,
Had not heard the evil tidings.
Listened for the well known call; Entered in the old cathedral,
Wondering none were with him there; Thought to practice, while he waited, Christmas carols fair.
Now along the whitened roadway Came the steady tramp of feet— Stern, determined, gray garbed soldiers. Marching to a muffled beat.
Soon the light from the cathedral
Streamed out full across their path. And the regiment, long silent.
Stirred to sudden wrath.
“Slay these idol loving heathens!”
Called the leader, and the rest Rushed toward the village houses.
Quick to follow his behest.
Hark! Above. the growing tumult
Rose a child’s voice, high and clear; At the abbey door the captain Paused, and stopped to hear.
Turning then, he gave a signal.
Each grim Puritan stood still,
While a boyish voice sang sweetly, “Hallelujah! Peace! Good will!
To God be glory in the highest,
Peace on earth, good will to men; -Unto us is born a Saviour—
Christ, the Lord! Amen.”
When at last the anthem ended,
, Strange the scene the stars looked o’ er Lo, each man, with bared head, kneeling Where in arms he stood before.
' Rising then and shouldering matchlocks. Silent from the town they filed;
No man saw them thence departing.
But the angels smiled.
Tired of waiting now, the choir boy Passes out the abbey gate—
Wends alone his slow way homeward, Wondering why “they were so late;” Wonderingif “tonight the Christ child Really would come down below,” Wondering why there were so many Footprints in the snow!