A Christmas Gift

He WM feeHe and oíd, and bis figure was droopinf An he sat (itere watching (be boy in bis sleep; And tremulouB shadows were waving about him As tlie fin burned fiíf ul with fiickcr and Icap. His hair was scauly añil silvered witb trouble - White as the snow that was fiUlng without ; His eyes were dim with an age of sorrow, Wistful witb hoping and anxious witii doubt, Poor oíd f yes ! They were tender and loving, Watching the feverish child's unrest : Notinjí the pain on tbc delicate features, That rIiouIcI have been close to a mothcrh breast. Burning witb fever the boy lay mbauing, His sunlten eheolïs were aglow with red, And his little hand with their restless fingers Vandered uneasily over the bed. The aged watclur, with pleadlng auguish Pours bie heart in an carnest prayer- A pmyer of imporlnnate, tender yearniug i'or the Bweei vomig life tbat is fading there - Tbe ono deai life that is left tn care fo?. O Blessed Christ! On tby natal day. Out of thine infinite love and pity, The hand of tbe dread destróyer stay ! lint tbc boy sleeps on, and the snow is fetill falling Out in tbe silent and Borrowful night, And tbe shadows mock at the oíd man'a figure, Sitting there in tbe flickering ligbt. It is Christmas ere, aud the thought carne snelden, Bringing a trar to bis faded eye - ' The íight of the Chrtstmas sim will show me If the little one, is to lie or die." Vüd his thoughts went back in a rush of feeling To the Ciristma days of tbe years long pat ; Tear by year, with their mournful burdens, The ead procession came thronging past. Ie thonght of his own far disiant cbildhood, Careless and happy and gladtjame and gay, Asking no questions of fate or of fortune, Eagerly looking for Christmas Day. He thought of his inauhood, reliant and fearlesfl, Wnen Christmas brought him a fond young bride, With a wealth of love in her eyes of beauty, That was worth all wealth in tbe world besidc. And the years went on, and the childrcn gathercd About the hearthstone, hajpy and brigLt ; And Christmas eve was a night of rejoicing, Aud Christmas raorning brought wild delight. Aud the youngest child was tbe household's darliag, With snnny eyes that were bright with joy; And he Bees her well-remembered features Iïi the f evercd face of tbe motherlese boy. Gone, all gone ! and the anow is still falling Out in the night as the bours go by ; And au oniinous Presencc within seems - AVaiting to sever the last fond tie. Gone is the wealth that was hard in winning ; Gone are children aud hoine and wif e ; Poor and broken and bent and aged, He waita for the issue of death or life. Sudden he stoops, witb an anxious gesture - Tbr little Bleeper make.s a fceble moan - Hie lips are moviug, the words come trembliug ; The oíd man listens and stifles a groan. "Ip it Christmas yet? Tt is long in coming! Why is it hot? I am burning here ! Christmas comes in the winter weather - It cau't be Christmas yet, grandpa, áoar', 'Christmas comes in tho winter weather, When the air is frosty aud cold, I know ; You said I wonld hear the leigh-belle jingle, And bundlc up and go out in the snow. "And you eaid in the beautiful Christmas ing- But it caa't be moruiug, tbe room is so dark - If Í was good, so that He could love me, Tbe Christmas-child miglit bring me a Ho&h'fl I ark. l My throat is so pore ! - will it ever be morning? Grandpa, dear; I ehould like to pray That the Christ-child would come and niake tac better, And take this pain in my Jiead away." Tbe blue e yes close, luit the lips are etill moving. And the little fingere are folded in prayer- Till again he drops into tbe restk-ss slumber, Aud again the old man isvratching him tbere; Till he riaes to place in a little stocking A few loving gifts for tbe Christmas morn ; But, as he thinks, " Will the little one seed them ?" The hot tears roll from his eyes forlorn. And the bours go by, and on.it in the darkness Thf chili white snow drops out of the sky, ■hl-onding the world in a gbostly garment - The dead, cold world, as tbe hours go by. While up througb the night to the tbrone of heaven - Up to tbe pitying Christ on high - The angels have carried the old man'a prayer. Aud the brokeu word3 of the child's weak cry, The night is passed and the clouds have vanished ; Cold and clear is the morning's light ; But still the aged eyes are watching, Dim with the shadows that haunted the uight. But the face of the sleepiug child is placid ; The fever ík gonc - will be waken to dié ? The sweet eyes open in tranquil -beauty - Their blue is as clear as the morning sky. Aiid " Grandpa, dear," said his thiu, weak treble, " I thought my mamma wae standing there ; Her face was white, but her eyes were loving, And Vm sure it was her hand touched my hair. "And tlie pain went out of my head that minute Aud a pleasant feeling apon me feil ; - Graudpa, dear, did the Chrifit-child send her Out of Heaven to make me wcll ? ' And now it is Christmas moruing, ain't it? Is tbat the jiugle of the sleigh-bells? Hark : And tbere's my stocking ! - Oh, eee these, gramlpa ! The Christ-cbild remembered my Noah's ark." They are tears of joy the old man ie shedding, As his poor eyes blink in the rising sun, For the blessed gift of that Christmas morning- The precious life of the little ofte, - Oraphic.