The Legend Of Goldberg

Stíll and ghastly ie the moonlight Lny the Germán village brown, But appeared no human figure, For the plague was in tho tovra. Thero had corpses lald uoburled, And whom death had chanced to sparr. Were all hidden in the housos From thu pestilential air. 60 in terror had they bidden, Dreading night, ofraid of day, Praying, waiting, scarcely koping, For the dread to pass away. Came the snow, then morning sunshlne. Came the Christmas as of old, But no form moved iu the village; It lay silent, white and cold. Rose that mom the sZnger, Caspar, From the bed where he had Uüa (He alone of all the stticken In his home would rise agaia). "I alone," bethought, "am living; I alone"- his eyes grew dim- "I aloDe of all the village May repeat the Christmas liynin 'What tbough death may beawaitlag - What ia deathf- the day is bright; I will sing the Christ ohild story- Sing it looking on the lightl" Open then he ihrcw the shutter. And upon t .. s;!nt stroet From his lips rang out th(l aiithem, Strong Dn 1 koper .1, elear and wen Through i'.m froslj ; r of morniug The old Christmas ouliiera rang- What was that? Another sbuttcr Opened wide as Caspar sang: And anothorl and another! - There was limit to the slainGod be Ihankcd! A score of voicts Joiued with Caspar in the straitl And thcy knew no more were dyins, Tbat tlie hand with power to stay . Had been reacbed out to deliver - This they knew on Christmas day.