Poems (Bell)/A Christmas Story

by Clara L. Bell

A CHRISTMAS STORY.
Recitation.

Somehow, it does'nt seem
Like Christmas this year, wife:
I suppose it is because we miss
So much the little life
Entrusted to our care;
Ah me! Was ever gem
More dearly prized, more rare?
She went away: now let me see,
'Tis ten long years today
Since death's cold hand
Broke our home band,
Took Marjorie away.
Do you remember, wife, the year
She searched the woods all over
For evergreen and holly bright,
Our homely walls to cover?
She draped the walls and pictures, too
With mistletoe and pine
In memory of Him who was born
Among the lowly kine.

****

We're sitting here alone, dear wife,
Our boy has gone away;
We never thought
Our cherished son
Would ever go astray.
Somehow, I never thought
How it could be that our Joe
Would forge a check,
Would cause us such
Deep and bitter sorrow.
Ah well! Mayhap that some day
The clouds will a silver lining show,
And in the bright hereafter
We shall the real truth know.
Hark! Wife, I think I hear a step
And 'tis a step we know!
O can it be—it surely is—
It really is our Joe!
A lady with him (stranger, too).
Also a little child
With golden hair
(As Marjorie's was)
With eyes as blue and mild!

****

"I never, father, would come back
Until I knew—was sure—
That you knew, as I knew,
That I was ever pure.
The thief, in dying, confessed his guilt
And cleared for aye my name,
Thank God no guilt has ever tarnished
Or shall mar our fair name;
And she, who, in my time of need.
Stood ever by my side,
I bring to you, my wife,
And little Marjorie, our pride!"

****

How happy the old home
On the eve of Christmas day,
All trouble now is o'er,
The clouds have rolled away:
The firelight throws its shadows
On a happy group I "ken"
As the Christmas bells are chiming
"On earth, peace, good will towards men."