The Louisa Alcott Reader

claimed a discontented-looking little girl, as she sat idly watching he

d something will happen to you, as it did to him, if you don't care for dear Christmas,

er of interest in her listless face, as she picked out the sourest

ng story some day. He hated Christmas until a strange dream showe

myself. But they don't keep me from being tired of Christmas," said Ef

d be the happiest time of all th

e. We always have a great dinner, and I eat too much, and feel ill next day. Then there is a Christmas tree somewhere, with a doll on top, or a stupid old Santa Claus, and children dancing and screaming over bonbons and toys th

her little girl so discontented, when she had everything

t all,--how would that suit you?" asked m

Effie, who was a fanciful little body, full of odd whims and notions, which her friends loved to gratify, rega

could only get a new idea to start with!" And mamma went on tying up her pretty bundles with a thoughtf

and there is a girl about my age splashing along, without any maid to fuss

to beg all day, and sleep on an ash-heap at nigh

doesn't seem to care a bit, though the water runs out of the toes of her boots. She goes paddling along, laughing at the rain, and eating a

arents, no home, and no hope of Christmas beyond a stick of candy or a cake. I wish you had been

o see them again," said Effie, turning from the window to the pr

f, if I can only find it." And mamma knit her brows trying to disco

curling herself up in the sofa corner, read it all before tea. Some of it she did not understand; b

h the pudding, and the stout old gentleman who danced so gayly

said Effie's nurse, "while I do

ded Effie, as she put on her blue silk wrapper and little fur-lin

was full of a curious jumble of Christmas elves, poor children, snow-storms, sugarplums, and surprise

. The snow was falling fast, a bitter wind whistled by, and night was coming on

ebody would come and take care of me. I don't know who I am, and I think I must be

freeze alone. The tears were chilled on her cheeks, her feet felt like icicles, and her heart died within her, so hungry, frightened, and forlorn was she. Laying her head on her knees, she gave herself u

d the welcome glimmer, but could not stir, and stood like a small statue of expec

ur hap

the worl

in all

winte

e joy w

tmas-tide

e east

s fro

the poo

warme

freely

tmas-tide

y tree

young

th tempti

voice

the bel

tmas-tide

appy

lesse

ws us al

me, de

eature

tmas-tide

oming to her through the night and snow. A rosy, smiling creature, wrapped in white fur, with a wreath of green and scarlet holly o

no trace of footsteps in the snow, only lighting the way with i

the stranger, taking Effie's cold hands in his, with a smile l

e, feeling no fear, but a gr

his is my holiday, and I gather them from all pa

" asked Effie, loo

ready for our holiday, when we are let out to roam about the world, helping make

you. Don't leave me aga

e to do. You are cold, and you shall be warm, hungry, a

fie's head and shoulders, a bowl of hot soup came sailing to her lips, and vanished when she had eagerly drunk the last dro

g. Green garlands hung on the walls, and every tree was a Christma

ented, and great piles were made ready to be sent to poor people. Other busy creatures packed money into purses, and wrot

rt of gifts they deserved. Some got peace, some disappointment, some remorse and sorrow, some great joy and hope. The rich had generous thoughts sent them; the poor, gra

d Effie, as soon as she could collect her wits aft

red of getting ready for the happy day. See, these are the saints just sett

re just driving, laden with toys, while a jolly old Santa Claus sat in the middl

nta Claus, and even he was a humbug,"

ones, even after you come to see that they ar

ttering of reindeer hoofs, while all the spirits gave a cheer that w

isn't any Santa Claus ag

place, I think, and may lea

ies sat in their parlors elegantly dressed; black dolls cooked in the kitchens; nurses walked out with the bits of dollies; and the streets were full of tin soldiers marching, wooden horses pranci

in her carriage took up a black worsted Dinah who was hobbling along with a basket of clean clothes, and carried her to her journey's end, as if it were the proper thing to do. Another intere

her to be as kind as that china doll," said Effie, much touched at the sweet way the pretty creature wrapped up the poor fr

k the girl you speak of won't forget this one." And the spi

school-house with the roof that lifted up, so one could see how nicely they sat at thei

ey had better mind what they do, or their dolls will be better scholars than they are," said Effie, much impressed, as she peeped in and saw no rod in the

ansion, where the family were at dinner, the children behaved so well at table, a

said, as they came again to the l

ow you where we love best to send our good and happy g

many," began Effie, think

will show you. Come away, and

yer places, where every store was brilliant with lights and full of pretty things, and every house wore a festival air, while people hurried

ts forbade. Tipsy men drank up their wages in the bar- rooms; and in many cold dark chambe

hands, no little stockings hung in rows beside the chimney-piece ready to be filled, no happy soun

d Effie, shivering, as she held fast the

inted to some sweet-faced men and women who came stealing into the poor ho

o find safer pleasures there. Fires were kindled on cold hearths, tables spread as if by magic, and warm clothes wrapped round shivering limbs. Flowers suddenly bloomed in t

l the little stockings without which a child's Christmas is not perfect, putting in things that once she would hav

be loved and thanked as they are," said Effie, softly, as she watched the busy men and wom

ou the way. Try it, and see how happ

med to put his arms about h

more!" cried Effie, tr

," said a voice in her ear; and opening her eyes, there was mamm

splendid?" she asked, rubbing her eyes, and looking ab

clapping your hands as if you were cheering some one. Tell me what was so spl

it very wonderful; but mamma smiled to see how curiously things the child ha

now how to begin, for I have no magic candle to make feasts appear, and

d clapping her hands, mamma suddenly began to dan

cing after her, and ready to believe anything possibl

ly carry it out!" And mamma waltzed the little girl round till her cu

dently charmed with her happy thought. "Now, come to breakfast; for we must work like bees if we want to play spirit

s as mamma spoke, and Effie

ren here, and have a tree or something. It won't be like my dream; for t

ouse at all, and no presents for you. Won't that be a

will all burst upon me when the time comes," she said; and she ate her

and candy. Parcel after parcel was sent home; but when Effie returned she saw no trace of them, though she peeped everywhere. Nursey chuckled, but wouldn't give a hint, and went out again in

t so tired that she could only lie on the sofa to rest, smiling as

d Effie, anxiously; for it seemed an immen

are helping, or I couldn't have done it as I wish. I know you will li

ry tender kiss, and

o one said "Merry Christmas!" to her, and the dinner was just as usual to her. Mamma vanished again, and Nursey kept wiping h

ecret!" cried Effie, more than once; and she kept her eye on the

uestions when Nurse put on her cloak and hood, led her to the carriage, and

off to strange places and see fine things," said Effie

tonight. Steady, now, and do just as I tell you, and don't say one word whatever you see," answered Nursey, q

o. Effie stared and bit her lips, but kept still until out of the box came a little white fur coat and boots, a wreath of holly leaves and berries, and a candle with a frill of gold

to play, my pretty! Now whist, while I b

t she heard the sound of many voices, the tramp of many feet, and, in spi

ll stand close by, and

e steps, and placed her on a high platform, where something like leave

ds, the voices outside sounded nearer, and t

you and your dear ma have made a mer

, stood the little pines, each on its low table; and behind Effie a taller one rose to the roof, hung with wreaths of popcorn, apples, oranges, horns of candy, and cakes of all sorts, from sugary hearts to gingerbread Jum

ma?" cried Effie, pale with pleasure and surprise, as she stoo

changed the song to cries of joy and wonder as the shining spectacle appeared. While they stood staring with round eyes at the wilderness of pretty things abo

has. She likes surprises, and we planned this for you all. She shall play the good fairy, and give each of you something from this tree, after

at the pretty giver of the feast as she leaned down to offer them great yellow oranges, red apples, bunches of grapes, bonbons, and cakes, till all

nces of delight, laughter and tears (for some tender little things could not bear so much pleasure at once, and sobbed with mouths full of candy and hands full of toys). How they ran to show one

as she looked about her in a blissful maze, holding her full apron with one

e little white figure with the wreath on its shining hair, who in

aning on her crutch, as she stood near the steps, wondering how it seemed to sit i

t the pale child, kissing the wistful face, as she said sweetly, "You may

, while the other children ran to see the pretty spirit, and touch her soft dress, until she

e older girls; and suddenly they all took hand

y goodnight with such grateful little faces that the eyes of those who looked grew dim with tears. Mamma kissed every one; and many a hungry childish heart felt as if the touch of those tender lips was their best gift. Eff

smiling face was gone, the surprise all over, and she safe

best of all the Christmases I ever had, and mean to make one every year. I had my splendid big present

mble gift still in her hand, and a new love for Christmas in her

ou want?" he aske

large