Spectacles for Young Eyes - Rome (1865) (Hardcover)

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER m. THE CHRISTMAS TREE. CHRISTMAS HYMN. THE MAN IN THE MOON. AT last, when our hats and coats had been put away, and the unlucky baby packed in bed, where we should always like to keep him, then we assembled together in the parlor, and listened impatiently for Santa Glaus; but not a sound was heard. "Do you think he will come down the chimney?" said Mary, "I hear a dreadful scratching." " Hush " said Peter cautiously. Then we listened a long time, and in vain, for a sound. It was so still it seemed quite solemn. How long we waited I cannot tell, but until our patience was quite gone. Then we heard a laugh and faint whispers in the next room; and gradually we became less frightened, and thought it might not be so alarming after all to meet Santa Glaus, as he only came to good children. At last the doors slowly opened, and we were allowed to enter. THE CHRISTMAS TliKIi. A tall green fir-tree glittered with lighted tapers. Golden fruits hung from the boughs, golden gifts shone on the branches. A rocking-horse stood at one side of the table, apparently waiting impatiently for a rider; but the rider had crept under the table in search of forbidden fruit, ? like Adam, discontented even in Paradise. A doll in her wicker-carriage begged for an airing round the room. Our stout German friend and his kind wife, who had arranged every thing for us, stood by composedly smoking; and little Tom was lifted up to see the tree, and presented with a doll, that looked tipsy with delight at the universal merriment. A house seemed to ask for an owner to take immediate possession: its trees and fences needed an owner to keep them in order. Balls and whips rioted about the floor in confusion. Drums were beating, fifes were squeaking; and a little girl was humbly pres...