A Little Book for Christmas   By: Cyrus Townsend Brady (1861-1920)

A Little Book for Christmas

Containing a Greeting, a Word of Advice, Some Personal Adventures, a Carol, a Meditation, and Three Christmas Stories for All Ages

By Cyrus Townsend Brady

Author of "And Thus He Came, A Christmas Fantasy," "Christmas When the West Was Young," etc., etc.

With Illustrations and Decorations by Will Crawford

G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press 1917

DEDICATED TO MRS. LEONARD L. HILL AND HER CHARMING COMPANIONS OF THE AMERICAN CRITERION SOCIETY OF NEW YORK BY THEIR CHAPLAIN

[Illustration]

PREFACE

Christmas is one of the great days of obligation and observance in the Church of which I am a Priest; but it is much more than that, it is one of the great days of obligation and observance in the world. Furthermore it is one of the evidences of the power of Him Whose birth we commemorate that its observation is not limited by conditions of race and creed. Those who fail to see in Him what we see nevertheless see something and even by imperfect visions are moved to joy. The world transmutes that joy into blessing, not merely by giving of its substance but of its soul because men perceive that it is for the soul's good and because they hope to receive its benefits although they well know that giving is far better than receiving, in the very words of Him Who gave us the greatest of all gifts Himself.

As a Priest of the Church, as a Missionary in the Far West, as the Rector of large and important parishes I have been brought in touch with varied life. Christmas in all its phases is familiar to me. The author of many books and stories as well as the preacher of many sermons, it is natural that Christmas should have engaged a large part of my attention. Out of the abundance of material which I have accumulated in the course of a long ministry and a longer life I have gathered here a sheaf of things I have written about Christmas; personal adventures, stories suggested by the old yet ever new theme; meditations, words of advice which I am old enough to be entitled to give; and last but not least good wishes and good will. I might even call this little volume A Book of Good Will toward Men . And so fit it not only for Christmas but for all other seasons as well.

If it shall add to your joy in Christmas, dear reader, and better still, if it shall move you to add to the joy of some one else at Christmas tide or in any other season, I shall be well repaid for my efforts and incidentally you will also be repaid for your purchase.

CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY.

THE HEMLOCKS, PARK HILL, YONKERS, N.Y. 1917

NOTE OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The author is in debt to his long time and greatly beloved friend the Rev. Alsop Leffingwell for the beautiful musical setting of the little carol which this book contains.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE I. A CHRISTMAS GREETING 1 " Peace on Earth, Good Will toward Men "

II. FROM A FAR COUNTRY 13 A story for grown ups Being a new variation of an ancient theme

III. ON CHRISTMAS GIVING 59 Being a word of much needed advice

IV. IT WAS THE SAME CHRISTMAS MORNING 69 A story for girls In which it is shown how different the same thing may be

V. A CHRISTMAS CAROL 81 To be sung to the music accompanying it

VI. THE LONE SCOUT'S CHRISTMAS 85 A story for boys Wherein is set forth the courage of youth

VII. LOOKING INTO THE MANGER 115 A Christmas meditation

VIII. CHRISTMAS IN THE SNOWS 141 Being some personal adventures in the Far West

IX. A CHRISTMAS WISH 173 For everybody everywhere

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE THE AUTHOR MAKING HIS BOOK Frontispiece

"I SOUGHT DAT SANTY CLAUS TAME DOWN DE CHIMNEY," SAID THE YOUNGER OF THE TWAIN 46

"I AM SURE, MISS, THAT THEY DO WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS" 76

"THE STARS LOOK DOWN" 84

"THRUSTING HIS TOES INTO THE STRAPS HE STRUCK OUT BOLDLY" 96

"THE WORLD BOWS DOWN TO A MOTHER AND HER CHILD AND THE MOTHER HERSELF IS AT THE FEET OF THE CHILD" 124

[Illustration]

A CHRISTMAS GREETING