HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1986-12-23, Page 40The Little Match-girl
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and joy above the earth, very, very
high, and up there was neither
cold, nor hunger, nor care - they
were with God.
’7r was a warm, bright flame, like a little candle....
[Hullett Central School]
PAGE 40. THE CITIZEN, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1986.
peace
BY HANS CHRISTIAN
ANDERSON
In the cold and gloom a poor little
girl, bareheaded and barefoot, was
walking through the streets. In an
old apron she carried a number of
matchesandabundleofthem in
her hand. No one had bought
anything of her all day!
Her little hands were almost
benumbedwith the cold. Ah, a
match mightdoher good, if she
could only draw one from the
bundle and rub it against the wall
and warm her hands at it. She drew
oneout. R-r-atch! How it sputtered
and burned! It was a warm, bright
flame, like a little candle, when she
heldherhandsoverit. Butthelittle
flame went out... and she had only
the remains of the burnt match in
her hand.
dinner service; the roast goose
smoked gloriously, stuffed with
apples and dried plums. Then the
match went out and only the thick,
cold wall was before her. She
lighted another match. Then she
was sitting under a beautiful
Christmas tree. Thousands of
candles burned upon the green
branches, the little girl stretched
forth her hand toward them; then
the match went out. The Christmas
lights mounted higher. She saw
them now as stars in the sky; one of
them fell down, forming a long line
of fire.
A second was rubbed against the
wall. It burned up. and when the
light fell upon the wall it became
transparent like athin veil, and she
could see through it into the room.
On the table a snow-white cloth
was spread; upon it stood a shining
“Now someone is dying,’’
thought the little girl, for her old
grandmother, the only person who
hadlovedher.andwhowas now
dead, had told her that when a star
fell down asoul mounted upto God.
She rubbed another match
against the wall; it became bright
again, and in the brightness the old
grandmother stood clear and
shining, mild and lovely.
She took the little girl in her
arms, and both flew in brightness
Peace and good
will to everyone
this Christmas Sea
son and always.
Pat, Andrea&
Annette Lucas
Blyth
Variety
Merry
May this holiday
bo the best yet!
ELECTRIC
BILL AITCHISON Brussels
Whis is We frag which the Unrb has made,
ffiet us rejoice anb be glab in it!
($fiahn 118:24)
A Blessed Christmas to one and all I
HARV, DEANNA & STAFF AT
Snell's Grocery,