CHRISTMAS WITH GRANDMA ELSIE

CHAPTER I.


It was about the middle of November. There had been a long rain storm,
ending in sleet and snow, and now the sun was shining brightly on a
landscape sheeted with ice: walks and roads were slippery with it, every
tree and shrub was encased in it, and glittering and sparkling as if
loaded with diamonds, as its branches swayed and tossed in the wind. At
Ion Mrs. Elsie Travilla stood at the window of her dressing-room gazing
with delighted eyes upon the lovely scene.

"How beautiful!" she said softly to herself; "and my Father made it all.
'He gives snow like wool: he scattereth the hoar frost like ashes. He
casteth forth his ice like morsels.'

"Ah, good morning, my dears," as the door opened and Rosie and Walter
came in together.

"Good morning, dearest mamma," they returned, hastening to her to give
and receive the affectionate kiss with which they were accustomed to
meet at the beginning of a new day.

"I'm so glad the long storm is over at last," said Rosie; "it is really
delightful to see the sunshine once more."

"And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added
her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever
attractive landscape spread out before them