But the child's affright, attained its height.
Then sudden rang the loud alarum.  But
They heard it not.        *      *      *      *      *  There was once a manger,
Once a cross, and both by man despised.
But God hath both exalted high.  And once
A lonely cottage lowly, overlooked
By men.  But God on it had mercy.
Tho' He seemed to be in wrath.[Illustration: "The morning saw her come"]        Three wise men
Did not come, nor one.  A child, a girl
With golden hair and gray-blue laughing eyes,
A furtive playmate of the boy, with stress
Walked through the spotless wreaths of snow.  The morning
Saw her come, when all was still.  No lock
Debarred her, and she entered, having knocked.
She saw the writing on the blackboard big,
Against the wall, in trembling chalk--
"ON STRIKE TILL 3"  And duly signed by David Annandale.
She saw the mother's snow-white face upturned
To heaven.  She saw the raven locks of David
Strewn upon her breast.  And saw his face--
'Twas also white as snow.  The tragic scene
Was quickly seen.  She stood amazed a moment,
Then approached, uncertain, all atremble.
And she softly pressed her playmate's brow.
The chill of death went thro' her, and she gave
A piercing cry and fled.        Of Christmas Day,
Next day but one, the pretty child had come
To speak and childlike tell of something fine
She was to bring.  But that great day of countless
Happy homes would see the cottage empty.
Nature, nature's God, in mercy stayed
The stricken widow's ill-paid, weary labour.
She had gone on strike, as David said,
And she had taken her darling with her.1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing, or creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any country 

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