The Project Gutenberg EBook of Christmas Eve at Swamp's End, by Norman Duncan

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Title: Christmas Eve at Swamp's End

Author: Norman Duncan

Release Date: December 25, 2008 [EBook #27612]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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Transcriber's Note

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CHRISTMAS
EVE
at
SWAMP'S
END

NORMAN DUNCAN

[Illustration: "Make of this child, a Man"]

CHRISTMAS EVE

at SWAMP'S END

NORMAN DUNCAN
author of

THE MEASURE OF A MAN
DOCTOR LUKE OF THE
LABRADOR ETC

[Illustration]

FLEMING H REVELL COMPANY

Copyright, 1911-1915
FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY

[Illustration]

_A Selection from
THE MEASURE OF A MAN
A Tale of the Big Woods_

[Illustration]

_THE WISTFUL HEART_

It was long after noon in the far, big, white Northwest. Day was on the
wing. Christmas Eve splendidly impended--thank God for unspoiled
childish faith and joys of children everywhere! Christmas Eve was fairly
within view and welcoming hail, at last, in the thickening eastern
shadows. Long Day at its close. Day in a perturbation of blessed
unselfishness. Day with its tasks of love not half accomplished. And Day
near done! Bedtime coming round the world on the jump. Nine o'clock
leaping from longitude to longitude. Night, impatient and determined,
chasing all the children of the world in drowsy expectation to
sleep--making a clean sweep of 'em, every one, with her soft, wide broom
of dusk. "Nine o'clock? Shoo! Off you go! To-morrow's on the way.
Soon--oh, soon! To-morrow's here when you fall asleep. Said 'em already,
have you? Not another word from either of you. Not a whisper, ye
grinning rascals! Cuddle down, little people of Christ's heart and
leading. Snuggle close--closer yet, my