was given into the keeping of the goddess of affection, as a symbol of
love and not of death, to those who passed beneath it. A berry was
required to be picked with every kiss and presented to the maiden as
a sign of good fortune, the privilege ceasing when all the berries
were gathered.

One of the most beautiful legends of the Black Forest, in Germany, is
that of the origin of the chrysanthemum, or "Christ-flower." On a
dark, stormy Christmas Eve a poor charcoal-burner was wending his way
homeward through the deep snow-drifts under the pine trees, with a
loaf of coarse black bread and a piece of goat's-milk cheese as
contributions to the holiday cheer. Suddenly, during a brief lull in
the tempest, he heard a low, wailing cry, and, searching patiently, at
length discovered a benumbed and half-clad child, but little more than
an infant in years or size. Wrapping him snugly in his cloak, he
hurried onward toward the humble cottage from which rays of light
streamed cheerfully through the uncurtained windows. The good
"hausmutter" sat before the fire with her little ones anxiously
awaiting her husband's return; and when the poor, frozen waif was
placed upon her knee, her heart overflowed with compassion, and before
long he was comfortably warmed and fed, while the children vied with
each other in displaying the attractions of the pretty fir tree, with
its tiny colored tapers and paper ornaments.

All at once a mist appeared, enveloping the timid stranger, a halo
formed around his brow and two silvery wings sprang magically from his
shoulders. Gradually rising, higher and higher, he finally disappeared
from sight, his hands outspread in benediction, while the
terror-stricken family fell upon their knees, crossing themselves, and
murmuring in awestruck whispers, "_The Holy Christ-Child!_"

The next morning the father found, on the bleak, cold spot where the
child had lain, a lovely blossom of dazzling white, which he bore
reverently homeward and named the chrysanthemum, or "flower of
Christ," and each succeeding festival season some starved and
neglected orphan was bidden to his frugal board in memory of the time
when he entertained "an angel unawares."

In "Merrie England" Christmas was the chief event of the entire year,
and was sometimes celebrated for nearly a month. The tables of the
wealthy literally groaned with plenty, but the poor without their
gates were not forgotten, for--

"Old Christmas had come for