St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1857-12-17


: to her. If come near her again. m,
, heart may speak, in spite of myself
and, for my presumption, | may los,
my greatest treasure now, her friend
ship. In few days | will write t,
You again, and tell you of my plan.
more definitely. Perhaps shall come
to You most likely shall. Ny veal
t at this place expires at Christmas
|. lhen | shall conclude finally upol
some plan. Now, goodnight.
Truly yours, GERALD HASTINGS"
Christmas was drawing near; anC
Eflie Hamilton was very busy with
many mysterious preparations. There
were, in Clarencc's house, two large
vacant third story rooms, unfurnishcd
For several days, Ellie had shut her
self up in these rooms, excepting
when out and the result of her mis-
slons was great number of large
packages, baskets, and bundles, which
were all carried by direction to the
third story chambers.
At length, the day before Christ
mas arrived. Clarence came home t.
dinner about two O'Clock and Eff,
won from him promise to stay al
home, and aid her the rest of the day
; Now, Claire she said, seating her.
self on his knee after dinner, al want
to tell you what have been doing all
this week. In the first place, | took
Caroline, the pretty scamstrcss, that
worked here SO long, into my conf
dcnce and we made out a list of all
the poor people she knew, where they
live, how many children there were,
names and ages, and all the particu,
lars thcn-thcre's ring at the bell.
It's Caroline. l know. She promised
to come, this afternoon, and help me-"
The door opened, and a very pretty
brunette entered. Her plain street
dress only heightened her charms /:
and the rich color brought into her
checks by exercise added to her beau
ty. Etlic took off her things; Clarence
set chair for her; and then the three
sat down for sociable chat.
4" How do your preparations pro-
grcss, Miss Hamilton ?" inquired Car
olinc.
famousiy, Carrie. Drop that u'Ss.
am Ellie to my friends. But come, as
soon as you are rested from your walk
we VIII go up stars, and | will show
Sou an my preparations;
Il am restcd,' said Caroline, leav-
ing her chair
tuaire take Care of '' c"rria "n '" '''' WnS And
Ellie went swiftly nm the stairs nm.
locked and threw omen thc door Of thc
mysterious room.
Clarence looked into if with amaze.
mcnt. The entire centre of the aoor
through both rooms was occupied bv
two long lines. one of lorrc covered
baskets, the other of small Christmas
trees Each troo was hung wifi lows
bonbons. flowers and fruit
Clarence looked at his sister who
taking his hand, led him mn TO the
head of the line, and uncovered the
basket, "Tbis is for Mrs Thomas n
poor washcrwomon with three cbil-
dren,- she said. "Thc basket CON
I tains n turl,nv rou 600 tvo MOS
peck of potatoes some currcnt.ielly in
that lar. and. in this tightly covered
kettle, some oysters That is for the
Christmas dinner At the bottom of
the basket thcrn is = hox cont,inino. :,
five dollar cold niece .tbot"--ond Che
covered the boskot-"is thc widow's
own share. This tree Won see has n
horse and drum and othcr tnvs for tho
two little bows a doll.bobv and work.
box for tbc little rirl and candles
cakes and bonbons for all All the
baskets are alike cxccptinr that some
contain wine and inyolid's food extro
for the nlaccs where thcro arc sicl
The trees vary accordinn, to the ares
of the children, Have | done rimht
Claire ?"
eyes LITTLE sunboam-
Now. Claire, as soon os II * dark
there will be a fprniturc.car at the
door to carry ali These thinrs 70 tbe;,.
rcspectivc destinations Carrie and
are GOING with # to take a slv neon
at some of tbc children win Won
come ?"
"Indeed I will You two stav
here while | order the corriorc We
can e.et ont at tlo corncrs oftLc stroot !,
Jnst about dpsk thcrc stonned ,t
the corner of a little court ncar.---
Street, a large furniture-car and a car.
riamo Two mon mot down from the
first. a gentleman and two plainIy
clad ladies from the second
"Jamcs.v said Fife "vou are tc
take This basket, And she indicated
one in the car. "And. Claire, will
YOU take the tree: 1t is not heavy,
Mother" said a little boy, leaning
his head against his mothers knee
tomorrow is Christmas day. and
we won't have any presents Dom,
Won wish we were rich. and had bio
room-this one is so littlc-and had
some money to buy n Christmas din