The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1857-12-24

ing when out and the result of her mission
was q great number Of large packages, bas-
kets, and bundles, which were all carried by
direction to the third story chambers.
AT length, the day before Christmas ar
rived. Clarence came home to dinner about
two O'Clock and Effie won from him a pro-
mise TO stay at home, and aid her the rest of
the day. "Now, Claire" she said, seating
herself on his knee after dinner, +" want to
tell you what have been doing all this week.
In the first place, / took Caroline, the pretty
seamstress, that worked here so long, into my
confidence and we made out list Of all the
poor people she knew where they live, how
many children there were, names and ages,
and all the particulars then-there's q ring
at the bell. It's Caroline, know. She
promised to come, this afternoon, and help
me-" Es-fyt - -s 80 ~
The door opened, and a very pretty bru-
nette entered. Her plain street dress only
heightened her charms; and the rich color
brought into her cheeks by exercise added
to her beauty. Effie took off her things !:
Clarence set chair for her; and then the
three sat down Fer social chat
How do your preparations progress, Miss
Hamilton 7" inquired Caroline.
"Famously, Carrie. Drop that Miss. I
am Effie to my friends. But come, as soon
as you are rested from your walk, we will
so up stairs, and will show you all INV
preparations" 7a sr ~ len :
i am rested, said Caroline, leaving her
chair. ...,.., !.---.a q, - :
"Come, then. I will lead the. way
Claire, take care of Carrie" And Eifie
went swiftly up the stairs, unlocked and
threw open the door of the mysterious
room. . ..... .a -. . a.
Clarence looked into it with amazement.
The entire centre Of the floor, through both
rooms, was occupied by two long lines, one
Of large covered baskets, the other Of small
Christmas-trees. Each tree was hung with
toys, bonbons, flowers, and fruit.
Clarence looked at his sister, who, taking
his hand, led him up to the head of the line,
and uncovered the basket. /" This is for Mrs.
Thomas, a poor washerwoman with three
children" she said. "The basket contains
turkey, you see, two pies, peck of potatoes,
some currentjelly in that Jar, and, in this
tightly covered kettle, some oysters. That
is for the Christmas dinner. At the bottom
OF the basket there is box containing five
dollar gold-piece; that land she covered
the basket-"is the widows own share
This tree. you see, has horse, and drum,
and other toys for the two little boys, a doll
baby and work-box for the little girl, and
caudies, cakes, and bonbons for all. All the
baskets are alike, excepting that some con-
tain wine and inyalids' food, extra, for the
place where there are sick. The trees vary
according TO the ages Of the children. Have
/ done right, Claire ~ .s.-. ..
z" Yes, little sunbeam" r -
Now, Claire, as soon as it is dark, there
will be furniture-car at the door, to carry
all these things to their respective destina-
tons. Carrie and I are going with it to
take sly peep at some of the children
Will you come" reg -,1.efl. .s-... B.
i" Indeed will You two stay here while
l order the carriage. We can get out at
the corners of the Streets" t s
just about dusk, there stopped, at the cor.
ner OF little court near Street, n large
furHiture-car and a carriage. Two men got
down from the first, gentleman and two
plainly clad ladies from the second.
"James," said Effie, you are to take
this basket" And she indicated one in the
car. 3" And, Claire, will you take the tree
1t is not heavy" 49, t
"Mother," said little boy, leaning his
head against his mothers knee, +" to morrow
is Christmas Day; and we won't have any
presents. Don't you wish we were rich,
and had q big room--this one is so little
and had some money TO buy Christmas
dinnerW ea ..s
Rap! rap! rap! at the door. A scream
Of delight followed its opening.
I" Oh, motherl mother !! come and look i!
here's real tree, Chis.mas-tree, and a
big basket See her, Ben r. rs another lit
tie boy came to the door. !" Bring them in.
See, it is really for us Here's mothers
name on The cover of the basket Oh, see
what big turkey, and pies, and---oh, here 8
oysters! Oh ! oh | oh and here's lots of
things on the tree, q doll that must be for
Jenny. oh, / wish she'd come inI Oh,
mother, here's a. gold piece in this little
beg p -, - ~. 80 q 81
," May God bless the kind heart that
thinks of the poor in this happy season r.
said the widow, fervently aud the door was
closed, none Of the happy party seeing three
figures standing back in the dark entry,
hooking at the Joy they had given. 5a.s,
Here comes James again with Miss Ma.
sons basket said Effie. That's ON the
next aoor. Come, James ~ lses Ees