Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-02-25
THOBURN & NICHOLS, PROPRIETORS.l
NEW SERIES, VOL g.. NO a.

ed here so long, into my confidence; and
we made out a list Of all the poor people
she knew, where they live, how many chill
dren there were, names and ages, and all
the particulars; then-there's a ring at tie
bell. It's Caroline, know. She promis-
ed to come. this afternoon, and help me.'
i The door opened, and 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 for a sociable chat.
"How do your Preparations progress,
Miss Hamilton!" inquired Caroline.
"Famously, Carrie. Drop that bliss.
am Efie to my friends. Bn, come, as soon
as :ou are rested from your ~alk, NE dill
go up stairs, and | will show YOU ali my
preparations"
81 am rested" said Caroline, leaving her
char.
"Come then. Twill lead the way. Claire,
take charge of Carrie" and Efie went
swiftly up the stairs, unlocked and threw
open the door of the mysterious room.
j Clarence looked INFO it with amazement.
The entire centre of the fuor, through both
rooms, was occupied by two long lines
one of large covered baskets. the other of
small Christmas-irees Each tree was
hung with toys, bonbons ifiowers, and fruit.
Clarence looked at his sister, who, taking
his hard, led him up to the head of the line,
and uncovered the basket. This is for
Mrs. Thomas, poor wa5berwoman with
three Chidren,'' she said. The basket
contains turkey, you see: two pies, peck
uf potatoes, Some currant-l Jelly in that ar,
and. in this tightly covered kettle, some
oys' er-. TLst is Tor thp CArIsi mas dinner.
A. the bottom o the basket there is a o Y
containing five 90 lar goid-Piece; that
and sh. covered ne baskrt--'.is the widows
: own share. This Tree, you see, has horse
AM drum, and her toys or the two little
boys, a doll Gabv and work box for the lit.
tie gr. and candies. cakes and bonbonS for
all. Al the baskets are olike, excepting
that some contain ine and inyaids' food
r extra, for the places where there are sick.
/ The trees vary according TO the ages Of the
children. Have done right, Clare!"
"Irs, little sunbeam"
Now, Claire, as socn as it is dark, there
, will be furniture-car al the door to carry
al these things to their respective desti-
nations. Carrie and are going with it TO
take sly peep at some of the Children
! VII! you cOme!"
Indeed will! You stay here while
order the carriage We can get out at the
corners of the str. et.''
Just about dusk, there stopped, at the
corner OF z little court near - street, a
f large furniture-car and a carriage. Two
men got down from the first, and a gentle
, man and TWO plainly clad ladies from the
, secosid
"James." said Efie, "you are to take this
t oaskal'' And shesind;cated 6fe iiithe car.
And. Claire, will you take the tree! 1t is
t net heavy"
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
aud had big rocm--,his one is so little
d and had some money to buy Christmas
+; dinnerr'
e Rap, RAP! rap! at the door. A scream
of delight followed up its opening.
: "Oh, mOlherI mother, come and look!
= here's a real tree, Christmas-tree, and Q
a big basket! See here, Benz" as another
little boy came to the door. "Bring them
n in. See, it is really for US. Here's mother:
= name on the cover OF the basket! Oh, see
: what big turkey, and pies, and-oh, here's
: oysters! OH oh! oh! and here's lots o
n things on the tree, doll! that must De fnl
e Jenny. Oh, wish she'd come in! Oh
;; IN ther, here's gOld-piece in this little
Il boyI''
/, MAY God bless the kind heart that think
c of the poor in this happy season!" said thI
= widow, ferveitly; and the door was closed
n none OF the happy party Seeing three fig
ures standing back in the dark entry, look
IT ing at the joy they had given.
S "Ilere comes james again with Mis-
d Mason's basket" said Effie. That's OIL
s the next floor. Come, James!'
IT Here again. reader, we will peep in be
d fore our generous party.
N On low mattress, laid upon the floor
r lies young girl wasting with consump
n tiun. Her sister sits beside her, plyin,
her Ecedle; and on the floor beside the can
=; die IS li'llc girl. also sewing.
,f "Aary,'' said the invalid, "do put b,
1. work for a little time 1t is Christina
i. Eve; surely you may rest a few minutes.
IS Rap! rap! raa!
i Mry opened he door, and then gave
i cry of delight.
- "Oh, Lizzie, come here, and help m
III carry in these things! They are marke
re with our name This little tree must b
: for you; and here is large basket"
= Lizzie assisted in bringing ,hem in; and
Of while she danced with true childish de
e; light aroun1 the trees, the olderesister
er opened the basket.
ny "a turkey, pies, and oysters for you, dea
e. Jessie, our Christmas dinner; and here's
bottle of wine, and oranges, and whit
81 grapes, and this little box-ten dolars.-
nd Oh, Jessie! who can have sent them!"
iy Goods blessing 60 with the giverl
g, said the invalid, softly. SHOW you ma
be rest On Christmas Day. How long tn
er basket will last US! Mary, dear, you forge
er to close the door" And ag lin three watcl
y ers were shut out
Sc We have no. room 10 follow in Ellie
p- footsteps that happy evening. Here ,her
in, was ar aiIing baby relieved by a generol
- gift Ct money to pay doctor; here who
7 l party Of children made joyful; in anoth'
res place, studious boy was made happy f
lily months by judcousIy selected books; al
in one place poor, chidess wild Nv had 4;
order for groceries enough 10 las, a who
fife year, beside her Christmas dinner.
te- AT about ten o'clock, Effie, Claire, al
ar Carrie came home again as tired and hapI
Dry a trio as were in that city on Christm
fife Eve, 1854.
pit The next morning, Clarence came in
1ns his sisters room. "Effie," he said "Gera