, 1859-12-23
CHRISTMAS.


peep at the hero and heroine Of my story. We
are in wide street, in large city, facing very
spacious and handsome house. Come in. We
pass through the wide hall, up broad staircase,
into large parlor, furnished with magnifcence.
Never mind we don't stop here. Pass on into q
boudoir on the same floor as the parlor; and now
we stop, for here are the objects Of our search.
It is cold evening in December; and large fire
burns in the open CRATE; the shaded lamps throw
subdued light upon the beautiful furniture,
glowing carpet, large mrror, and exquisite paint
fngs which are in this pretty place.
BY the fireplace, his arm resting upon the man
tepece, is the master Of the house, and the owner
of one Of the largest fortunes in this goOdy city
of -. He is young man in his twenty
fillh year, a bachelor, and much courted by the
maidens on account Of his gentle birth, hand
some face, gentlemanly manners, and large for
tune He is tall, and finely proportioned, has q
frank and manly face, large dark eyes, dark brown
curling hair, regular features, beautiful smile,
and an erect, graceful carriage; altogether Clar-
ence Hamilton is a very nice young man, gen.
erOus, intellectual high principled, and gentle as
q woman to his sister, his nearest, dearest rela-
tive, for he is an orphan. Seated in q deep Grim
son-covered armchair, and looking up into Clar-
ences face, is that same sister. She is dress
ed in full evening costume; pale blue silk, cut
low, shows snowy neck and arm; the lace
nOunces are gathered up in one little hand re-
vealing dainty little foot, with nicely fitting
satin slipper; the broad sash encircles most
charming waist the pearl ornaments might be
env.ous Of the whiteness Of the complexion they
rival and the gold bracelets on her round arms
are scarcely brighter than the long curls falling
in sach rich protusiOn on her shoulders.
Her features are regular, her eyes large and
dark like her brother 5; and she has also his
beautiful smile; but her tiny, perfect figure looks
quite fary.like when contrasted with his six feet
Of stature. "Claire," she said, looking up at him
with sweet winning smile, 81 executed all your
commissions this morning."
"Yes. Have you bought presents for all my
cousinsy"
"All. And have bought all the iewelry and
fincry intend to present to my dear friends and
relations, next week. What is the use Of present
giving at Christmas?"
at promotes good feeling"
"Doas It make anybody love usH o, Claire,
have iet 50 lonely this Cven,ngl Everybody
was clust, ring round me, making pretty speeches,
and ilatteriug me; anl / knew all the time
il was only my money they courted. Money
money! DOyou suppose Aunt Miriam would be
50 V>ry urgent, and press me so earnestly to
spend the day with her and my cousins on We'd
nesday, iG were pOorg Why doesn't she invite
her husbands cousins, the MorTises? They are
prettier than am. Anna is perfectly superb, in
spite Of her plain dress; and Robert is very fine
looking. Now they want good dinner; but she
dOesen't ask them. No; she wants me; and
won't 60"
"Won't goH"
"No; mean to eat my dinner here; and l
invite you to be my guest"
"And accept the invitation. We will cut
all our fine relations, and cat dinner alone. Oh,
there is one person should like to invite, Ger
aid Hastings! Have you any objections, petite
SGur"
"None."
The girls brow, neck, and face were crimson
for moment; then the blush faded again.
"As you say about the Morrises, my clerk
rants good dinner. He's . fine fellow. Pity
he's so poor But he'll make his way in the
world. There's energy in his voice, resolution in
his eye, firmness in his gait, manliness in every
action. He's fine fellow. Little sister"-and
Clarence bent on her searching glance" don't
you think sOI"
ayes"
The answer came low and sweet.
al intend putting hundred dollar bill in an
envelope, and sending it anonymously to hun at
Christmas. Do you approve, EHe"
"Yes. Oh, Claire, how much good you do
with your money at Christmas and have been
wasting so much in buying presents for people
who do not really need anything l give them.
It is such bitter weather, and so many people
need comforts; and buying jewelry for folks that
would not speak to me, If were poor, seems so
foolish"
"Don't you subscribe to Dorcas societies, and
coal and blanket committees, and all that sort Of
thingH"
"Yes; but want to do something myself
Il Is very easy to put ones name down for sun
Of money on paper, and pay It when it is called
e., I In, nf I nha
committee take care Of it. want to do some
thing myself | want to give something to make
Christmas merry to all the poor folks in the city"
"YOu can't very well do that"
%NOl Oh, ClRirel Claire lhave an ideal"
And the fairy sprang up from her chair, and be
gan dancing round her brother
What is it iairyr" he asked, smiling at her
excitement
"shant tell only want whole lot of my
money, Claire"
"My money! How Independent we are, all
at once. How much Of your money do you
wantI"
"Oh, five or six hundred dollars! l don't
know exactly how much"
"Five hundred dollars! Suppose won't let
you have itP"
but you will" said EfIie, cOaxingly; you
will won't your"
The little clock on the mantel chimed One!
twOl three
Time you were in bed, petite seur," said
Clarence. Come, kiss me goodnight; and We
will talk over this expensive scheme Of yours TO-
morrow"
Effie sprang into her brothers arms received
his goodnight kiss, and then tripPed into her
room. Clarence, in q few moments, followed her
example.
In small room, in q house situated in the
suburbs Of the city, there sat young man at
his desk writing. The room is poorly furnished;
and one candle throws light upon his paper He
is shandsome in the Italian style, dark complexion,
large black eyes, rich jetty hair; his figure is
fine; but there is gloom over all that does moi