, 1859-12-23

EGluSCu yOuE OuGT. nave u CeTk pluCC III LHS
establishment Of one Of our wealthiest men, a
for the debts incurred by my poor father, which
l will pay-I should be on my present salary
above want; and if ] stay here my income will
increase, know; and shall do we'll You ask
why do not stayP I, poor and in debt, have
been mad enough to fall in love; and, not only
that but the object Of my love is rich, very rich
the only sister Of my employer Beautiful, pi.
quaint, generous, good, my idol is all a mans
heart could desire to fill It. By the kind hospi-
tality of her brother, am often thrown in her
way; and each time strengthens my love- Oh,
Efie Efie there, won't bore you with rhap-
sodiesl Suffice it that love without shadow
Of hope. She is always kind, gentle to me but
Of course, in her station, with her beauty and
wealth, she can command any match, and would
despise me as q tortune-hunter were to breathe
my love. Am not poorH Oh, that we could
change places Then l could seek her love,
and prove how true is my own. | cannot stay
here; the restraint upon my heart, feeling, and
action is too great. lmustleave the place, where,
constantly SEEING may never speak my love to
her. II come near her again, my heart may
speak, in spite Of myself; and, for my presump-
ton, may lose my greatest treasure now, her
friendship In few days will write to you
again, and tell you Of my plans more definitely.
Perhaps shall come to you; most likely shall.
My year at my present place expires at Christ.
mas. Then shall conclude finally upon some
plan. Now, good night
Truly yours, GERALD HASTINGS"
Christmas was drawing near; and Efie Ham,
ilton was very busy with many mysterious pre-
paratiOns. There were, in Clarence's house, two
large vacant third story rooms, unfurnished.
For several days Efie had shut herself up in
these rooms, excepting when out and the result
Of her missions was Q great number Of small
packages, baskets, and bundles, which were I'll
carried by direction to the third story chambers.
At length the day before Christmas arrived.
Clarence came home to dinner about two o'clock
and Ettie won from him q promise to stay at
home, and aid her the rest Of the day. Now,
Claire" she said, seating herself on his knee
after dinner, 81 want TO tell you what l have
been doing all this week. In the first place, l
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 then all the particulars; then
there's ring at the bell It's Caroline, know.
She promised to come, this afternoon, and help
me-"
The door opened, and very pretty brunette
entered. Her plain street dress only heightened
her charms and the rich color brough into her
cheeks by exercise added to her beauty. Eftie
took of her things; Clarence set chair for her
and then the three sat down for . sociable chat
"How do your preparations progress, Miss
HamiltOni" inquired Caroline.
"Famously, Carrie. Drop that Mis-. am
Eifie to my friends. But come, as soon as you
are rested from your walk, we will go up stairs,
and will show you ell my preparations"
I" am rested, said Caroline, leaving her chair.
"Come, then. | will lead the way. Claire,
take care Of Carrie" And Efie went swiftly
up the stairs, unlocked and threw open the door
Of the mysterious room.
Clarence looked into il 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, bon-bOns,
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. ThOm.
as, poor washerwoman with three children, y
she said. 1.-THE basket contains turkey, you
see, two pies, peck Of potatoes, some currant
Jelly in jar, and, in this tightly covered kettle,
some oysters That is for the Christmas dinner.
At the bottom Of the basket there is box con.
tanning five dollar gold piece; that"-and abe
covered the basket" is the widows own share.
This tree, you see, has horse, and drum, and
other toys for the two little boys, doll.baby
and work-box for the little girl and candies,
cakes, and bon-bons for all. All the baskets are
alike, excepting that some contain wine and in
valids' food, extra, for the places where there
arc sick. The trees vary according to the ages
of the children. Have done right, ClAirei"
"Yes, little sunbeam"
"Now, Claire, as soon as It is dark there will be
furniture-car at the door to carry all these things
to their respective destinations Carrie and are
going with it to take sly eep at some Of the
children. VIII you come"
"Indeed viii You stay here while order
the carriage. We can get out ct the corners oi
the Streets"
Just about dusk, there stopped, at the corner
Of little court near - street, large furniture
car and carriage Two men got down from the
first gentleman and two plainly clad ladies from
the second
"James," said Efie, " you are to take this bas
ket" And she indicated one in the car. And,
Claire, will you take the treel Ii is not heavy
"Mother," said a little boy, leaning his head
against his mothers knee, OmorrOw is Christ
mas Day; and we won't have any presents Don't
you wish we were rich and had big room-this
one is so little-and had some money to buy a
Christmas dinnerS"
Rapi rapl rap! at the door. A scream Of de-
light followed its opening.
"0h, mother motherl come and look here's
a real tree, Christmas tree, and big basket
See here, Benl" as another little 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's oystersl OIL OH obi and here's lots oi
things on the tree; q doll! that must be for Jen-
ny. On, wish she'd come inl Oh, mother,
here's gold.piece in this little box"
"May God bless the kind heart that thinks ol
the poor in this happy season." said the widow,
fervently; and the door was closed, none Of the
happy party seeing three figures standing back
in the dark entry, looking at the joy they had
given.
"Here comes James again with Miss Mason's
basket" said Ellie. That's on the next floor.