Litchfield enquirer., 1863-12-31
Alisfellal,p.
From 0odsg's Lady's Book. A New Fear's Story
BY orr WHO VAS N IT.
UNCLE cHAaL1r's xrDDLr.


 UNCLE cHAaLrr,s sxrDDIr.
 Hove the country not in the spring-sims only, and the summer, but all the year round. People talk of the sombre air of autumn, and the sad thoughts it brings; when the fallen leaves strew the ground. and the trees. glori- ously beautiful in their decay. stand ready to rain down more leafy showers of many hues., And they tell you of the dreary winter, when the husset of the dried leaves and grass min gles with the snow, and the bare trees stand, like spectres. s e.z ss
 But there is more of sadness, and quite as much to 8. ggest melancholy. thought in the long rows of houses in . city street. You have sort of companionship with the trees. and feel at home with them and the quiet life of the farm yard seems to offer you the freedom of the place. But tho stately city walls, the endless rows of bricks, the closed or closely-draped windows, inviting, yet rspelling entrance, create feeling of solitude among living thousands, deeper than one knows, in the free air of the countryside. With every man you meet. whether you know him or not, you have. in the green lanes, a nod, or passing word. Even the kinc, and the sober country horses, as they graze, look up at you with si- lent Good speed r But, in the crowded town, each man is too earnest in the battle Cf life; each woman too busy with her own thoughts to give stranger even look. to say nothing of a gesture which might indicate . wish for any acquaintance, or the betrayal of the slightest interest iu you. There is no lone. Illness like the solitude of stranger among the busy thousands in the crowded town.
 So felt Charles Merill-Cncle Charlis-as he threaded his way through the city on New Years day. many years ago. to pay his inva ria5e visit at his brothers house. Uncle Charlie loves the country as dearly as I do. He was. at the time of which I write. a coun- try gentleman, we'll to do, with all the refine ment of education, and the true polish of Chris tian courtezy. You would kEow him anywhere for man who could be trus ted. Iua crowd he Was the man whom You would single out, ifyou wished to ask question. And still he was just the person whom an imposter would avoid. N body tried him with tales offegued distress. Nobody offered him gilt watches as gold, with which the owner was compelled to part. No "con6deuce-man'' approached him, for there was something ia his clear gray eye which told you that he could see through the arch device, conceal it never so wisely The honest applicant, in real need, never failed to address him, and was seldom disappointed for Uncle Charlie had that species of free-ma- sonry which honesty establishes among honest people.
 So it was no woncer that . little girl, scanti- ly clad. but very neat. timidly approached him, and touched bis arm. She had been repulsed many times on that New Years morning sometimes by those who rudely scolded or curt ly answered her, sometimes by others who rendered her small money to escape he, importantly. She held handful of small coin, as ifshe really did not know what to Go with it. how she came by it, or why people gave it 10 her. Uncle Charlie looked intently at her face, and then at her blue arms and fingers, which trembled with the cold, as in one hand she held her money, and with the other drew her thin shawl about her.
 Why, child,' he said, with a smile the least shade satirical. you should hide that money in your pocket, before you ask for more. There is more in your hand already than two or three pennies to buy loaf of bread Poor child ? he added, in kinder tone. perhaps, as you have little use for pocket, you indulge in no unnecessary luxuries.'
 T did not ask you for money said the girl. l And I did not ask those who gave me this. My mother did not send me out to beg, and we have loaf of bread for to-dsy, and one for to- morrow
 We'll, then, what is it ?
 T wish somebody in all this great city to go and see my mother, for she told me to-day that she had not friend in the world r
 And you could not find friend in all this great city, and so have taken me who come here stranger. Why, little one. you don't think to take me in-me, right sharp man, just from the Jerseys.'
 Oh, sir, don't tease me, please. Dontjoke with me. for am quite ready to cry. know you are kind hearted man, whatever you may pretend
 Uncle Charities first thougAs was to shake her of. He read the newspapers, and knew all abont the tricks which are played in tho cities upon innocent travellers. The little girl still stood shiver;ng by his side. Shs waited his decision without saying another word but her eager eyes furtively scanned the passing crowd, as if looking for some one else whom she might accost. Uncle Charlie put his hand iL his pocket
 l Nov don't do that, for will nos take youl money
 I We'll, you are . strange'- began, he va, going to say, but he thought better oft. sGs