The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-01-05
B1DDEFoRD, Me- FRIDAY MORNING, JAN. 5, 1866.

filling with tears, 81 fear her heart is broken. '
And alter q pause she said: "a year ago-a
year ago-poor little Trot!"
"Trot,"l cried breathlcssly.
"My sisters only child who died on Christ
mas day, last year"
"Died?" said, my hopes sinking.
Burnt to death, she said, sadly. "We
had Christmas tree for the children in the
nursery. My sister had been n widow only
three months, Nd We had no holiday gathering
but we drest tree for the little ones and light
ed it on Christmas Eve. The next morning
they, the children we mean. were all in the
nursery, and we suppose one Of them tried u
light the tree. Certain it is that they set the
room on fire, and before We could save any thing
the whole house was in flames. All escaped
but my sisters child, her only one he perish.
oil in the fire."
"Are you certain ?"
"Where else could he be? My two little
brothers and my sister were saved with Difficult
ty, and the roof fell in while we were all fran.
tically searching and calling for Arthur, or, as
wo always called him, Trot. My sisters health
gave way entirely under this blow. She had
concentrated all the strength OF her love upon
this child after her husband died, and the loss
prostrated her utterly. We took her IN Eu'
rope; We have had the best advice for her, but
she is slowly dying of broken heart"
"It is from no impcrtiient curiosity" said
l., that | question you. Will you answer my
inquiries?"
We were speeding over the frozen grount
toward my home, as she answered.
Certainly"
"Ths little child-had he pet name 70,
your"
"Yes; my homo name. They all call IN,
Daisy, and he called mo Aunt Daisy"
"And your sisters names ure Mary and Sue
your brothers. Walter and Baby"
"Ycs, yes" she said. turning very pale.
"And frot's nurse, Ellen, did she go to Aus
tralia?"
"Yes. a year ago last fall. Your face is RI
diant Speak quickly-our lost boy"
We were ut my door her face was ashy
white with emotion. but she obeyed my motor
and let me lead her from the sleigh to my office
! made her sit down, and begun to explain
when" Uncle Charles come! Uncle Char
ley !" rang out from my pets voice, and Tro
burst into the room. Lillian rose to her fee
with wild cry of +" Trot! Arthur! darling!'
For moment ho stood bewildercd then
sudden rush Of memory came over the childisl
heart, and he sprang into her arms.
"Aunt Daisy Where's mamma | want tc
zee mamma! Quick quick! Uncle Charley
Aunt Daisy take me to mamma
For nearly three hours we rat in the little
office before Llian could tear herself away from
the child, but at last she let mo take her to th,
sleigh, consoling Trot by a promise that to
morrow he should see his mother.
left tho disclosure to her w0nanly tact
But on the morrow, when drove over with tn,
child. dressed in his black velvet suit. ALTERED
to fit him by Mrs. Watson's trembling finger
and moisteded am sure by many tears, iount
all prepared for the great joy.
Such Christmas never dawned for me. Il,
tell OF the gratitude of the pale widow, the JOY
OF the grandparents, the boisterous greeting
between the children, is beyond the power o
my pen.
or course the precise time and manner o
Arthur's escape from the house we could no
conjecture. The nurse was in the kitchel
nearly an hour when the alarm OF fire wa
given, and the flames had gained great head
way before they were discovered, the famil,
sitting room being on another floor, and som'
distance from the nursery. OF course the fear
less boy had left the house before the attemp
to light the tree was made, but the others, ab
sorbcd in Christmas delights, did not miss him
The distance from the house to the station WA
very short, and Ellen had gone to New Yorl
from the little village near which Mr.. Graham
house pas situated. The departure for Europ
and the certainty all fels for his fate. had pre-
vented any serach being made for the boy, ant
we presumed the railway officials supposed h
belonged to some party on the train.
Ii was glad day for all. for if | lost my lii
Ito treasure, won lrom Lillian tho right to
called in good truth Trot's Uncle Charley.