The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-03-13
@iScellanp.
ALLEGES GIFT.
A New Years story.
Nsw Years Day

Little klice Sherman tripped down the broad
sfsps that fronted her fathers elegant city resi-
dence. She was eight years old. with o sweet,
childish face, glowing with eager delight, for
there was great Joy in anticipation ter her. In
brilliant shsp not far away. there was splen-
did doll, as large a. email baby, dressed ia a
fashionable b'ue silk, trimmed with lace, and a
bosnet Of the latest style This peerless creature
Nth eyes that actually moved, was to be had for
ten dollars. 1t had been promised her for New
Years present; but her mother had been unwsll
and unable to go out for it the day previous, and
70 Alice, on New Years morning, was intrusted
with ten dollar bill, and was to 20 and pur-
chase it herself This she enjoyed as much as
anything, and felt Consciousness Of her own
importance in having SO large sum to spend.
She could not help thinking how the new doll
would DO admired by all her juvenile oompan-
ions. She meant TO invite some Of them in the
nsHt day expressly to admire her purchase. n ,ll
kSoA Alice trippsd happily along, holding the
I'LL tightly in her right hand e" U@t
Az she was turning street corner her atten-
ton was attracted by low sob.
Looking down she saw boy apparently twelve
years of age, sitting doorstep, crying quiet
y. He was poorly dressed. His knees were
patched and his feet were bare, while his brown
hair escaped through the visor of his cap.
Now Alice had warm and generous heart,
full Of active sympathy for pain or sorrow, and
che instinctively stopped and asked:
''What is the matter 7" 0R
There were others who had passed, contenting
themselves with glance at the boy, but feeling
that his sorrow was nothiag to them.
On hearing the question, the boy lifted his
tear.stsined face and seeing the sympathy ex-
pressed in the little girls countensnce, felt his
heart open to her.
"My mether is turned into the street, he said,
''and she is sick. / am afraid it will make her
VERSE;"
"Turned into the street y repeated Alice, be-
wildered. "What is that for ?"
"She can't pay her rent and the landlord won't
let her stay"
'Cant she hire anot' n house2"
"The new landlord would find cut that she
had not paid her rent. Besides she is too sick
TO move"
"Whst An awful man the landlord must be -
said Alice warmly. II suppose your mother is
Fpor." w &F
J.Yes, she is; but sell papers, and we got
along pretty we'll till month ago, when was
taken sick for a fortnight. and then, as 1 could
A'tearn anything, we got behind. II it hadn't
been for that, cosld have paid the rent"
80, dear me! I'm 80 sorry" said Alice Il
suppose it's great deal that you owe. Is it as
much fifty dollars ?"
FIFTY dollars! o. no; we can't afford to pay
such rent as that. It is only snail sum, but
IT'S more taan we San pay"
show much is it ?"
six dolars!"
'Only six dollars! " exclaimed Alice in sur.
prise. "Why Mary Consnts father pays Two
hundred dollars month rent"
"rhat's for nice large house Mother and I
only have two little rooms in the fourth story of
tenement house. Six dollars Is enough for
such place"
"l'm sorry you have to live in such place."
said Alice, pityingly.
80, don't mind that But it's hard to 10 out
into the street such weather this" f@
Just then an idea suggested itself to Alice.
The rent was only six dollars, and she had ten.
Suppose she gave it TO the boy Then his moth
could pay tho rent and would not be obliged to
be turned out into the street.
But then the doll! The beautiful, elegantly
dressed doll, with eyes that moved She seemed
to see it before her in all its spiendor. How
could she give it up? Alice was good warm
hearted girl but her heart srnote her a. she
thought of losing it.
But after all how could she enjoy it when she
thought of this boys poor sck mother turned in
to the street, perhaps to die, when she might
have prevented it?
~ shouldn't care about the doll after that
thought Alice.
Her determination was quickly formed. She
would give it up. The boy should have all the
money
Here" she said impulsively, 'taks this. 1t
will pay your rent"
The boy took it mechanically As he saw what
It was, his eyes lighted up with joy mingled with
doubt.
"Its ten dollars" he said.
''Yes," said Alice" l meant to buy doll with
it-such u beautiful doll, and she half sighed
~ she though. of what she had renowned, "but
I'D rather your mother would have the money
can do without the doll"
"How kind you are !" replied the boy grateful
doll" '' ''"' '0N gave ~ '"e
20, shant mind it,
81 wouldn't take it lift wasn't for my mother
said he
stake it tor her sake them" said Alice every |
moment caring less and less for the doll.
"But only need six dollars will get the
bill changed and give you the rest" |
mo keep it all, don't need tho rest If your
mother is sick, you can buy some nice things for
her" ~-.
How good you are Will You tell me your
name
Alice Shermau.' fsA
will .sll mother who it is that has been 10
kind to her. I
The boy rose, and with tears dried, and much .
happier look. he went down the street As for !
Alice, she had nothing to do now but to return .
home. She had no money 10 spend. But acme
how she felt happier than il she hnd been rcturn-
ing with the doll.
At dinner her father asked her:
Where Is your doll, Alicef You haven't |
shown it 10 me yet
! ddnt buy it, papa sdd Aloe uh~ngug
color. s
Didn't buy 81 he rp,patcd in an rprse E;5n', |