The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-01-11
A BEAUTIFUL INCIDENT.

No one can read the following beautiful
incident, without feeling warm glow of ad-
miration for the lovely trait of character ex-
hibited by VIM. Lent, the great California
millionaire Banker. What a ruddy stream
of pleasure must have flooded in upon the
souls Of those ragged, forsaken little children
as this unexpected Santa Claus dispensed his
gifts among them, accustomed as they were
to SCOTS and frowns, instead of smiles and
good cheer. And how sweetly and calmly
the incense of the heartfelt prayer of those
happy little hearts. of "God bless you," min
gled with the dreams of that rich man, as he
laid himself down on his couch at night y
Five hundred little hearts, in the process of
hardening and becoming callous, by associa-
ton with crime and poverty, to have the we'll
springs Of joy thus suddenly touched, and a
volume Of strange delight-akin to the inspi-
ration of Heaven-to gush forth
7 We copy from the New York Sun, of the
29th:
Mr.. William Lent the greati Nlilhonaire Bank
er of San Francisco arrived in this city few
days ago visit and was cordially received
Wishing to see little of New York life under the
last and strolled into Grand street, attracted by
the crowd. Hewandered along eastward, LOST in
wonder, until his attention became attracted by
the wi.tful glances of group of ragged urchlns
who were GENEROUSLY contemplating the tempting
array of toys spread out 10 the bright glare of
H. H. ,nocA
len street. His heart was touched, and drawing
near unobserved, he stopped and listened.
The boys were descanting with earnestness on
the merits of the different articles exhibition,
and singing out with enthusiasm such toys as
they seyerally preferred There was q tone of
sadness in each tiny voice which told OF empty
purses at home and the condition that they were
never to be realized. Without word Mr. Lent
slip ned quickly past them into the store and pur-
chased every toy he had heard the children men
ton the group of waits meanwhile gazing at him
through the window with admiring eyes, When
he came out again his arms were full OF aythngs
He approached the astonished boys and handed
each the gun or drum or bugle, wagon, sleigh, or
hobby horse, which few moments before had
been the special object Of his unattainable ambl-
ton, Then leaving them in stupor over their
unexpected good fortune, he dashed into the
crowd and sauntered ON until he came upon an
other store, when he repeated his beautiful deed
Of Christian charity. ' -.
Grand street was full on saturday..night ofpov-
erty stricken little ones, drawing an additional
misery to their starved souls through greedy eyes
which appreciated with an intensity unknown to
wealthy boys the playthings intended only for
rich mems sons. From oae group to an other dId
the good representative of Santa Claus glide max
ing every childish heart overflow with delight
Five hundred dollars melted away between and
LIP. M, and Mr.. Lent's lastdolar would probably
have found its way into the pockets Of the store
keepers but for the small army which grew a. ms
hee IS ,camoring out fervently. 'sThank you sir
and Good bless you, sir p Unable to bear the
load of gratitude which was accommodating on his
shoulders, he hurried to the Bowery and took ref
| uge in passing car which bore him to his hotel
Hundreds of thank ful hearts will learn to day
for the first time the to their constant IL
curry, ssWho is he?" Mr.. Lent declares that 1t
was worth five times the amount expended to wit
ness the happiness reflected in the countenanees
Of the little boys. a3es