Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-07-01
GIT MIGHT HAVE BEEN.o

Twas horribly lonesome. What could
I do With myself? It is only about
Christmas time that the responsibility of
my individuality hangs heavily upon
me: my business engrosses me for the
most part; for [ had been more sue
cessful IN money matters than In any
other interest III life. But now the
holidays were here. Everything in my
neat chambers were orderly and COM
Portable; and [ had real satisfaction
in the feeling that they belonged to
me. But how lonesome they were. A
fellow just passed my window with a
covered basket on one arm, and on
the other 6 happy looking woman chat
tering ga3ly as she walked. Well, [
might nave had wife, if it had not
been for Charley's perfidy-yes, and
Emma's too, for suppose she was as
much to blame as he was.
[ wonder if either of them were to
blame? Love goes where it is sent,
they say, and [ really suppose they
could not help loving each other. Poor
Emma! Proud, splendid woman; [
should Ike to know what her fate has
been. L seems strange that I have
never heard one word from them since
that Christmas eve on which they
eloped. She was to have married me
before another Christmas, but Charley
4
and there were such brilliant indica-
tons of genius about him: Strange
that they have not been realized; and
surely they have not, or should have
heard. O, if I could only see them
again. I had forgiven them both be-
fore the expiration of the first year, in
my anxiety about them; for how could
I forget the charge of my dying
mother? "Take him, Paul." she said,
"be good, and tender, and true to him
all the days of your life. No matter
with what lngratitude he may repay
your kindness-forgive him not only
seven times but seventy times seven.
Be to him more than brother, my
trusted child; I'll my vacant place for
him. Say to YOURSELF will be true
there is no crime on earth that would
cause my mother to cast one of her
children out. The more abandoned,
the more wretched they become, the
more my affection shall comfort and
solace them; until, at last, with pa
thence that never wearies, and zeal
that never flags, and a love whose
strong wings bear all burdens upward,
I will land them within the portals of
that eternal home where sin and sorrow
can cone no more forever"
And now four years had slipped down
the thread Of time, each adding to my
anxiety, until I felt that [ would gladly
give ali my accumulated wealth for the
sight OF their dear faces once more.
viii get away from these torturing
thoughts, [ said will go out and seek
some adventure, praying my good spirit
to lead ne where [ can make Christ
mas for somebody though I may not
have one for myself. I put on my
wraps and started. The streets were
thronged; how brilliantly the lights
shone and what an array of Christmas
cheer they illumined. And then to see
the toys-O, If had only child to
make happy with gift. Why, here is
a whole bevy Of ragged little urchins,
shivering around pastry cooks win
dow. Now, good spirits, whose duty
1t Is to inspire us to generosity, I shall
commit no act of disinterested benevo-
lence tonight; but will make these
youngsters happy if you will grant me
some reasonable recompense. So I
called them IN, and bought as they
directed. They were SO engrossed and
SO joyful that they forgot to thank me,
and departed with arms full of good
things for their different homes. But
when they were gone the old lonely
feeling returned to me, and thought
uncomfortably of my bachelor Christ
mas again.
I passed the next day somehow. I
gave a good deal to friendless little
ones on the street-God's children
still holding firmly by my compact with
my spirit friends, and asking frankly
for reimbursement. Why not? Have
not we the promise that if we cast our
bread upon the waters, after many days
1t will return to US?
On Christmas morning as [ passed
out OF my door, found child sitting
quietly on the steps eating bunch Of
raislns. He looked hearty and com
fortably though poorly clad, that at
first l thought he must belong to some
of the neighbors But no. [ had look
ed at all OF these longingly and SO ten
derby, I knew them as well as if they
had been my own. Thoughtful speak
o him.