The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1878-12-12

possessed, and dying, left his two chill
dren, Mary and Albert, almost PENN
less. Shortly after his death, Mary
married Mr.. Hall. and her brother
started for the gold fields of California,
and, although she had written numerous
letters to him, she had never received
any word from him, and she had long
since given him up for dead.
Christmas morning dawned clear and
beautiful. Inside Jack Frost had fres-
coed gorgeously the windows; while
outdoors the earth was clothed with it's
pure white blanket of snow. Little
Harry Hall rose early, and, kindling the
fire, soon had the kettle singing merrily.
Then, after placing two bowls on the
little pine table, putting the milk to
warm in pan on the stove, and getting
the corn bread and salt from the cup
board, he went to the door of his
mothers room, and, knocking gently. he
cried:
Merry Christmas, mamma. Break
fast is ready"
Breakfast reaay! I wonder how MANY
OF the children who read this
story ever sit down to such o scanty
breakfast as that None. I sincerely
hope. After breakfast Mrs. HAIL gave
Harry the sewing, who, after kissing
his mother good-by, started Off He
was not long in reaching Mrs. Bells.
who paid him for the work and cave
him, besides, a beautiful red apple,
which Harry put i'm his pocket to, keep
for his mother, and then started ioy-
fully to the store to purchase his Christ
mas present. Mrs. Bell had paid him
fifty cents, and accordingly twenty-five
cents was his. He had already made
up his mind what he should buy. And
what do you think it was? A pain of
warm mittens for bis mother. He
newer once thought OF himself, nor how
cold his own fingers we're; but he re-
membered how red his mothers looked
when she came home from her errands,
AS he entered the shop a gentleman
stood talking with the storekeeper: but
as HARRY drew near the counter he.
ceased, while he was being waited on.
Harry timidly asked if he had any
twenty-five cent mittsns. The shop
keeper said no." but, struck by the look
OF dlseppolntment on the boys face.
added:
Lse5 me see. WelA here is a pair
with small hole il one of them which
you can have for that; your mother can.
easily darn it,"
Harry thanked him, and, handing hinnl
the money, went out As he reached
the street he was startled by feeling q.
hand laid on his shoulder, and, turning,
saw before him the gentleman he had
LETT standing in the store, who. putting.
his hand on his head and looking into.
his eyes, said kindly:
ME lad, Will you tellne your name %"
harry answered, politely:
My name is Harry HALL"
At the name the gentleman started,
his hand fell from the boys head, and
he asked hurriedly:
is your mother living, nv child?"
"Sha is, sir" answered Harry, "bph.
my father is dead"
The gentleman then asked Harry to
lead h5na to his home. Harry did so,.
and On the way the gentleman told
Harry he was his long-lbst uncle. Mrs.
Hall was' watching for Harry, and was,
much surprised to sae hin with q.
stranger, but when they reached the
door and the supposed stranger spoke,
saying, Do you not know me, Mary ?'''
she nAsded nothing mere to tell her that
1t was >her brother, returned at last.
Surely 1t was joyous Christmas for
the Halls In the evening Harry's I'M
Gle stated to them tbs story of his adj
ventures. How he had never gone to
Callfoanla, but went toosea instead how
he had written to his sister, but had
never 1eoeived anything from her. And
lastly, that he had prospered, and. was
rich, and that he had purchased, their
dear ald home, which. he had found, on
visiting 1t, was for sale, and how he had
almost despaired of finding his, sister,
whom cha11ce, at last threw in his way.
BY New Years Harry was in his new
nome; and you may be sure he did not
want Tor presents. And he never forgot
the poor He had tasted the cup off
poverty, and knew it's bitterness. He
Woaald spread befonr them all the pocket
money given him. by his uncle; and
here, with the wish that his Caristmases,
may be merry and many, We will leave,
him.
/ AnecdOte OF President Lincoln. "