The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-31
THE DAILY STAR
UNCLE BEN'S GIFT.
A Christmas Story.

"Never mind, SUSIE" said Nat, as he
saw she was about to express her indig
nation, Il want to 60, for / can buy YOU
doll, you know"
She threw her arms around his neck
and kissed him, in spite Of her mothers
quick command to "keep away from thai
boy."
No one, seeing Charles and Nat walk
ngalong the street, would have supposed
them to be acquaintances, much less rel
atives. Charles, dressed in fine cloth
and velvet and muffled up in furs, and
Nat, with faded, patched trowsers and
one of Henry's cast-off overcoats, much
too small for him, and exposing his neck
and breast to the keen air. But, with
his hands in his pockets, to keep them
warm, Matte trudged along, not thinking
of his dress, but Uncle Ben, and his kind
ness to him. He felt sure that this uncle
must be like his own father, and he longed
to see him and tell him how grateful he
felt. Just as they turned the corner OF
one of the principal streets Charles
heard some one call him, and turning
round, saw some of his school compan-
ions Just stepping into his mothers
carriage, standing in front of pastry
cooks.
."Come, get in with us, Charles" he
nied; eve are going to the Bazar."
"Just where was going" said
Charles, and without word to Nat, or
thought of him even, he sprang into
he carriage, delighted to have this
opportunity, to display his rich purse.
The carriage drove off, and Nat was left
standing alone. For an instant he cast
wishful gaze after the splendid equi.
page, and then he thought of Susie, and
hurried on to find toy-shop. ....
Entering the first one he came to, he
elected a doll, and then bought three
nice books for his other cousins With
his package under his arm, he left the
shop thinking he would go around and
look at the pretty things displayed in
the windows. Attracted by some fine
pictures, and his glance at the same mo-
ment fell upon girl Of about his own
age, who was standing looking, oh, so
wistfully at all the beautiful objects in
the window! Her dress was very poor,
and her bare feet were blue and swollen.
'Poor grip exclaimed Nat.
She lifted her eyes to his face, and he
thought he had never seen anything so
sad as the look she gave him.
"Why don't you wear shoes and stock
ings% asked Nat, in kind tone.
~ haven't got any" she answered,
"and mother is sick and can't work to
buy me any," -,
"You must be dreadfully cold" said
Nat, "but come with me and I will buy
YOU some shoes and stockings"
At the girl seemed to hesitate to ae-
cept his kind proposition, he drew out
his purse and showed it to her, saying:
"You see l have got plenty of money !;
it's all mine, and Uncle Ben said l was
to use it just as pleased. So come
along"
Ali his timidity and shyness had sud-
denly vanished, and taking the ragged
child by the hand, he walked off with
her with a manly air which caused
more than one person to turn
and look at him second time.
He soon found the shops he want
ed, and in a very few minutes he saw
with delight the frost-bitten feet covered
with warm stockings and shoes, a thick
shawl over the shivering shoulders and a
snug hood protecting the head of the
amazed girl.
"Ohw she exclaimed, "mother said
Santa Claus had forgotten us, and would
never come to us again, but l am sure
you are as good as Santa Claus, and you
must come and see mother"
This Nat was willing to do, for he had a
sudden curiosity to see how the girl
lived who was 50 poorly clothed. But
when, after walk of half mile, they
came to the wretched place she called
home, and entering, he saw the squalid
poverty Of everything, and the sick
mother lying on pallet Of straw with
no blanket to cover her, and no fire in
the room, he was too much shocked tc
speak or to heed the thanks which the
poor woman showered upon him when
her little girl told what he had done
Recovering after moment, he remem
bered that he had it in his power to make
that place a little less wretched, and
almost like a man, he said few kind
words to the woman, and promising tt
to come back soon, hastily left the room
and rushed around to different places
until he had bought wood and coal and
food and a couple of warm blankets fol
his new acquaintances; he only stopped
making purchases when he found be
had exhausted the contents of his purse
But he had never in his life felt so happy
as when he saw bright fire blazing OF
that poor woman's hearth, and she and
the little girl eating good, hearty meal
II was better than any Christmas gift
that any one could have made him, and
again he felt thankful. to Uncle Ben
whose generosity had afforded him sucl
pleasure. But it was getting late, anC
he knewhis aunt would be displeased Al
him for staying out so long. He there
fore took his leave of the poor woman
who almost overwhelmed him witt
thanks, and running down the stairs HI
was hurrying along the street, when HI
heard hasty steps behind him, and turn