The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-05-27


house was In flames. All escaped but
my sisters child, her only one; he
perlshed In the fire."
Are you certain Y"
Where else could he be MY two
little brothers and my sister were saved
with difficulty, and the roof fell In
while we were frantically searching and
calling for Arthur, or, as we always
called him, Trot. My sisters health
gave way entirely under his blow. She
had concentrated all the strength of her
love upon this child after her husband
died, and the loss prostrated her utterly.
We took her to Europe; we had the best
advice for her, but she is slowly dying
of broken heart"
is from no impertinent curiosity"
l said, " that question you. viii you
answer my inquiries ?"
We were speeding over the frozen
ground toward my home, as she an
swered-
Certainly"
This little child-he had pet name
for you 7"
Yes my home name. They all call
me Daisy, and he called me Aunt
Daisy Y''
"And your sisters names are Mary
and Sue, you brothers. Walter and
Bady."
Yes, yes" she said, turning very
pale.
"And Trot's nurse, Ellen, did she go
TO Australia 2"
Yes, a year ago last fall. Your face
is radiantl Speak quickly our lost
boyl'
We were at my door; her face was
ashy white with emotion, but she obey
ed my motion, and let me lead her from
the sleigh to my office. made her sit
down, and began to explain, when
"Uncle Charley's come Uncle Charleyl''
rang out from my pets voice, and Trot
burst into the room. Lillian rose to her
feet with wild cry of "Trot Arthur
darlingl"
For moment he stood bewildered;
then sudden rush of memory came
over the childish heart, and he sprang
into her arms.
Aunt Daisy Where's mamma
want mamma Quick quick Uncle
Charley, Aunt Daisy, take me to man.
ma |"
For nearly three hours we sat in the
little office before Lillian could tear her.
herself away from the child, but at last
she let me take her to the sleigh, consol-
ing Trot by promise that tomorrow
he should see his mother.
left the disclosure to her womanIy
tact. But, on the morrow, when 1 drove
over with the child dressed in his black
velvet suit, altered to fit him by Mrs.
Watson's trembling fingers, and mois-
tened am sure by many tears, found
all prepared for the great joy.
Such a Christmas never dawned for
me. To tell of the gratitude of the pale
widow, the joy of the grandparents, the
boisteIous greeting between the children,
is beyond the power of my pen.
OF course the precise time and manner
of Arthur's escape from the house we
could only conjecture. The nurse was
| in the kitchen nearly al hour when the
alarm of fire was given, and the flames
had gained great headway before they
were discovered, the family sitting room
being on a different floor, and some dis
tance from the nursery. OF course the
fearless boy had left the house before the
attempt to light the tree was made, but
the Others, absorbed in Christmas de-
lights did not miss him. The distance
from the house TO the station was very
short, and Ellen had gone to New York
from the little village near which Mr..
Graham's house was situated. The de-
parture for Europe, and the certainty all
felt of his fate, had prevented any
search being made for the boy, and we
| presumed the railway officials sup
posed he belonged to some party on
the train.
1t was glad day for all; for if lost
my little treasure, won from Lillian
the right to be called in good truth
Trot's Uncle Charley.
|