The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-01-01
THE DAILY STAR
lJNCEE BEN'S GIFT.
A Christmas Story.

HShs hAAse VIVIAN Ss~o
astW
Poor little Susie made gesture of
entreaty towards Albert, and Nat heard
her sob as the door closed upon her.
"Now, sir" said his uncle, "are you
going to confess your crime or must |
send for policeman to arrest your
Still thinking Albert would surely
speak before allowing his father to 60 to
extremes, Nat contented himself with
again denying that he took the money.
"Listen, sir" said his uncle, "you were
alone in the room. Henry saw you just
leaving the wardrobe. There can be no
doubt that, not satisfied with your own
share of Uncle Ben's gift, you basely
stole Henry's. Now, sir, take your choice;
return the money at once, and your pun
isbment shall be light one; persist in
your denial, and l will send for war
rant and have you arrested. Speak;
which shall it hep
81 can not return what l never took, "
said Nat, quietly, though his voice trem-
bled in spite of himself, and again he
looked at Albert, who now sat with Hen
ry on the sofa, both boys smiling and
evidently enjoying his distress.
Mr.. Harrison turned to his desk, wrote
q few lines, and then ringing the bell, or
dered the servant who appeared to take
them to the nearest police station.
"You don't really mean to have me
arrested, uncle9' asked Matte, turning
very pale.
"Hush, sir! not another word; am
done with you now," replied his uncle,
angrily.
"Albertp' cried the poor boy, now
really frightened, albert, you know l
didn't take the money; tell your father
before the policeman comes"
"Tell him what!" exclaimed Albert.
"Of course you took it; there was no one
else to,do it."
90, Albert, Albert, you know"
@Confound you'll" interrupted Albert,
springing up impatiently. ~ know you
are mean enough to do it, so hush upp
"Don't dare to speak another word,
sir" said Mr.. Harrison, and Matte was
silent, though his heart throbbed as if it
would burst, and he now saw that Albert
had no thought of owning the truth.
He knew too we'll how worse than useless
it would be for him to tell what he had
seen. But what could he do? He
thought of Susie, and comforted himself
by thinking that she was able to clear
him, and would do it as soon as she
could. In the meantime, he made up
his mind to bear bravely whatever was
in store for him.
He certainly, however, looked like a
guilty boy.when the servant returned,
bringing a policeman with him. The
sight of his uniform, and of the paper he
held'in his hand, sent all the blood into
Mats face, and made him hang his head
III shame. f.
In few words Mr.. Harrison explained
the case, and Nat was ordered to put on
on his coat and cap, and 60 along with
The officer One last appealing look he
cast upon Albert, but it had no effect,
and he was led into the street, and his
uncle's door was closed behind him.
1t was now late in the afternoon. Snow
was beginning to fall, and the weather
seemed to be growing colder every min
ute. The policeman advised Nat to but
ton his coat tight over his breast, and
then added, in a rough, but kindly tone:
81 say that uncle of yours is hard
one Tell me about it, little chap"
Touched by the mans tone, Nat looked
up, with his eyes swimming in tears, and
answered.: .......
"No, / can't tell you; it wouldn't do
any good. But didn't take the money"
ri believe you, youngster," said the
officer, "and I'm sorry for you, seein' as
you'll have to wait in mighty unpleas-
ant place till the next day after Christ
mas They never has no trials on Christ
mas you know" .....
"No, / didn't" answered Nat; "but I
can wait for | didn't take the money,
and there is somebody who knows about
it and will tell the truth. So / think /
shall get out soon."
"Well, l am glad you are so chippy
about it, but l hates to put you in there,
/ do, poz-" and the kind-hearted police.
man struck his club against a tree by
way Of emphasis .,...
A few squares more brought them to a
gate in a high stone wall, and passing
through, Nattie shuddered at the sight
Of the tall, gloomy-looking building
which stood within. A coarse brutal
looking man here met them, and Matte
was turned over to him, the policeman
saying kind word for him. Of which the
man took no notice. He took Nat
roughly by the arm and led him to the
far end of a long corridor, unlocked the
door, and showing him through, closed
and relocked it. For an instant Nat
stood bewildered by the noise and con-
fusion in which. he found himself. He
had heard of pandemonium, and surely,
he thought, it must be like This.
The room was a large and with two
grated windows high up in the wall, and
I was-crowded with boys from eight years
old up to eighteen. all dirty and ragged,
all cursing, swearing, scufiling and fight
ing. Not one looked as if a mothers
love had ever shielded him, or a mothers
1;oo haav ,nraoooI ,pnn h;c hrou A