Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1880-1886, 1880-11-12

| - '" W. NNAaAN NAA VI btAsA
streets and alleys"
AT this moment the hall bell rang loud.
", and Uncle Tim and Aunt Martha en-.
tered. His face was purple with cold and
the wind tossed bis snowy locks, but bis
blue eyes we're bright and smiling, as, tax
| ing of his greatcoat IN the hall, he e1.
claimed: Dear children. tomorrow night
| Is Christmas eve, ! shall give 10 my poor
| friends a supper; there will be at least two
hundred present, and / think we will have
an agreeable time; we must all do our best
to make them happy. Ny Ehie," said be-.
| slapplng her lightly upon her shoulder,
Shall be mistress Of ceremonies. and You.
Mabel and Alice, will kindly assist, am
sure"
Mabel was too polotic to decline, but re-.
| solved in her own mind to have an excuse
10 absent herself
Alice thinking Of the many favors she
had already received from Uncle Tin, and
the others expected, said coldly, certainly"
Uncle Tim was too busy to be annoyed
and did not observe the contemptuous
manner Of the girls, but hustled around
amongst the servants giving orders for the
morrow, whilst Efile followed him, singing
with glee, her kind heart overfiowing with
Joy in the anticipation Of the pleasure
Uncle Tim was going to give others.
Christmas eve was bright and clear; the
old home was well lighted, the fires shone
in the highly polished CRATES; all was cur.
tanned, closed and warmed. At seven
o'clock precisely they came, according 10
their invitations, the lame, the halt and
the blind Old Uncle Tim was delighted,
and he himself attended the loud-ringing
doorbell. All came happy and expectant.
Tha hind ola ~ 4
and feeble to remove their shabby wraps,
whilst the children clung around his knees
and the old and the nfirm welcomed him
with hearty "God bless you!" In the
dining room Aunt Martha regned queen.
the chandeliers threw their many rays Of
light down upon the well-filled tables
which groaned beneath their weight Of
substantials. Uncle Tim seated himself
in the midst Of his guests, whilst Aunt
Martha and Efiie assisted the servants in
carrying around cups Of tea and coffee,
and tempting slices Of bread and butter,
fearful lest some might be overlooked.
Mabel complained Of headache-a pretend
ed excuse for absenting herself-whilst
Alice, though present, was quiet and re-
served. Ellie looked extremely lovely in
her snowy white dress and blue ribbons;
her golden curls adorned her well-shaped
head like halo. She, herself, distributed
to each careworn but now radiant-faced,
little one large package Of confectionery,
with some pretty toy and knot of flowers.
The latter were fair, but the fairest flower
was herself.
Uncle Tim gave to each little one a sup
ply Of stockings and good pair of shoes,
whilst to the elders, each bank note
whose value was estimated according to
their necessity. After this distribution all
were invited into the comfortable parlors,
where the good old man whose heart, over.
flowing with happiness, wandered back to
the days when he was young, and he told |
many time worn story of the incidents |
that occurred when he was boy. These |
were repeated so often that his neices--
with the exception Of Effie, who always |
found something new and interesting in |
them--were disgusted. Not so his happy |
guests, who made the old house ring with |
their laughter. 1t is not always the greatest |
wit that causes the most merriment Is it |
not the mood we happen to be IN? The old |
people laughed because their hearts had |
been made light and gay, and the children
because they heard laughter.
As Uncle Tim sat in the clear gaslight |
his face frightened by the cheerful CRATE
iire, his blue eyes beaming with great sat
isfaction, his homely features beautified by
an expression of true benevolenee that |
played over them, the picture was one that
would touch with intense admiration the
coolest heart. Etfie stood at the back of !
his chair and occasionally leaned forward
to smooth from his broad forehead his thin
locks, forming pretty contrast, reminding1
one Of spring and Understanding the
snow with the blossoms. At this moment
Howard Weston aud Harry Graham en-
tered. These young men had heard Of
Uncle Tins PARTY and Howard, being
great admirer Of his, determined to hap
pen in; whilst his friend, Harry Graham,
having heard that Alice was there, was
easily persuaded, in fact, was more than
anxious for the invitation. AS Howard
Weston entered he was at once fascinated
by the beautiful, fairy-like creature stand
ing beside Uncle Tins chair, and stood for |
a few moments as il spell-bound. Never
before, he thought, had he seen a human
being more beautiful, more lovely. Effie
blushed deeply at the ardent gaze OF the |
stranger, being modest country violet,
and as yet little accustomed to the society
Of gentlemen.
Presently Howard's self-possestion was
restored and he approached, saying, "Good
evening, Uncle Tim, hope am not in.
iruding, but / heard you had party and
thought l would take the liberty to come |
and see how you conducted such things,
'for, said he, looking shyIy at Efie, ''if
over | am so lucky as to havea home of my |
own ! would like such happy gatherings as
these."
"You are very welcome, my boys; glad
% see you both. My neice, Mss Summer
ield."
"This is lady, ," said Howard, "of whom
have heard so much IN my rounds among ,
The poor, for try, Miss Efie, to follow as
much as in my power in the steps Of your
EXCELLENT uncle, but have found wherever
have gone the fame Of his nece has gone
before me-"
"Qh," said Efiie, blushing deeply at the
praise, which in her modesty she thought
The did not merit, 81 only 60 to assist
lncle and aunt, am sure ! accomplish
yery little good, | wish indeed ] could do
more"
"You take pleasure, am sure, in the
york, do you not, Miss SummerfieldY
'Indeed, she does" exclaimed Uncle
My little girl is equal to my right hand,
llways anxious to assist me in carrying out /
my good work that undertake"
All, Uncle Tim. yon little knew the harm
lou were doing. Howard Weston saw the
prize YOU valued most and already coveted
t. The entire evening he was beside her,
in every way to get her good j
will. This was not difficult for the hand
iome gifted noble young man
Harry Graham hunted out Alice, who |
iat silently upon a sofa in the corner Of /
he room, and, am sure, profted by the I
which was presented for it | /