The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-12-24

Punctually at five O clock Mr.. Weston
met Nell where he had left her in the
morning, and, drawing her into the only
quiet place he could find, he said, in
his abrupt way:
See here! | came across some one
to-day who wants to make you pres
eht OF a good warm coat and hat. A
friend of yours an .aa
Mel A friend of miner You must
be mistaken" jait
Well, he's friend of Toms, and
ne thought, you know, that it would
please Tom to have you come home
with new dress"
Yes, it would please Tom; but"
No butts in the case. Eve got the
money and it's in my way. Come on,
and let me spend it before l lose it, l
nate to have other peoples money to
take care Of"
Nell followed him, in kind of dream,
into an establishment where ready
made clothing was for sale; but when
there she turned, as though she would
ny from the place. But Mr.. Weston
spoke to her and said, kindly:
~! | don't think it can be for me,
There must be some mistake"
No, there's no mistake, and it's to
please Tom. you know"
Then Nell remained quiet while he
took one Of the lady clerks aside and
gave her some instructions; after which
he left Nell in her care. saying that he
would be back in little while. He
waited, however, till the coat NeA had
on was sent out to him; and then pro-
cseded to clothing store, where he
ordered suit of clothes to fit inside the
4 ovefcoat
When he went back for Nell he hard
ly recognized her in the extremely pref
ty girl, with her hair plated down her
back and a simple, but neat, suit of
dark blue. He smiled as he saw her,
and said:
"Do you think Tom will know the
Nell who left him few hours ago?'
30! don't say that, or I'll take them
all Off"
"Well, well, l can't wait for that
now, for it's getting late; and l want
you to help buy some presents for my
grandchildren"
corr said Nell, suddenly, when they
had gone some distance from the store
"Well."
Il left Toms coat and hat"
'It's all right. | told them to send
| it to Tom
Nell looked surprised; but the old
gentleman hurried her into store, and
she soon became interested in his pur-
chases, for he appealed to her from time
to time to assist in selecting something
for a girl about her age or for boy
something like what he imagined Tom
to be.
"And now" he said, when they were
nearly through, 'you see didn't pay
you all that paper was worth yesterday
and thought you might like some more
of it now, to buy something for Tom,
| you know"
"Why, you paid whole dollar, and
that was great deal more than it was
worth"
mot to me. A thousand dollars
would have been cheap. So you see
you might as well take a little more OF
it; and it's not to 60 to doctors bills,
but must be spent now"
Nell took hesltatingly the five-dollar
bill he handed her, and again tear
met his eye; but he soon removed that
by interesting her in the disposition OF
her money. Tom came first, then Mrs.
Andrews, and then little sick child in
the next house.
When they reached Mr.. Weston
house both he and Nell had their arms
full of bundles; but Nell was frightened
at the sight of children running here
and there and calling loudly for Grand
pa! Grandpa!'
'Run! run! Run away, every one OF
your he replied: "You don't suppose
Pm going to let you see even the out
side of these bundles, do you, till the
appointed timer Come, Nell, we must
get these upstairs before they get hold
of them"
Nell followed him; but kept very close
to him until they entered room, where
she was told she could put them down.
| Scarcely had she done so when she
sprang forward, and, throwing herself
on the floor by the side of a lounge,
cried, excitedly:
"Why, Tomr'
ell, Nell. HOW nice you lo0k!'
"But, Tom, what does it all meanp'
asked Nell, bewildered.
Then came the explanation, after
which Nell said, with the tears in her
eyes: -...
"Do you mean that this is really to
be your home and mine, Tom?"
Eyes, Nell; and you won't have to
sell papers any more. Think of it''
But Nell was crying now; and the old
gentleman, standing by the table,
stopped in his work of christening the
bundles to wipe his eyes, while the
pleasant looking lady who was assist
ing him looked attentively at the boy
and girl before her. ..' I.
20 Toni was all Nell could say.
And when her cry was over the kind
looking lady led her away to take off
her wrappings and have something to
eat; and then there were lots of chill
dren to see and get acquainted with,
and then there was the Christmas tree.
Nell had never seen one lighted before,
though Tom had; and to her it was all
new and SO delightful. Such lots of
beautiful things for everybody, even
| for Tom and herself. How did il han