The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-12-23
WESTMINSTER MD. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1882.

gathering, but we dressed a tree for the
little ones and lighted it on Christmas Eve.
The next morning they, the children we
mean, were all in the nursery, and we sup
pose one of them tried to light the tree.
Certain it is that they set the room on hre,
and before we could save anything the
whole house was in flames. All escaped
but my sisters child, her only one; he per-
ished in the fire. " 5.i...
care you certain r
aWhere else could he be? My two little
brothers and sisters were saved with dlfflcul-
ty, and the roof fellin while we were all fran
tically searching and calling for Arthur, or,
as we always called him Trot. My sisters
health gave way entirely under this 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 have all had
the best advice for her, but she is slowly
dying of broken heart.
at is from no impertinent curiosity" l
said, ''that I question you. Will you answer
my inquiries ??
We were speeding over the frozen ground
toward my home, as she answered.
Certainly"
"This little child-had he a pet name for
you?"
eyes; my home name. They all called
me Daisy and he called me Aunt Daisy p
"And your sisters names are Mary and
Sue; your brothers Walter and Baby
ayes, yes" she said turning very pale.
"And Trot's nurse, Ellen, did she 60 to
Australia p
eyes, year ago last fall. Your face is
radient! Speak quickly-our lost boy!'
We were at my door; her face was ashy
white with emotion, but she obeyed my
motion, and let me lead her from the sleigh
to my Office l made her sit down, and be-
gan to explain, when-"Uncle Charley!
rang out from my pets voice, and Trot
burst into the room Lillian rose to her
feet with a wild cry of '"Trot Arthur
darlingr'
For moment he stood bewildered; then
sudden rush came over the childish heart,
and he sprang into her arms.
"Aunt Daisy! Where's mamma Iwant
mamma! Quick quick Uncle Charley,
Aunt Daisy, take me to mamma? p
For nearly three hours we sat in the lit
tie Office before Lillian could tear herself
away from the child, but at last she let me
take her to the sleigh, consoling Trot by
promise that tomorrow he should see his
mother.
I left the disclosure to her womanly
tact. But, on the morrow, when l drove
over with the child dressed in his black
velvet suit, altered to fit him by Mrs. Wat
sons trembling fingers, and moistened l
am sure by many tears, [ found all prepar-
ed for the great joy.
Such Christmas never dawned for me.
To tell of the gratitude of the pale widow,
the Joy of the grandparents, the boisterous
greetings between the children is beyond
the powers of my pen.
Of course the precise time and manner
of Arthurs escape from the house we could
only conjecture. The nurse was in the
kitchen nearly an hour when the alarm Of
fire was given, and the flames had gained
great headway before they were discovered,
the family sitting being on differ
ent floor, and some distance from the nur-
sery. Of course the fearless boy had left
the house before the attempt to light the
tree was made, but the others, absorbed in
Christmas delights, 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
departure 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 supposed he belonged
to some party on the train.
It 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.