The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1884-12-25
LlTTLE mi
A Story In Rhyme OF Uncle Amos
and His Christmas Gifts.

HOmN ifum tut Upmth Mfufo manu- III HuuN |
Grim poverty and pain would stand,
And some, alas from haunts whore men
Forged for their woes now ohainA again.
: Amid the crowd that tostled by,
with tired foot and stihed sigh,
Went Bonnie Moore, a blue eyed lad,
Tho only Joy his mother had.
bhe was a Widow, Day by day
bhe. eeFed her health and strength away
While her young son, with anxions heart
10 help her bravely tried his part,
And walked the biey CITY through,
eeeh1ng some work 10 ind and do.
Yet search WA vain. Men said that he
Looked weak an 'errand' boy 20 bot
Looked slcf and small In fact they had
KotOba W Rve 90 young u lad,
And 20 With each discouraged night
cnme tears 20 din tho blue eyea' light
While Homie In his henrt would eayt..
'Please, Lord % help mamma, pray"
Tho boy had tried and tried again
"Odd Jobs T" ~ fnd, OF any kind
Or hard or light, no would not mind.
But nov, stu ompty-handod, he
Went BhlvorfnR homeward, wonrily,
The earnest question ON his tonguei
Mamma IA nine years old too young
For workr' "Dopr child" She answered,
Arc not as ~strong-nlasi It's truo-
As many other boys You meet
Each day upon the busy street. ,
Do pat nt I'LL you're older grown,
Then mother WIN not toll alone" !
30 little Bennie's hoart grow sore.
He pondored his grave question Der, 3
TIL suddenly u happy thought f,
by his quick, eagor brain was caught
Nor did he lot II 20 I'LL no
Had studied II most thoroughly.
Ho k~new-what lttlo boy docs notf-
or that most fascinating spot
Called Country" Every dear child knows
II IL a lovely place that grows
Outside Of city walls and lies
All free beneath the distant aldea.
Our Bonnie had no map To traoo h
a town, locality or places.
Ho only know that eomoulore grow
High hills, and happy valleys, too.
He only longed, With all his heart
From city ways and woes 10 part;
To 80 where boys wcro mo 30 many,
And nc could earn an honest penny.
All night he pondored on his plan
TIL morning oam0, Dear little mani
How quick his tongue found leave 70 speak,
=. When mothers kiss was on his checks
+" Mother, dear mother, | must gol'
lie plead, FOR In my heart | know
That some kind farmer will employ
And md sOfh orranda for your boy.
Then when tho Chr. stmas time shall come
III bring my earnings safely homo;
And you and |, oh mother, dear,
H.. WIN have a happy Christmas ohoor,"
All, hennlo, nor sho sndly said.
But Bonn o, a. she shook nor head.
.. Foil back upon his last resource.
" Now look nj mo, mamma, OF course,
shall BIO growing. strong and well
In the freah air, You can not toll
How sure I am that II will DO
The very bost OF things for me-"
His mother guod upon him there.
The little face was far too fair
For perfect health, and well sho know
=, The ahndow ~ those eyes 80 blue,
:, Can y DO Gods own Plan, thought she,
" Which, tho IL take my child from mo
lot oilora health and strength 20 himf
Dare l rofueol" Hor eyes grew dim.
-, She laid hor hand upon his head.
v God bloes you, Bonnie, goV' sho said.
Old Amos Green same up tho hill
From his broNd meadow land below,
Just rs tho settling aln had shed
Ocr hill an dnlo lts crimson glow.
THO farmer whisllod ~ he walked,
And 70 hlS shepherd dog no talked
with X ndlY notice "Snop, old boy,
Llfe after all Is full OF 10y,
II folks would only look nbout
An try 70 pick ltA comforts out
Instead o. grumblin' day by day,
,IGauso things don : always 20 their way"
shep waggod natal, then paused 10 bark,
Prioked up his cars, aud with a bark
Went bounding forward 20 tho cato,
Who're ho had eoen u figure wait.
A little ilgure, thinly clad,
A urod, yet n hopeful ladi
For IN the farmers sunburnod face,
i. hurprleo 10 kindly amllos gave place.
=" why, hlosh my SOUL who have w0 h0ror'
Then Bonnio, without shame or fear,
Told who no was ana whence no came,
Showed his snail feet, so bruised aud lame
From climbing h .llA and walking o or
Long roads he moor hnd aoen before
Told also php ho'd como away
From home, In n strange place 20 stay.
= We stopped ht many n house 10 500
II anybody wanted MOI
but I'm too little, Don't folks know
That little boys can bigger grown
ne stoppod ana lad MS soft, pale check
oh Shcpa broad hoad. Shop couldn't Bpoal,
Hut with his Dyes he seemed 70 say,
= Master, don't send the boy away
Well, lad, what IN II you would doY'
Asked Farmer, Groom, stay here with you,
End DO oed Jobs and thinge, You'll zoo
Wng bonnio'a oagor answer, whIlo
. lie hKhtonod 'noath the old mans Bmilo.
Please, sir, I'm tired with my walk,
And most too tired 10 ovon talkl"
Thon Game tho farmer . sister, Pruo-
lnoloyod. OF ohlldron woro those two,
Who Ia tholr cheerful homo together,
Hnd brayely shared hfo's ohangoful woath-
rrhoso two alone, and loving all
Young folks around, or large or small,
Woro lovingly. by children claimed,
hhno Uncle "Annuo they wore named)
On Ii G@%H; s : brow rug S@ lssa un l'SS SSr Sana
Poor little boyl Don't tromblo eoi
Amos, wen Mood h q help, | know,
"A little ohoro boy, Surely wo
Won't grudgo tho pay 10 such ~ ho."
Ill.
Now fnnoy little hon, ouch day,
His.young hcart growing light and gny,
Ana moro than that 40 grateful, too,
: And, dear mamma, Il \ 10 much bottor,'
lilo told hlh mother In hIn lOttlrJ