Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-12-25
NO. Is.

/ got fire and food for them, and
did all | could for their immediate
relief. Then / rushed to the Office
of the Trumpet and wrote such an
account OF them as would be sure to
send the good people of Doonvilleto
their door with abundant relief. 1t
was long and graphic article, and
realistic to a startling degree. We
were not illustrating newspapers
them as now, so | could only picture
the suffering of this family in words.
However, gave the article tremen-
dous head lines and q prominent
place. The Trumpet was issued
the next day, which was the day
before Christmas, and it went forth
on its work of arousing the pity of
Doonville for the family in the old
house by the river. Twas very busy
all that day and could not get to see
them. But when night came and /
lay down to rest | had the satlsfac-
ton of feeling that they were pro
vided for, and that | had been the
instigatIng cause of their relief. /
fancied the surprise and sorrow the
benevolent Mrs. Barclay would feel
when she visited them, carrying aid,
as she was sure to do after reading
my article. And how distressed, i
thought, Mr.. Archibald Doom would
be when he realized that so sad a
case of want existed in the town of
which he was so proud. And others
ever so many ..others-would be
equally interested and equally help.
full. In imagination | saw the phil
anthropists of the community, one
after another, going down to the old
house by the river side carrying aid
and sympathy.
The next morning was Christmas.
1t was cold and clear, with sharp
wind Observation-Disclosures Christmas
weather, called CHEEKY in stories, ]
think, but very uncomfortable for
those who are thinly clad. After
breakfast / started down to see my
poor friends by the river. / wanted
to help them, but all l could do
would be but cipher in comparison
with what had already been done.
But | thrilled with the pleasure |
would experience in seeing their i'm
proved condition, knowing had had
a hand in it.
How forlorn and desolate the house
was, even as seen from afar off! And
oh the dreariness of Christmas to
those within!
A man approached the house just
ahead of me. A second glance told
me that it was the tract distributor.
felt a spasm OF wrath at sight of
him. How dare he mock those
wretched people with his printed
twaddle while their bodies needed
food, and fire and clothing?
He knocked, and the thin little
girl with the pale, delicate face open
ed the door, came out, and shut it
behind her. The tract distributor
took off his hat. she looked up at
} him, and / knew she spoke, though
l was not near enough to hear what
she said. noticed, too, that she
raised her hand in gesture-a sol
emu and intensely dramatic gesture,
it seemed to me, for one so young to
make unconsciously. A queer sort
of chill crept over me. The tract
| distributor opened the door and went
in, but she stood outside, and was
, still standing there when | reached
the door.
Somehow, when | was quite near
her / could find no words to utter.
She seemed to understand, and poin-
ting to the door, said: "You can go
in if you want to. Father died this
morningr'
l stood speechless in the prt sence
of that child's fearless sorrow.
"But help came to sou yesterdayP
said, my heart sinking as posi-
bility / had never thought Of flashed
into my mind.
"Yes, he-the man who had gone
in-eame and was very kind. He
stayed by father all night, and was
only away little while; but father
died while he was gone"
i "And-did-did - nobody else
come yesterday 7" ] stammered.
Nobody else" said the child,
looking up surprised at the question.
| felt ashamed to go in and face
the tract distributor in the presence
of the dead he had comforted and
whom | had left for others to comfort
Others who never came.
He greeted me with gentle kind
ness, and as | clasped his hand in
that woeful dwelling inwardly bent
before him in establishment.
We went out together to plan for
the funeral and procure further aid