The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1886-12-30

along the streets, to speculate upon the in
habitants Of the houses and to people them
who ought to live in this house and who in
that, to preserve the unities. Uncle Charlie
would, no doubt, have INDUCED In such day
dreams If his head had not been full of the
wonderful place he had just left, wonderful
FORT for its very simplicity as, ss fairy bower;
lady-like, self-possessed mother. The tene-
ment had, to Philadelphian, nothing no
ticeable about 1t. It was one Of those small
houses peculiar to the Quaker City, with
the street door opening directly into the
much nu depth WIZ But ier il WAS ] one house, ' I Whole
house, though small for one family; such q
tenement as widow could have have all to
herself ut small cost, or clerk or other man
Of modest means might occupy, and not be
forced into a mixed residence with other
people.
And tho furniture had evidently been re-
moved here from place more commodious
The piano took up more than its fair share
Of cne side of the room; and other articles
said, rs plainly as they could speak, that
they were never purchased for their pres
puzzle Of the place for Uncle Charlie. What
did that child mean by taking him home
with her? And what did the mother mean
by saying that she had no friendsl If she
had only entertained him with q plausible
story, he would have understood at once that
the whole thing was palpably trap.
While Uncle Charlie walks and wonders
we will slip on before him to the house
where he would have been long before, If
the little enigma had not beguiled him out
Of the way.
Here, too, were the evidences that the in
mates had seen more cheerful days. But
none of tho thousands who passed the mod
est mansion, scrupulously neat, could have
guessed that any thing but prosperity was
within The well-washed marble steps were
woman Of all work. That functionary took
turn at street sweeping, window washing
and passenger gszing, while her mistress
supplied, for time, her place within doors.
And thus the house was managed, as many
such ore in the 'Quaker City" 1t is para
the poor and respectable, where by decent
fctions in housekeeping, and laudable hypo-
crsy, a good appearance may still be made /;
and honest, self-respect may be preserved
after the wealth which once made oil things
easy has slipped away.
everybodys slumber betimes, with ''Happy
New Yeari Happy New Year!" OF course
1t was child's voice. Children are the last
to learn that it is proper and sensible to mar
our present by regrets over the past: And
it was s,ranS Boys S ySss stb tSt stIs It'll gr like
acquire q precocious and unchild-like knowl-
edge of the worlds cares and perplexities.
Girls are more discerning In many things
more wise, more prudent than boys They are
admitted behind the scenes in the little
lily sweep as though they wept not" Boys
know less than girls. And SO do men than
women, think. But then I am q woman
Uncle Charlie called this little boy his moth
er's Sunshine" And so he was. All chill
dren, in some degree, deserve the name, but
it was little Geordie's pre-eminently: God,
in His wisdom, has made these little ones
angels in the house. They will see only the
bright side. Little sorrows afflict them, but
their tears pass over like April showers, and
they will not be defrauded Of the happiness
that is left, and are willing to be pleased
still, after all reverses and disappoint-
If little Geordie was Sunshine" to his
uncle, Uncle Charlie was the whole solar
system to his nephew. The boy lived in his
uncle's light. His mother was dear to him,
always, and Uncle Charlie came in like the
wonder in fairy. story, just when he was
most wanted and most welcome. Mother
was usad, and often perplexed, and
though always kind, sometimes slow to
answer the thousand questions Of child
light and cherry. He mover looked per
picked, for nothing could puzzle him. o,
no! And as to questions, he always an
swered them, even the most difficult, though
candor compels the confession that his re-
plies would not always bear verihcation
under oath or affirmation.
Mother, Geordie was compelled to be-
lieye, was somewhat helpless, like himself,
but Uncle Charlie could do every thing
9eordie could only hint his wishes, and Il
his uncle could not quite accomplish them,
he could suggest some thing else which he
A1A Iii Iii =
great deal better. Geordie longed, o,
how much, for live pony. Uncle Charlie
bought him q rocking horse, which would
neither kick nor run away. Besides, II
would eat nothing, and Geordie was easily
convinced that the wooden pony's moderate
could make believe feed it, you know, and a
horse that only makes believe eat is q very
profitable animal.
"E'il Uncle Charlie come to-dayl"
The mother sighed as she said: II hope
20, mother, l know he will, for he always
came on New Years when father was at
home"
Mrs. Merrill could no longer stay her
tears. 1t was sad New Years Day to
her; for she had no assurance-scarce O
hope-that the husband and father, who, Q
was longer among the living. Early in
the year, just closed he had left her for FL
Dorado, the wonderful land which once
carried away all our restless population
the land fruitful in gold to few, In anxieties
and tears to all the friends who were left
behind. Months had passed and no tidings
were received from him. It was . sad
wiltry day to the hearts Of those who
sighed for the absent And yet the streets
were full OF promenaders, people OF light
heart and cheerful demeanor, who passed
tho window where the deserted wife and
mother sat. The thought was forced upoI
her, whether through the year Just opene(
she should strive to keep together
her husbands homo comforts; or whether
she must not relinquish sll, and thui
confess that she hoped no more for hi
return. She had almost forgotten Uuoll
Charlie, when she caught . glimpse o.
TNT knew he would come-I knew he wouit
come" shouted little Gcorgie, and befor,
HIS mother could reach the door, the happy
boy WAS tugging ct the latch. We need no
desoribe with Whist Joy Uncle Charlie wa,
welcomed, or how before his pleasant smil'
pleasant though sad, for he could feel
the gloomy thoughts Of nrs. Merrill CAV
her respite. Wonderful were the stores o
toys and bou-bons which came out Of Uncl
Charlie's pockets. for his little nephew
Deep was the blaeh with which Mrs. Mer
Charlie bade her to put In hss pocket and :
ssCharles, you sre rcbbing yourself.n
"Mel and . bachelor, without wife, 0
Ghick, or child. Beside, it's all charged
snd viii be paid when your husband como
Hrs. Merrill sadly shook herhead Uncl
Charlie knew her forebodings. Perhaps
sh.red them. But Uncle Charlie was alway