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

A RIDDLE SOLVED.
How Uncle Charlie Accomplished
This Feat.
There is no loneliness like the solitude Of
a stranger among the busy thousands In the
crowded town. SO fclt Charles Morrill,
Uncle Charie-as he threaded his way
through the city on New Years Day, many
years ago, to pay his invariable visit at his
brothers. house. Uncle Charlie loves the
country as dearly as do. He was, at the
time Of which write, aoountry gentleman
well-to-do, with all the refinement Of edu-
cation, and the true polish Of Christian
courtesy. You would know him anywhere
for man who could be trusted. In crowd
he was the man whom you would single
out if you wished to ask question. And
still he was just the person whom an i'm
poster would avoid. Nobody tried him with
tales of feigned distress. Nobody offered
him gilt watches as gold, with which the
owner was compelled to part: No 'tconf-
something in his clear grey eye which told
you that he could see through the arch de-
vice, conceal it never 80 wisely. The honest
applicant in real need never failed to ad-
dress him, and was seldom disappointed; !;
for Uncle Charlie had that species Of Free
masonry which honesty establishes among
honest people.
SO it was no wonder that little girl
scantily clad, but very neat, timidly ap-
preached him and touched his arm. She
Years morning; sometimes by those who
rudely scolded or curtly answered her,
sometimes by others who rendered her small
money to escape her Importantly. She hold
handful of small coin as il she really did
not know what to do with It, how she came
Charlie looked intently at her face and then
at her blue arms and fingers, which trenl-
bled with the cold, as in one hand she held
her money, and with the other drew her
thin shawl about her.
"Why, child" he said, with smile the
least shade satirical, ''y0u should hide that
money in your pocket before you ask for
more. There is more in your hand already
than two or three pennies to buy loaf Of
bread Poor child" hc added, In q kinder
pocket, you indulge in no unnecessary lux
uries."
~ did not ask you for money" said the
girl. "And did not ask those who gave
me this. My mother did not send me out to
beg, and we have loaf Of bread for to-day,
and one for tomorrow"
'Well, then, what Is it?"
II wish somebody in all this great city to
go and see my mother, for she told mo to-
say that she had not friend in the worldW
this great city, and SO have taken me who
come here Q stranger. Why, little one, you
don't think to take me in-me. right sharp
man just from the Jerseys"
20, sir, don't tease ms, please. Don't
I lyuOtu yOu avo a LIND -haaVff6 snan
ever you may pretend"
Uncle Charles first thought was to shake
her of. He read the newspapers, and know
all about the tricks which are played in the
girl still stood shivering by his side. She
waited his decision without saying another
word; but her eager eyes furtively scanned
the passing crowd, as IL looking Tor some
one else whom she might socOst Uncle
Charlie put his hand In his pocket-
your money" .--
swell, You are strange'-beggar. he
was going to say, bat he thought better Of
it. $50 on, and 1 will follow"
Ana 30 they went, Uncte Charlie all the
while thinking that he would not figure In
the ''local columns of the newspapers, even
if he lost his watch and pocketbook He
would suffer and be silent, and no Alder
mans office should hear the story Of his
wrongs. But his decent opinion Of himself
S:oui ou hin .hoI noDOuy Couiu inPoSo up0u
him No, indeed! The child, as she hur-
rled along, looked less and less like little
rogue. Uncle Charlie began to think that
she was pretty, and as he scanned her ap-
Iearance he noticed that her garments,
though scanty, were the welssved wit
nesses OF better days 6hc turned down
court, and Uncle Charlie, following, soon
found himself ushered into o room where he
was little expected The single inmate was
IS much surprised ss he
Mother" said the child, "you said you
mad not friend IN the world. l have
,nog brought you one And the curious !, chill child
thought she had done clever thing.
Inc mothers fSce expressed 0ewiidered
astonlshment. But N 2 moment though
unused 70 mrth, an nyoiuntary smile sue
oeeaea: II could % angry With you," enc she
ii0 q 49, a aoa eS But
girl a. has ss SAID A 70 you Wa q her own notios
hd Seecs st s
q hcf ssSs sbsepcs %S;,, Whas y that you have IN
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