The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-12-28
selerf Starp.
ERIC WINsTOA'S CHRISTMAS.
By DWIGHT BALDWIN.

One winters afternoon a group Of
boys. ranging in age from six to six
teen years, were engaged in mimic
battle on public street in a retired
portion of great, thriving city. 1t
was the day before Christmas, and
school was out, and the friendly af-
fray, partaking of entire good feel
ing and heartiness, was a parting
expression of cheer for the holiday
vacation. Robust health and high
spirits spoke in the tingling faces,
and pleasant anticipations filled
every 5oyish heart as they banded
words of defiance or challenge, and
the snowy spheres nayigated the
clear, crispy air in white, scatter
ing shower.
s.Hurrah, drive them back to the
fence.r' shouted the leader of one of
the contending factions, and so hot
and furious became the assault that
the beleaguered party retreated in
dismay and confusion, leaving only
the trodden. disordered snow and
one PROSTATE boy on the abandoned
field of battle.
The latter raised himself, with a
hearty laugh at being downed in the
battle, waved a parting adieu to his
friends, and shaking the snow from
his garments started homeward at a
brisk rate of speed.
He paused as he happened to
glance toward the high stone fence
which surrounded a building near
by. What he had not noticed be-
fore was visible now. Seated on a
coping, gazing around him in a daz-
ed, confused sort of way, was an old
man, closely mufiied. His hat was
on the ground, an old, worn grip
sack lay trodden under feet near by.
and the ruddy face and gray head
showed where a dozen stray balls
mad left their mark. He shook his
fist haleangiily after the shouting
tirong that had been bis discomft-
urc. and then struggled to his feet.
.sThe--the young ragamuflins =
the conscienceiess rascalsr he ejac
ulated. @Ha. boy, are yon one of
them
There was half-amused, half
penitential expression on Eric Win
ston's face as he hsstened to the
side of the old man and took up his
hat and handel it to him with a
bow.
SIN afraid | am, SIR ne replied;
sbut I'm sure my friends didn't in
tend to make you a target. They're
too good-natured for that, and you
only happened in the way"
"And got assailed for wandering
into the enemy's camp, eh?' laughed
the man, his good humor completely
restored, as Eric brushed the snow
from his satchcl and politely handed
it to him. "Wcll, well, boys will be
boys, and you're good one for try
ing to help me in my Distress and
patting Eric on the shoulder, he
bobbled from the spot.
sDear me, how latem calculated
Eric, as a distant bell chimed four
several strokes; "this won't do. I've
loitered too long already, and good
mother Ursula will he boxing my
ears for playing so much on the
way and with a bound the lad
made the snow fly, and never relax
ed his speed until lie reached one
story. antiquated house that stood
far back from the sreet, ON one of
the most modest thoroughfarcs of
the vicinity.
He did not enter the house at
sonce, but casting a sly look at the
windows made his way to a shed at
the rear, and seizing an AK he piled
lit right industriously, trying to make
up fer lost time, and had soon split
the fLel for the night. Then he en-
tered the warm, cosy kitchen with
the air of conscious culprit.
He had expected a severe scold-
ing FOR his delinquency, but as he
softly piled an armful of wood be-
hind the stove, he was amazed tc
see the object of his fears-good
Dame Ursula-regarding him with
tears in her eyes.
Erie Winston's story was strange
and sad one. When he was two
wears old his mother had died and
his father was away at sea. The
lonely child was cared for by hired
nurse until the money Robert Win
ston had left before going on his
last voyage was exhausted,and then
his fate quivered in the balance
Neither Robert Winston nor his shil
had ever been heard from, and il
was supposed that he had perishee
in some severe ocean storm. This
conviction became surety as th'
months sped by and there was nj
word from the missing sailor. 1t wa!
decided to send the child to the or
phan asylum, when Ursula Cheste
and her husband, who had been be
friendcd BY the Winstons in times
past, adopted him, and with then
he had lived ever since.