Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-24
LITTLE BELLIES CHRISTMAS.
A Holiday Romance From the Heart of the
Metropolis.

Holiday Romance From the Heart of the
Metropolis.
From, the New York Herald.
Every one who knew Little Texas agreed
that she was the most amiable and altogether
the sweetest and most lovable child to be found
anywhere.
A pretty child, too, was Little Texas" with
her wealth of golden curls, blue eyes and sunny
features.
She was n child Of the people,
No one ever seemed to know who her parents
were nor what was her real name nor how or
where she lived. That she was poor was evil
dent, she earned daily a small pittance by
selling flowers, mostly to the occupants Of one
Of the large Office buildings on lower Broad
way.
She had a smile and good word for every
body, but was very reticent to her ante
cedents. Belle, she said, was her name and she
lived. 80 she stated, with an aunt somewhere
under the big bridge. But whether il was
Belle Smith or Belle Jones the child would
never say.
my aunt does not wish me to tell nv name, ~
she would answer when questioned on the sub
ject.
Little Belle. then-she was only ten years old
visited the various Offices in the big Broad
way building each morning and the kind
hearted men bought her little punches of vio-
Ilets and roses, often paving many times what
they were worth for little Belle had sucha sweet
smile of thanks for those who purchased her
wares.
From day to day the child sold her flowers.
and, although daily questioned, she would
never reveal her full name nor say where she
lived. 1t was finally accepted as a matter of
| course. Little Belle was a mystery.
In one of the large offices of the great build
ing one morning last week q midiie-aged man,
with full brown 5earu and s!ouch hat, care
less and easy in his manners. but well dressed
N
party or gentlemen tEcre assembled.
Yes. said the stranger. christmas comes
but once year. as yoI say, but that is Just
once too often for me-" At this there was a
general exclamation OF surprise on the part OF
his auditors. The stranger continued:
1T Ia a sad story and one that had its be-
ginning on Christmas day six years ago. I had
one Of the prettiest homes down in Texas then
you ever saw My wife, she's dead now" he
said with sigh. land the sweetest child, a
little girl with gOiden-brown hair and blue
eyes. Little Belle was her name.
I'VE had such happy home, too. And that
Christina, day. All, how well l remember it
now. The child had nurse whom she used to
call Auntie. Somehow l never trusted that
woman much. Well. there's no use in going
into particulars. Little Belle and her nurse
went out for walk on that Christmas morn
ing. Neither the woman nor the child has been
seen since My poor wife died-it broke her
heart. And l, well --''
the voice Of little child who had just entered
the Office.
my God! Whose child is that? What
your name girl? Who your came from
the Texan in excited tones.
Little Belle, the flower girl. for it was she,
stood irresolute for moment, eyeing the
stranger suspiciously. Suddenly her basket
dropped and the ligh: Of recognition shone in
her eyes. why, you're my papa" she said,
simply.
Tears strcamed down the Texans face as he
clasped the child in his arms.
THANK God ~ said he. Il have found her at
last, and so near Christmas, too. This Is in
deed a Christmas blessing!'
Father and daughter left the office together
1t was afterward learned that Bellies supposed
aunt was the nurse who had Kidnapped her and
brought her TO this city six years since. The
men about the big building heard of it and az
little Belle had gone to her Texan home the
day following purse was made up among
| them and one of their number with it pur-
chased handsome silver cup, which is now on
its way south.
Little Texas, from many hiends. Merry
Christmas 1S90!' was the inscription on the
cup.