Evening journal., 1891-12-21
4 BRIGHT CHRISTMAS STORY.
A Wilmington hoy, Ten Years Old, Writes
II In Twenty Mlnutes-"A Joyous Christ


mas
The following Christmas story was
written by Fl. b. Van Deventer, Lad
only 10 years cid. The boy is a son OF
Or. u A. Van Deventer OF No. 800 Mar
ket street.. IL IS said that after collecting
bis notes and ideas young Van Deventer
wrote the story in twenty minutes. The
orr ginal OF the piece fresh from his pen
is apprehended
In the year 1S-- in village on the
coast OF England lived Lord Arlington.
his wife and two children, their names
were Charles and Dot. The boy had a
quick temper, was selfish and sometimes
inclined to be little cruel, but his sis
ter was gentle. loving and kind They
loved each other very dearly. Charles
was IL years Of age, two years Older than
his sister.
II was the day before Christmas, the
ground was covered with snow when Dot
ran to her father and begged him to take
her drive In the new sleigh. With
| pleasure, my little girl, he replied, and
suppose you invite your brother to join
us. Away she went In great glee aud
| quickly returned her face beamlng with
joy ana said "Oh papa he was de-
lighted with the invitation and accepted
! gladly
Now, II mamma was only we'll enough
to go with us my child, but we will take
her another time
They were soon warmly tucked In the
| sleigh and the little party was merrily
going down the road when the jingle
OF the sleigh bells attracted the attention
OF little beggar boy that was turning
the corner, he stopped aud looked after
them. AS he peered through the misty
air he heaved a sorrowful sigh and NUT
tered Them rich folks never think OF
the poor children that have no clothes to
wear or nothing to eat, and have to walk
In the ice and snow"
A short time elapsed when the merry
little party returned. Charley jumped
from the sleigh, and with courtesy
beyond his years, assisted his sister out.
The little wAif was seated on the steps
Of the great mansion, shivering with
cold. Charley in his impulsive way or
dered him off, but Dot had a tender and
sympathiE'ng heart, and pittied the poor
little boy, and called servant and said
take him to the kitchen, let him get
warm and tell the cook to prepare him
some food.
He had no sooner partaken Of the re-
freshment when servant appeared and
told him that Lord Arlington wished TO
see him In the library The little fellow
was soon led into his presence. Lord
Arlington questioned the boy and
learned that he had no parents, had been
sleeping Ia cellars and alleys and beg.
cling for living since be had lost his
father
Il thought ! might help you in some
way since my little daughter here has
taken such an interest ia you. That wa
my object In sending for you. Can you
readg"
mo sir; my father did MOI know how.
either"
What Is your manner"
John Stradley."
What business did your father fol
low27
He used to catch fish and sell them
whenswe lived in the little house down
by The water Mother died first. When
father was dying he called me to him
and told me that hs was ont fishing one
day and boat upset and that be picked
me up and carried mo home to mother.
because they had no children. sThey
We're very good 10 me, sir, and he
brushed away the tears that gathered in
his eyes at the recollection Of his early
home. "He found this around my ck.
continued the boy, at the same time ex-
hiblting a locket and chain "He told mo
always to keep 1t. and l always have, sir
Would you like 70 see IT," said the boy at
the same time Offering II to him.
With eagerness and q trembling hand
he seized the locket, opened it and behel0
Lady Arlington and bis lost baby
Oscar In q snsport Of JOY he caught
up the boy In his arms. Yes, the poor
little beggar boy, aud cried 10. Oscar.
Oscar, my darling boy" The shouts OF
joy and surprise from the children
brought Lady Arlington TO the scene,
who was terrified. fearing that some &C.
cident had bsfallen her dear ones
Imagine her CONSERVATION at beholding
the family embracing a ragged little
urchin.
"What is the matter7 who Is heY
what does this mean2" she exclaimed ali
In breath
Lord Arlington could only hand her
the locket; one glance told all; with
piercing shrek, she clasped the child TO
her breast and tainted AS Soon as she
recovered, Lord Arlington took the boy
on his lap and proceeded to relate the
folio wing:
We had three children. Charles. Dot
and yourself. We we're taking sail in
our pleasure yacht, when a sudden squall
came up and swept you from your
mothers ANS We supposed yoE were
lost, but it seems you were miraculously
saved and directed to us that we might |
DO happy again.
'Oh, papa, said Dot, my little brother
shall have everything on my Christmas
tree And mine, too. said Charley, for
God has sent as the best Christmas pres
emit In the world"
R,has hlo,t-otn "a .ts. 81. r,,,.