Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-12-25
Little Bellies Christmas.


and altogether the sweetest and
most lovable child to be found any
where.
\ pretty child, too, was Little Tex
as, with her wealth OF golden curls,
blue eyes and sunny features. She
was a child OF the people.
No one ever seemed 70 know who
her parents were, nor what was her
real name. nor how or where she
lived. That she was poor was evident,
as she earned daily pittance by sell
ing flowers, mostly 10 the occupants
Of one OF the large office buildings on
Broadway.
She had a smiI" and a good word
for everybody, but was very reticent
as to her antecedents. Belle, she
said. was her name, and she lived, so
she stated, with an aunt somewhere
under the big bridge But whether
it was Belle Smith or Belle Jones the
child would never say
MY aunt does not wish me TO tell
my name" she would answer when
questioned on the subject.
Little Belle then-she was only ten
wears old-visited the various offices
in the big Broadway building each
morning. and the kind hearted men
bought her little punches OF violets
and roses, often paying many times
what they were worth, for little Belle
had such a 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.
II was finally accepted as matter OF
course. Little Belle was a mystery
In one OF the large offices OF the
great building one morning last week
a middle aged man. with full brown
beard and slouch hat, careless and
easy in his manners but well dressed
withal. sat discussing general topics
with party OF gentlemen there Ms
sembled.
Yes said the stranger. Christ
mas comes but once n year, ~ you
say, but that is just once too often
for me" At this there was genera
exclamation OF surprise on the part
Of his auditors. The stranger con
tinued:
1T is sad story and one that had
it's beginning on Christmas day siN
years ago. had one OF the prettiest
homes down in Texas then you ever
saw. Ny wife, she's dead now he
said with a sigh, and the sweetest
child. little girl with golden brown
hair and blue eyes. Little Belle was
her name.
I'VE had such n happy home too.
And that Christmas day. All, how
well remember it now. The child
had a nurse whom she used TO call
Auntie. Somehow never trusted that
woman much. Well, there's no use
in going into particulars. Little
Belle and her nurse went out Tor
walk on that Christmas morning
Neither the woman nor the child has
been seen since. Ny poor wife died
it broke he. heart. And |, well i
Want any flowers today, sirsT"
came from the voice OF a little child
who had just entered the Office.
My God! Whose child is that'
What's your name, girl' Who are
you?" came from the Texan in excited
tones.
Little Belle, the flower girl, for it
was she, stood irresolute for . mo-
ment, eying the stranger suspiciously.
Suddenly her basket dropped and
the light OF recognition shone in her
eyes why, you're my papa" she
said simply.
Tears streamed down the Texans
face as he clasped the child in his
arms.
Thank Godr' said he, Il have
found her at last, and 20 near Christ
mas, too. This is indeed a Christmas
blessingr'
Father and daughter left the office
together. II was afterward learned
that Bellies supposed aunt was the
nurse Who had kidnapped her and
brought her 10 this city six years
since. The men about the big build
ing heard OF it, and as little Belle had
gone to her Texan home the dsy fol
lowing a purse was made up among
them. aud one OF their number with
il purchased handsome silver cup,
which is now on its way south.
Little Texas, from many friends.
Merry Christmas!' was the inscrip-
tion on the cup.