The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-12-24
LITTLE BELLIES CHRISTMAS.

Thrilling Reunion of Father and Child
the Eve of the Coming Holiday.
Livery one who knew Little Texas"
ar ed that she was the most amiable and
al. gether the sweetest and most lOvable
child to be found anywhere.
y pretty child, toe, WIS Little Texas,
vii her wealth OF golden curls, blue eyes
AMI sunny features.
she WAS II child Of the people.
No one ever seemed to know who hcI
parents were, nor what was her real name,
nor how or where she lived That she was
poor was evident, as she earned daily Il pit
tancc by selling flowers, mostly to the
occupants Of one Of the large office build
inL7 on lower Broadway.
She had smile 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 ques-
toned on the subject.
Little Belle then-she was only ten years
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 sweet smile of thanks for
those who purchased her wares.
From day to day the child sold her flow
ers, 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
building one morning last week a middle
aged man, with n full brown beard and
SLOUGH hat, careless and easy in his man
ncr5, but well dressed withal, sat discuss
ing general topics with party of gentle
men there assembled.
Yes" said the stranger, "Christmas
comes but once a year, rs you say, but that
is just once too often for me-" At this
there was general exclamation of sur
prise on the part Of his auditors. The
stranger continued:
at il II sad story and one that had it:
beginning on Christmas day six years ago
| had one of the prettiest homes down il
Texas then you ever saw. My wife, shes
dead now" he said with a sigh, land tn,
sweetest child, Il little girl with COLDER
brown hair and blue eyes. Little Bell
WAS her name.
I'VE had such "A happy home too. An'
that Christmas day. All, how well / re
member it now. The child had Il nurs
whom she used to call Auntie Somehow
i never trusted that woman much. Well
there's 10 Use i'll going into particulars
Little Belle and her nurse went out for
walk on that Christmas morning. Neithe
the woman nor the child has been seel
since. My poor wife died-it broke he
heart. And ], well p
want any flowers today, sirs?" cam
from the voice of a little child who had jus
entered the office.
"My God! Whose child is that? What
your name, girls Who are your" cam
from the Texan in excited tones.
Little Belle. the flower girl, for it wa
she, stood irresolute for moment, eyin
the stranger suspiciously. Suddenly he
basket dropped and the light of recogn
ton shone in her eyes. why, you're IN
papa" she said simply.
Tears streamed down the Texans face q
he clasped the child in his arms.
THANK Godp' said he, 81 have found he
at last, and so near Christmas too. Thi
is indeed a Christmas blessingp'
Father and daughter left the Office tC
gether. 1t was afterward learned tina
Bellies supposed aunt was the nurse VIII
had kidnapped her and brought her to thi
city six years since. The men about tn
big building heard of it, and as little Bell
had gone to her exam home the day 70
lowing "A purse was made up among them
and one Of their number with it purchase
handsome silver cup, which is now on it
way south.
Little Texas, from many friends. Merr
Ciristmas"' was the inscription on tn
Cup.-New York Herald