The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-21
Josiah Ora ifs and jamie b own.

Josiah Crafts and Jamie u own.
They were close comrades, although
they were not near OF kin. or near each
others age, and it al came about in this
way: Josiah Crafts. who was known
throughout the country thereabouis as
Uncle Josiah because all the children
loved him SO well. mved half way up the
side OF the Three Mile nm lie said he
was living on borrowed time. as now he
had past the allotted time spoken Of in
the Bible. his three score and ten. But
nobody thought of Uncle Josiahs being
old. 1t would seem as il his hair had
grown silvery long before the usual time,
his heart was so younB and so full of
sympathy win every child with whom he
car.e i'm contact.
Every boy and gir who knew Uncle
Josiah" knew that it was perfectly safe
TO deposit their condolences in his keeping,
and as for advice. thy all felt that
his wisdom Was not to be questioned
He was the oracle of that part Of the
country. No enterprises were started by
the young people without Uncle Josiahs
help ana hearty approval.
One cold winters day in the beginning
Of the year, Josiah Crafts came home
from the village with his weekly newspa-
per in his hand. and, after taking off
his big ulster and his fur cap. he drew
his chair up to the fire and began TO read
IT.
MARY Ann" he called out. after he
had been reading to himself for a little
while; MARY Ann. just hear this"
As he spoke these words a little, CHEEKY
faced woman. with a crown of silver
hair on her head, came out Of the pam
try. She took up her knitting. red
mitten. boys size. which she was narrow.
ing off, and sat down in a small rocking
chair covered with bright-cOlOred
chintz. Then Uncle Josiah read
about the suffering among the poor in
the city. so many men out of employment.
what pity" he said that some Of
them could not get out into the country
TO live" He discussed the different pro-
jects the newspapers. the religious people
and the city officials were considering
to make the condition Of their unfortunate
class better.
IL wish we could DO something about
this natter Uncle Josiah said, az he
laid his newspaper down. and went out
TO do his evening chores at the barn.
lie was very tired that night. and the
drive in the cold air had made him sleepy.
50 when he came in he fell asleep in his
chair. The old cat purred on the rug at
his feet, and the dog slept on the mat by
the stove. His wife was setting up the
stitches for the mate 10 the red mitten
she had just finished There were no chill
dren In Uncle Joaiahs house, so II was
plain to be seen that the mittens were
going TO some boy who lived elsewhere.
one hundred miles away from Three
Mile Hill' woman was finishing off
some shop work IN a room on the fifth
floor Of tenement-house. 4 boy was
asleep on "A cot in one corner of the room
His mother had just been tucking the
quilt in tighter. for Jamie seemed TO be
80 restless, ana every once I'm n while he
called out in his sleep. "Cash Here.
CASH. Hurry upl Oh, how my legs achei
but I'm coming, I'm coming. fast as /
can"
ITS all on account Of that holiday
shopping that JAMES so overdone. Folks
don't seem to have any mercy on the
cash girls and boys at Christmas time
And when the folks behind the counter
and the hoOr-walkers get tired and things
80 wrong. they scold the "cash." just as
il they were to blame. once the man on
the first floor shook jamie when he was
hurrying as fast as he could. Oh. dear
me, how / do wish folks who go 10 buy
their gifts at that time would be more
thorghtful about the extra work Of the
clerks and cash boys"
Jamie got more quiet after a time, and
after Mrs. Brown had put on the buttons.
the garments were finished, and she went
70 sleep. too.
In another part Of the city young
girl sat I'm her pretty room so daintily
furnished i'm white and gold. She had been
out 10 an entertainment. and had just
taken off her wraps. There. have
I1s-.rr 81
thought OF them Christmas. and they are
in nv district. too I guess ] will give up
beinr a district visitor ! have not the
time 10 attend to the duties properly;
tac social gaiaties have begun now, and
+ cannot Give the time 20 the work ]
ought"
Eleanor Gibson had been very ethusias-
tie over her v 1rk when she first took hold
OF n but other things had come In 10
FIJI IN her life AMI she had FORGOTTEN the
roor resr 10 who had been male SO hap
nv. having the pretty, bright young iady
come in 10 see them now and them.
,oust send the Browns something to-mor-
row" and with this purpose in her mind'
Eleanor Gibson fell asleep.
81 am so glad went to the Browns To-
dav mamma" she eaid. the neSt s''er-
noor "IamIe IL overdone with the holiday
10y AZ the. store. and is quite III. left
word al Or. Graves's Office Tor MIN 70 go
over and sec jamie. J don't know why II
a. hat / have always been especially at
,-acted tn that boy. I wish some person
lad him who could educate him and start
h,r, IN life Dear me- what a problem TO
know why some OF us have so much and
others SO little Of this worlds goods and
opportunities" -, oo,,r.
trv saii Or Graves to his interes'tn
,,c,,,, visitor shortly afterwards
Country In the winter 'ioctor?
.r,lc,s your heart. child, the country n'r
,n the winter Is lust as iife-sy'ng ara
saving as III the summer. Or. Graves WAS