The herald., 1895-03-25
HOW GERTIE
SAVED UNCLE TOM FROM
THE POORHOUSE

One morning at break fast Mr.. and Mrs
Folsom talked pitifully about neighbor,
who was called Uncle Tom in the village.
Sick and poor, he could no longer support
himself and his aged wife, and the people
had decided that the poorhouse was the
/, pnly place for them.
Little Gertie Folsom was taking her
break fast with her father and mother and
listened to every word
All the children liked Uncle Tom, for
be always had something pleasant to say
10 them. Ever since Gertie learned to walk
she had habit of trotting into the street
TO meet him and put up small hand for
his large, bony one to clasp
Often the old man reached his cabin
with cluster Of little villagers holding
last to him, like grapes to their stem. He
r was uncle to the whole.
= AS she thought over the situation Of
i Kind Uncle Tom, Gorties heart was very
/, sad She felt sure there must be way to
save him the disgrace of being a paupor.
Then she remembered how lady lately
called on her mamma with subscription
paper for charity Of some sort. She re-
solved to get up a subscription for the
benefit of poor Uncle Tom.
Gertie, although only 8, could write
quite we'll. She was fond of writing let
ters to mamma, as IL mamma were away
from home.
Saying nothing to any person, she drew
zup all by herself, a paper that read thus:
To the Charitable
L. Thomas Alden is too sick to work and has
not got money to buy things with. l can't
bear to hear them say he will be obliged to go
TO the poorhouse. If everybody who knows he
Is an excellent man will sign and give some
money, he will be ever SO thankful, and SO will
Gertrude Folsom g cents).
Mamma, said Gertrude very serious
ly 1--WE brought you this to sign"
II am busy, dear, and can't attend to
you"
But mamma you don't know what 1t
Is. There isn't time to wait. Please sign
] have signed 3 cents-all l had-and
Laura has. signed her 2 CENTS and here is
! BERTHE. He must sign 3.
= "Pooh!' returned her brother, with
IA il swell II should sign cents if anything
What is itS''
1T is to save Uncle Tom from the
poorhouse.
"Goodl Give me the paper 1t took
Z him nearly two minutes to write his
/. name. He cashed his subscription of
half dime on the spot.
BY this time their mother had become
interested. Sh read the paper, smiled
little, and the children thought they saw
tear in her eye She had always wished
her young daughters to grow up kind and
helpful to those in need, so she could but
f., encourage Gertie in her undertaking. She
wrote her name Mrs. Margaret Folsom.
She paused, then made figure on the
line below Bertie's.
"'- Il expected, mamma, DEAR" said the
little girl, eagerly watching the pen,
''maybe you'd give a quarter. She seemed
disappointed.
But when her mother placed before the
figure this character, $, making her sub
Bcription So Gertie was surprised and de-
lighted. Uncle Tom go to the poorhouse?
Why, no. He would soon be rich.
While the child was thinking whom to go
to next her Uncle Wesley came down the
street and was about to pass the house.
She started to appeal to him, but at the
thought of Offering her subscription paper
outside of her own family her heart began
TO fail her.
y Laura" she whispered to her 6-year-
old sister in hurry, cant you run and
ask uncle for some money for Uncle
Tomi'
'Cert'n, " was the pleased answer. "In
help you get lots. "
An eager little voice cried, "Uncle
Wessy Uncle Wessyl' and pair of little
arms clasped his knees SO that he could
not 60 on. "Give me some money"
He thinking it only a childish freak,
s,,drew out jackknfe and offered it to her.
mo, said the child, sgive some cents"
What for little highwaymanp" he
nsked
Poor Uncle Tom Don't you see Ger
ties skiption paperP We's signed all our
moneys"
Still thinking 1t merely joke, her un-
Gle gave Laura dime. saying:
1as' "You may give me back the change"
mo, uncle" said Laura, 81 must keep
st all and buy something good for poor
man."
Uncle Wesley went up to the gate, be-
yond which Gertie was waiting shyly.
~ Without. giving him time for inquiries
she passed him the paper
VI "Well, well" returned her uncle, "this
is a good beginning. 1 must do my part. -
Laying the paper on the top of gate
post, he produced pencil and wrote
something.
"a, Which of you is treasurer" he in
quired, holding a $50 bill.
Gertie opened a tiny portemonnaie.
''Thank you, dear Uncle Wessyl"
- Don't lose it," cautioned Uncle Wes-
ley my money doesn't grow on bushes,
my dears and intended this for another
use"
'gsa The next to be invited was the chill
tsdren papa.
T. You say you have given all your pen
nies9"
Eyes papa" replied the three.
''But if give all money who will buy
your food and clothes?"
, ~ Y ou can get some more" said BERTHE.
Give enough to make sure Uncle Tom
needn't 60 to the poorhouse,, begged Ger
ss'tie.
$50 WILL" said her father earnestly.
"As long as I can keep him out he shall
be, never fear"
The earnest young worker now ventured
out among their neighbors, nor did she
pause in her charity work till the little
q subscription paper was covered with names
and quite a large amount had been raised
!, for Uncle Tom.
More than one man, upon finding it
was her own idea, and seeing how modest
> ly she persevered, told Gertie to come again
when this money was all spent. e@
a.. All the village wondered they had not
t1f tobi holl ,f al 4 l.