The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-03-28
SAVING UNCLE TOM.

himself and his aged wife, and the people
had decided that the poorhouse was the
only place for them.
Little Gertie Folsom was taking her
breakfast with her father and mother and
listened to every word.
All the children liked Uncle Tom, for
be always had something pleasant to say
to 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
fast to him, like grapes to their stem. He
was uncle to the whole.
AS she thought over the situation of
kind Uncle Tom, Gertie's heart was very
sad. She felt sure there must be a way to
save him the disgrace of being a pauper.
Then she remembered how a lady lately
called on her mamma with a subscription
paper for charity of some sort. She rs
solved to get up a subscription for the
benefit of poor Uncle Tom.
Gertie, although only 9, could write
quite we'll. She was fond of writing let
ters to mamma, as if mamma were away
from home
Saying nothing to any person, she drew
up, all by herself, paper that read thus:
To the Charitable:
Thomas Alden is too sick to work and has
not got money to buy things with. 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 viii
Gertrude Folsom g cents).
Mamma - said Gertrude very serious.
ly, I've brought you this to sign
II am busy, dear, and can't attend to
you"
But, mamma, you don't know what II
is. There isn't time to wait. Please sign.
I have signed cents-an I had-and
Laura has signed her cents, and here is
BERTHE. He must sign :"
"Pooh'' returned her brother, with a
swell. Il should sign cents if anything.
What is itP''
1t is to save Uncle Tom from the
poorhouse.''
"Goodl Give me the paper" tt took
him nearly two minutes to write his
name. He cashed his subscription of q
half dime on the spot.
By this time their mother had become
interested. She read the paper, smiled a
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
wrote her name, Mrs. Margaret Folsom.
She paused, then made figure on the
line below Bertie's.
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, S, making her sub
scription SIS, Gertie was surprised and de-
~ .
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.
| Laura" she whispered to her 6-year-
old sister in hurry, cant you run and
ask uncle for some money for Uncle
TOMB"
Cert - was the pleased answer "I'll
help you get lots. -
An eager little voice cried, "Uncle
| Wessy, Uncle WessyI' and pair of little
arms clasped his knees SO that he could
not go on. "Give me some money"
He, thinking it only childish freak,
| drew out a jackknife and offered it to her.
mo, - said the child, give some cents. :"
|
asked
Poor Uncle Tom Don't you see Ger
ties skiption paper? We's signed all our
moneys"
| Still thinking it merely joke, her IN
| Gle gave Laura dime, saying:
You may give me back the change"
mo, uncle said Laura, II must keep
it all and buy something good for poor
man. -
rr..,o vr7..l.-- 1909 -. - A. - -
yond which Gertie was waiting shyly.
Without giving him time for inquiries
she passed him the paper.
well, we'll, returned her uncle, "this
is good beginning. l must do my part. "
Laying the paper on the top of gate
| post he produced a pencil and wrote
something.
(Which of you is treasurer" he in
CURED, holding $50 bill.
Gertie opened tiny portemonnaie.
''Thank you, dear Uncle Wessyi''
!. Don't lose it, cautioned Uncle Yves
ley. My money doesn't grow on bushes,
my dears and l intended this for another
use.'
The next to be invited was the chill
drens papa.
"You say you have given all your pen
niesP'
Eyes, papa,' replied the three
| l
your food and clothes?'
You can get some more" said BERTHE.
''Give enough to make sure Uncle Tom
needn't go to the poorhouse, - begged Ger
tie.
$50 WILL" said her father earnestly.
LAS long as I can keep him out be 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
subscription paper was covered with names
and quite a large amount had been raised
| for Uncle Tom.
More than one man, upon finding ii
was her own idea, and seeing how modest
ly she persevered, told Gertie to come again
| when this money was all spent
All the village wondered they had not
thought of taking hold of poor old Uncle
Toms case. No one felt the poorer for
what he had given. They settled it that
some of them should visit the old couple