Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1895-12-25
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CHRISTMAS
Wat&b.
BY Newton Hibbs.
Observation-Disclosures

~ne dark night, as the numbering stage halted
~ in front Of the old Luna House, a tall, dark
d man labored painfully to reach the office
assisted by the old German landlord
We'll Sharley," said we'll known merchant
who was with the company which had assembled
to see the stage come in We'll, Charley, vos id
you?'
yes" said Charley Graves to half dozen
questions from as many friends. Il made some
money in Florence and had decided to return to
St. Louis. On the road to-day fell and sustained
bad spran have almost decided to give up
the trip till spring.
The traveller talked briefly to many who were
eager for news from the camp, and then helped
to his room.
Tomorrow will be Christmas he murmured
to himself christmas has so often brought me-
disaster. With this dislocated knee l could not
make the journey by stage to The Dalles.'
He tossed about all night, worried with pain and
perplexities to find himself tired at the beginning
of another day There was a busy throng passing
in and out of the hotel and Charley Graves was un
noticed for while he sat behind the end of the
bar 10 guard his injured limb from the needless
kicks Of hurryng feet
A little boy, who had placed stack of fresh
linen npon the counter, turned and leaned lightly
against the swollen knee. The pain caused the
big man to vince but it brought forth no protest
restraining hand casped slender arm and
plying eyes met
is you sick?" said the sympathetic child of six
EYES, said Mr. Graves; land will you help me
just little? Will you go and tell the doctor to
Gomez"
The child bounded away, but as he passed out of
the door he fell heavily down the steps His head
struck upon stone. He was picked up and car.
ried to the doctors Office Those who saw the
accident did not know the little boy doing the
bidding of Mr.. Graves the wealthy mine owner
The child skillfuly treated aid restored to
his mother, Mrs. Arden.
This lady, widow, lived in log cabin not
more than one block from the Luna House. A
year before she to the hotel in search of her
husband. At the end of journey of three
thousand miles, she learned that her husband like
so many other husbands, had not resisted the
temptations that confronted him. year of de-
bauchery had ended by death in a drunken brawl.
There a new, unmarked grave The Hill
when Mrs. Flora Arden came to Lewiston that con-
cealed the disgrace of faithless Henry Arden. She
comey and youthful when she arrived on the
Walla Walla stage Many were the eyes that fol-
lowed her as she directed the REMOVAL of her bag
gage to her room.
On the morning of the second day Mrs Arden
sent for the landlord. With tears in her eyes she
related the circumstances of her distress She
made known the fact that she desired to pledge
her watch as security for small sum with which
to buy household goods which would enable her to
earn living by laundry work. The idea of re-
fined lady washing for living was shock to the
chivalrous men of Lewiston in that day. Her
pledges refused but subscription raised
sufficient tor all present needs which the sensitive
lady declined to accept. 1t was related that when
the watch was offered pledge for the loan, she
kissed the jeweled case and cried if she
parting from a hearts treasure. There were many
ready to offer assistance but the pledge
scorned like sacrilage.
The merchant, who, year later, first to
greet Charley Graves upon his arrival, heard of the
dilemma, and he volunteered to aid in the good
work.
II talk mid de Voman" he said, and took the
bag OF gold from the landlords hand and called
at the room that the center of all interest. He
found the lady in tears but he could smile and be
william STILL
The merchant was invited in and, closing the
door said:
Let me see dot votch;' and, looking it
said, II take him, and give you one hundred
dollars
'Oh, nor' cried Mrs Arden, II can't sell it!'
MOT sell id, not sell id, shust loan i'd, said the
merchant passing over the gold and slipping the
watch into his deep pocket.
All, ha!'' he chucked. dot goot got
a votch for my goot peesness. Dem fellows give
de gold got de votch--dey knows noting 'boud
i'd"
Mrs. Arden rented the little cabin nearby and by
sewing and washing made living and saved
money with which to redeem her watch.
1T was Christmas present. she said, land
VIII have money to redeem it on Christmas Day.
Charley Graves had seen the little boy carried
away and the blood stains were on the snow 3
Christmas, again. he said in a whisper
can't make somebody happy Ten years ago i
made present and have not known happy day
since. But that poor wasll-womans boy. | will
make him happy. He was hurt by trying to help.
me- 1
The merchant was offering greetings whep
Graves aroused from his musings This was the
opportunity for him to order present for the littte
DOy, but The dealer was not to know for whom af