Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1897-10-27
UNCLE TOMS FRIEND.

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
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
he always had something pleasant to say
to them Ever since Gertic learned to walk
she had a habit Of trotting into the street
to meet him and put up u 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, Gerties heart was very
sad. She felt sure there must be way to
save him the disgrace of being pauper.
Then she remembered how a lady lately
called on her mamma with subscription
paper for a charity of some sort. She re-
solved to get up subscription for the ben
eft of poor Uncle Tom.
Gertie, although only 8, could write
quite well. She was fond of writing let
tiers to mamma, as if mamma We're away
from home. Saying nothing to any per
son, 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 60
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 (3 cents).
Mamma" said Gertrude very serious
ly, "I've brought you this to sign. /"
"Iam busy dear, and can't attend to
you"
but, mamma, you don't know what it
is There ism t time to wait. Please sign.
/ have signed 3 cents-all I had--and
Laura has signed her 2 cents and fere Is
Berthe. Ho must sign cents.
''Pooh!' returned her brother, with d
swell II should sign cents, if anything
What is it?"
lit is to save Uncle Tom from the poor
house"
Good Give me the paper" 1t took
him nearly two minutes to write his
name He cashcd his subscription of II
half dime on the spot.
BY this time their mother had become
interested. She read the paper, smiled
little, and the children thought they saw
a 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
encourage Gertie in her undertaking. She
wrote her name, Mrs. Margaret Folsom.
She paused then made a figure on the
line below Berties.
81 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
scription s., 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 tho
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 6year-
old sister in q hurry, 'can It you run and
ask uncle for some money for Uncle
Toms" "Cert'n "was the pleased answer.
"Ill help you get lots "
An eager little voice cried, "Uncle Wes-
sy, Uncle Wessy'' and pair of little arms
clasped his knees SO that he could not go
on. "Give me some money"
He, thinking it only II childish freak,
drew out iackknife and offered it to her.
''No" said the child 'give some cents. y
"What for, little highwayman?" he
asked.
sPoor Uncle Tom. Don't you see Ger
ties skiption paper? We's signed all our
moneys.
Still thinking it merely joke, her un-
Gle gave Laura dime, saying:
''You may give me back the change"
"No, uncle" said Laura, II must keep
it all and buy something good for poor
man.
Uncle Wesley went up to the gate, be
yond which Gcrtie was waiting shyly.
Without giving him time for inquiries she
passed him the paper
'Well, well, " returned her uncle. "This
is a good beginning I must do my part "
Laying the paper on the top of q gate
post, he produced a pencil and wrote
something
(Which of YOU is treasurer" he in
uuired, holding a $40 bill.
Gertie opened a tiny portmonnaie
"Thank you, dear Uncle Wessy!'
"Don't lose it, cautioned Uncle Wes-
lev. ''My money doesn't grow on bushes,
INV dears, and | intended this for another
use."
The next to be invited was the chill
dren q mana.
"You say you have given all your pen
niesY"
eyes. papa," replied the three
"But If I rive all nv money who will
buy your food and clothesg"
HYon can oct some more. - said BERTHE,