Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1902-12-20

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&FM~@N%A III you near WIlAL lHC Oid
NsSH y bright-faced cashier as
VQI they prepared to close the
Office the night before
Christmas. 'Ae said: Take that and
make d merry Christmas for yourfam-
ny.'"
well, wasn't that a very appropri-
ate Christmas suggestionp' inquired
the cashier.
my family" said the young man,
ferceiy. "You tell me where my fam
lily Is. will your Other fellows have
mothers and fathers and sisters to
make a Christmas for. | never bad q
single soul on the face OF the earth,
so far as / know, that ] could call my
family. What good IL Christmas, or
ten-dollar gold pieces, o. anything,
for 4 fellow who don't belong any
where Z" and robert gulped down
something than sounded su~spiciously
like a sob.
Cheer up, and come over to u
house ~to-morrow; wen help you TO
forget your troubles" said his tender
hearted companion.
1T isn't merely a good time ! want"
said Robert: Pm not a baby; it IL to
have somebody that belongs to me to
make a good time for"
why don't you adopt q family of
your own for Christmas?" asked the
girl, with a sudden inspiration.
Robert stared at her IN amazement.
"But, really, why couldn't you?
There are thousands Of people, young
and old, in this city, who never have
anyone to make a Christmas for them.
There's my ear; sorry | must go.
Don't get blue; take my advice, adopt
a family Of your own for Christmas"
and the girl hurried away.
Adopt a family, great ideal" said
Robert to himself; but the idea still
fingered in his mind, and really there
was something strangely fascinating
in the thought of the ownership Of a
real. live family.
He stood on the corner, undecided
where to go, because it did not really
matter to anybody where he went; a
bright-eyed. c~lear-brained, loving
hearted youth. candidate for sonship
TO some loving mother or father; pos
sessed with a perfect passion fer help
ing those weaker than himself; d
youth "a make a mothers heart su-
premely happy. and a father proud
and glad.
I'm earning enough" thogght Rob
ert. Il could support a mother and a
sister. too; and I'm going 10 be pro.
NOTED. Mr.. Wilkins, the manager.
told me SO to-day. But what's the
use? It will only be a few more dol
lars TO put away in the bank 1T does
seem as If things we're pretty well
tangled up 10 this world sometimes.
I'd give mp ms job ans day II / could
have a familr like John Witherbee,s.
and yet he is always grumbling be-
cause he has TO help at home"
AS Robert walked aimlessly down
the street. he found himself uncon-
~sciously sc~rutiniziug every woman and
child, with the idea of possible pro-
prietorship.
The door of a church stood inviting
ly open, and because Robert did not
belong anywhere in particular. he en-
tered and sat down in a corner. Some
thing unusual was evidently in prog
ress. A man stood on the platform.
and seemed TO be acting as auctioneer.
who'll take them, a family of
seven, two sick babies, three little
girls, an old grandmother, and a lame
father? Deacon Bliss? | know your
generous heart; you always bid for
the biggest and hungriesti family.
The next one is a sick mother and
three small children Perhaps I'd bet
ter stoD to explain before | proceed
farther. 1 see there are a number Of
strangers who have come in since I
was talking. We have ~ families on
our list for a Christmas celebration:
none Of them will know that to-mor-
row is Christmas unless you help US
to tell them. Now, get in your bids
quick, for they are going fast. Re-
member the good Lords whatsoever
and snap them up lively" and the
voluble deacon proceeded with his
list.
Robert sat and listened with added
sits not such a preposter-
Gus idea, after all, this adopting a
family for Christmas" thought he. 81
wonder if there are any left that win
fit my case"
Here's the last on my hst," called
out the deacon; 20 mother-and a
dear little woman she is, too--and two
maidens Of three and ten; her
only o killed in a railroad accident