The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1902-12-26


Robert Allerton Of the
N&s bright-faced cashier as
W they prepared 10 close the
Office the night before
Christmas. He said: Take that and
make merry Christmas for your fam
ily.'-
well. wasn't that a very appropri-
ate Christmas suggestion inquired
the cashier.
NY family" said the young man.
fercely. You tell me where my fam
lily is. viii you? Other fellows have
mothers and fathers and sisters 20
make 4 Christmas for. ! never had
single soul on the face Of the earth.
so far as know. that ! could call my
family. What good i Christmas. or
ten-dollar gold pieces. or anything,
for fellow who don't belong any
where and Robert gulped down
some thing that sounded suzpiciously
ike sob.
Cheer up. and come over 10 our
house tomorrow; Wen help you TO
forget your troubles" said his tender
hearted companion
1T isn't merely good time want
said Robert. I'm not baby. il is 10
have somebody that belongs 10 re to
make a good time for"
why don't you adopt family OF
your OWE for Chris;mas9" 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
any one to make Christmas for them
There's my car; sorry l must 60.
Don't get blue; take my advice. adopt
a family Of your own FOR Christmas"
and the girl hurried away
Adopt a family. great idea.- 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 q a
real. live family
He stood on the corner. undecided
where to 60. because 1t did not really
matter 10 anybody where he went: .
brirht-eyed. clear-brainec. loving
hearted youth. candidate for sonship
10 some loving mother or father. pos
sessec with perfect passion for help
ing those weaker than himself: q
youth to make 1 mothers heart su-
prenely happy, and father proud
and glad
I'm earning enough thought Rob
ert. Il could support mother and .
sister. too; and I'm going 10 be pro-
noted. Mr.. wilkins. the manager.
told me 50 to-day But what's the
use, II viii only be few more dol
lars TO put away in the bank II does
seem as If things were pretty well
tangled up in this world sometimes.
ia give up my job any day II ! could
have a family Ike John Wi;herbee.s,
and yet he is always grumbiinr be-
cause he has 70 help at home
as Robert walked aimlessly down
the street. he found himself uncon-
sciousiy scrutinizing every woman and
child. with the idea of possible pro-
rrietorshiP-
The door az church stood inviting
IN opsn. and because Robert 6id not
belong anywhere in particular he en-
tered and sat down in corner. Some
thing unusual was evidently in prog.
ress- A man stood on the platform.
and seemed 10 be acting as auctioneer
who'll take them. q family o.
seven. two sick babies. three little
girls. an old grandmother. and lame
fathcrr Deacon Bliss ! know your
generous heart. you always bid foE
the biggest and hungriesJ family
The next one is sick mother and
three small children. Perhaps I'c be-.
ter stop to explain before proceed
farther. I see there are a Number o.
strangers who have come in since
was talking. We have IL families on
orr list for q Christmas celebration;
none ~ them viii know that to-mor
row Is Christmas unless Won help nj
70 tell them. Now. ret in your bids
quick. for they are going fast Re
member the good Lords 'Nhosoerer-
and snap them up lively" and thu
veluble deacon proceeded with his list
Rober. sat and listened with acces
interest. -.It's not such = preposter
ous idea. after all. this adopting
family for Chrissmas.- thought he. :
sonc-r il tkers are any left that wil
IL ny case
Here's the last on my list cailt'
! GU. the deacon: "A mother-anc
} dear little woman she is. tcc-2nc TT
little msidens Of three and zen. he
aaly son killed in raiirosd a.<isss