The daily Republican., 1902-12-09

Office the night before
Christmas. "IIe sad Take that and
make merry Christmas for your fam
lily"
"Well. wasn't that very appropri-
ate Christmas suggestion?' inquired
the cashier.
| "My family" said the young man,
tierceIy. you tell me where my fam
| lily is, will you? Other fellows have
mothers and fathers and sisters to
make Christmas for. | never had IA
single soul on the face of the earth,
SO far as | know, that could call my
family. What good is Christmas. or
ten-dollar gold pieces, or anything
for a fellow who don't belong any
where" and Robert gulped down
! something that sounded suspiciously
like a sob
Cheer up, and come over to our
house tomorrow; we'll help YOU to
forget your troubles" said his tender
hearted companions.
1T isn't merely good time want"
said Robert; I'm not IA baby; it is TO
have some body that belongs to me to
make good time for.'
"Why don't you adopt a family of
your own for Christmas?" asked the
girl. with 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 Christmas for them.
There's my car; sorry | must 60.
Don't get blue; take my advice. adopt
family of your own for Chris imas,"
and the girl hurried away.
Adopt 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 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, ciearbrained, loving
hearted youth, candidate for sonship |
10 some loving mother or father; pos
sessed with,a perfect passion for help
ing those weaker than himself; a
youth to make Il mothers heart su-
premely happy, and father proud
and glad.
lin earning enough thought Rob-
ert. 81 could support mother and
sister, too; and I'm going to be pro-
moted. Mr.. wilkins. the manager.
told me 30 today But what's the
use? 1t will only be few more dol
lars TO pul ava, in he bank It does
seem rs if things were pretty well
tangled up in this world sometimes.
I'd give up my job any day if I could
have IA family like John Withrrbec's.
and yet he is uIwaNS grumbling he
,anse he has to help at home"
As Robert walked aimlessly down
The street, he found himself mcon-
sciousl y scrutinizing every woman an,
,hiId, with the idea Of possible pro-
,riet orShip.
The door Of a church stood inviting
y open and because Robert did not
belong anywhere in particular, he en-
cred and SAT down in corner. Some
hing unusual WAS evidently in prog
'ess. \ man stood on the plat form.
md seemed o be acting as uctiuneer.
"Who'l take them. family of
even. two Sick bab abieS, three little
'irls an old grandmother. and lame
atner: Deacon Bliss? know YOUR
heart: You always bid for
he biggest and hungriesU family.
he next one is a SICK mother and
hree small children. Perhaps Id bet G
er stop to explain before proceed
arther. | see there are number of
trangSrs who have come in since | S
vas talking. We have T. families ON
nr list for Christmas celebrations: &
one OF them will know that 1o-mor- ,
oW is Christmas unless You help US {
0 tell them. Now, get in your bids |
uick, for they are going fast. Re ,
lember the good Lord. 'Whosoc,er,' !
nd snap them up lively" and the y
oluble deacon proceeded with his lis J.
Robert sat and listened with added a
lterest. ITS not such a prepos,er.
us idea, after all. this adopting a II
'mily for Christmas, thought he. II il
onder II there are any left that will Il
my case" $
Here's the last on my list" called v
ut the deacon; 50 m0ther-and G
ear little woman she is. too and two il
tile maiGens Of three aud ten: her "