Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1902-12-17

IL you near "QdC the OlO
4 @ man said to me when he
~ gave me the tenn" asked
49, Robert Allerton of the
%S& = brightfaced cashier as
VVG, they prepared to close the
Office the night before
Christmas. "He said: Take that and
make merry Christmas for your fam
ily.'"
"Well, wasn't that very appropri-
ate Christmas suggestion?" inquired
the cashier.
my family!" said the young man,
fercely. "You tell me where my fam
lily is, will you? Other fellows have
mothers and fathers and sisters to
make Christmas for. never had a
single soul on the face of the ear tn,
so far as know, that could call my
family. What good is Christmas, or
ten-dollar gold pieces, or anything,
for fellow who don't belong any
whereof 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 companion.
ut isn't merely good time want"
said Robert; ''I'm not a baby; it is to
have somebody that belongs to me to
make a good time for.''
''Why don't you adopt a 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 car; sorry I must CO.
Don't get blue: take my advice, adopt
family of your own for Christmas"
and the girl hurried away.
adopt 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, clear-brained, loving
hearted youth, candidate for sonship
to some loving mother or father; pos
sessed with perfect passion for help
ing those weaker than himself;
youth to make mothers heart su-
premely happy, and a father proud
and glad.
''I'm earning enough" thought Rob-
ert. 81 could support mother and a
sister, too; and I'm going to be pro-
! NOTED. Mr.. Wilkins, the manager,
Z told me so to-day. But what's the
use? 1t will only be few more dol
lars to put away in the bank. 1t does
Z seem as if things were pretty well
tangled up in this world sometimes.
I'd give up my job any day if could
!. have family like John Witherbee's,
j and yet he is always grumbling be-
+ cause he has to help a t home" :
NJ As Robert walked aimlessly down
81 the street, he found himself uncon-
sciously scrutinizing every woman and
child, with the idea of possible pro-
prietorship. ..-. .>....
II The door of church stood inviting
" open, and because Robert did not
6 belong anywhere in particular, he en-
Il tered and sat down in acorner Some
u thing unusual was evidently in prog
y ress. A man stood on the platform,
" and seemed to be acting as auc tioneer.
Who'll take them, family of
seven, two sick babies, three little
n girls, an old grandma other, and a lame
~ father? Deacon Bliss? I know your
u generous heart: you always bid for
s the biggest and hungriest, family.
The next one is a sick mother and
IL three small. children; Perhaps I'd bet.
~ ter stop to explain before Z proceed
b farther. I see there are a number 81
i n strangers who have come in since
iva ia liking. We. have 10 families on
our list for Christmas cele bration;
gSs :1no ny of them will know that to-mocr-
row is Chris tina s. unless you help us
tell them. N w, get in your bids
quick, for they are going fast. II Re
& member the. good Lord hos oever,
( and snap them up lively" and the
yoluble deacon pro edet with his list
Robert sat and list ed with added
Interest. Ii Ii t t'sS not such . preposter.
szs5 GUS idea, after al, this adopting q
family for Christmas 81 81 though he. "a 81
onder II there q re& any left that vii
g,
Here Il the last on my list x called
our the deacon; mot her and 4
esrE little " oman she II; "a two
title maid ems OF three and ten. hel