The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-25
1 PERSONAL RESEMBLANCE

well" said John Leidenhurst, draw
ing out a roll of bills, Il suppose you
all want some money for last things"
NO one contradicted him. He handed it
about lavishly. amid a chorus of thanks
Evelyn, his youngest niece, even gave
him an embrace of enthusiasm. You
are Always SO generous" she exclaimed.
Are the servants provided for,
Kate2" he asked of his sister. And the
postman, and the asflman. and the po-
Nceman?"
ION. yes. John. every one. Don't
worry You are always afraid some one
And the laundress2 And the scrub
woman that cleaned my Office last
springfield you buy her a turkey?"
Dear me, no. She broke that plate
glass and spilled pail of hot water
ber2''
Yes. yes; but it's Christmas eve. and
she's q poor thing, with a family Send
her something. Here, I'm afraid you
haven't enough"
He took another bill from his pocket.
Mrs. Turner gave little scream of
protest. You'd let US rob you right
and left If we would. You mustn't,
dear; you really mustn't. Well, if you
His nieces threw him an extra kiss
apiece from the doorway as he left the
house. On the downtown car he fell in
with several acquaintance, one OF two
OF whom WiSneQ MIN d DGTIunCIOTY
Merry Christmas" or prOffered the
compliments of the season. His Office
boy and the elevator man were ready
with the same good wishes, for which
they were literally rewarded.
During the day one man after another
and a number of philanthropic women
made their way to his private room. All
had much the same request-aid was
required In carrying out a thousand
and one plans for holiday good deeds
John B. Leidenhurst. the railroad mag
nate, was well known for his OPEN
handed liberality. They came to him
expectant of much, and no one went
away disappointed
He started uptown at night, distribut-
ing dimes and quarter dollars to the
newsboys and the apple woman and the
beggars who -swarmed about him. He
knew they regarded him as lawful prey,
but he did not mind His father had
made the fortune for him, he had never
married, and he had no more costly
taste to crafty than the love of Civ
ing.
Perhaps because it was not a novelty
to him, the thought for others did not
seem to Undue him especially with the
Christmas JOY. He watched the crowds
of shoppers, the bundle-1aden parents
and excited children, with a pang at his
heart that was almost like envy. To
himself he phrased it: Il wish we had
some youngsters at Hates. They're
what make the holidays" But it was
not this that was at fault It was rath-
er that as the Giver of all good Him
self requires something in return at
our hands, SO every being has his nat
ural desire to receive no less than to
give. There was an effort to reach the
poorest child in the city; no one thought
of reaching the richest man.
He sat up portly and prosperous in
his corner of the car. Men who got on
and off the platform glanced at him
and whispered to one another: Il wish
I had John B. Leidenhurst's money for
this one night Wouldn't we have a
Christmas at our house."
How could they guess that he felt
a poverty to which their own was
riches-the poverty of spirit, for which |
no blessing is promised. He rose,
finally. to give his seat to a shabbily |
dressed woman, who took another look
at him, and uttered little outcry:, |
"Oh, it's Mr.. Leidenhurst," she sdid |
TIN so glad, for was just going up
He looked his surprise, and she
added
Pm Emma Lynes, her that was cook |
for Mrs. Turner. You got my little girl
into the hospital. don't you rememb berg |
Her hips just as well as ever now"
The tail man bending down to catch |
the words she shrieked through the
din. frightened at this speech I'm
glad TO hear that, he said heartily
The mother gave a nervous laugh
Nothing would do but she must
make you Christmas present. I told
llel you were Tlcn ana could buy any
thing you liked, but she Gays. Folks
can't buy their own Christmas pres
ents: that's one thing we've got to do
for them So here it is. 1 hope you'll
excuse the liberty Mr. I.eidenhurst
and take it in the spirit it's meant
She drew from her pocket a small
package clumsily tied with red ribbon,
In which bit of holly was thrust
Across 1t Merry Christmas" was writ
ten in a childish, Uniformed hand
he opened the paper aWkwardly, one
nand clasping the strap loop from the
roof Inc mother, watching him. thought
the interest he showed was dictated by
pOuteness. but he was really curious as
70 what this unexpected gift might be-
1t was red tomato pincushion A rib
Don at one side was doubled into bow
a. II amt made very good" stammered
tne mother. And, of course, you get lots
OF handsome presents
NO, l don't" he said Your little girl
Is the first person who has given me any
!hng. What she says about Christmas
Is perfectly true-it is a time when we
ner Tor me, and tell her that 1 appreciate
her g!tt and her good wisbes?''
ne leIt the car at the next corner. He
walked across town. past brilliantly light
ca SHOPS he met more crowds, packags
puTdeheu. smiling and excited. But now
ne smiled with them. In his hand was
lne little pinCushiOn in his heart was
peace and good will toward men-Ruth |
Han In Household Ledger
nnNSD q n