The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1910-01-01
A LONELY MANS CHRISTMAS.
A Story for the Little Folks, Written for
the New World by Mary ]. Lupton.

the New World by Mary j. Lupton.
Uncle joe they called him. Of course he had
another name, but nobody ever asked him what it
was To grown people and children alike he was
Main "Unce joe" That's what he signed to his
newspaper stories and poems and that's what the
grocer and the butcher and the laundryman called
him.
Writing stories for newspapers is not the most
lucrative employment in the world; but with 65
years rounded out to his credit and no friends left
10 care what became of him, Uncle Joe was glad
he still could weave a tale and rhyme line or two
however poor or tardy the pay. To one or two
charitable editors who knew him in his younger
days he indebted for the acceptance of his con-
trbutions, and when at intervals of perhaps three
or four months, the mail man would bring him an
important" letter. the old fellows face would take
on happy expression which never seemed to leave
it till the substantial contents of the letter would
be all spent
Uncle Joe lived in little room on the top floor
Of large tenement house. Here, surrounded by his
books and papers, he spent quiet, lonely life I'M
disturbed by little Mlly his 10-year-old neigh
Dor of the floor below, who stole upstairs nearly
every day to see if there were anything she could
do for the old man. To talk to him, and once in
While to hear some of his wonderful stories more
than recompensed Milly for her time and patience
On Thanksgiving day there was party at Millys
house and In the excitement and pleasure the lit
tie girl almost forgot her usual visit to Uncle joe
1t was nearly o'clock when she knocked timidly at
his door to ask him if he needed anything.
Come in, honey" he called, feeby. 1--we been
looking out for you all day. I'm feeling lonely.
somehow, and my rheumatism is getting worse and
worse"
That's too bad Uncle Joe. I suppose it is the
weather. I'll shake up the fire and light the gas
and pull down the shades, and your room will be
more cosy"
She set about like little woman to straighten
up things. The old man looked on from his seat
at the window and chatted with her as she moved
about.
Had YOU a nice party today, Millyr
Yes, Uncle Joe; all my aunts and uncles and
lots OF little cousins were over with us for lunch
and dinner. We had turkey and then we had
games and singing and-oh, real good time. Did
you 60 any place, Uncle Joe?"
m No. child; L am getting too old to go anywhere.
Inc grocer's boy brought my dinner and I ate
1t here all alone had no turkey, either"
lhly stopped in her work She was thinking 1t
was happy thought she was thinking too, for
Enen she turned it over in her mind few times
s4e eapped her hands with JOY ard jumped around
me room in glee until Uncle Joc -r1aht she would
surely break every bit of furnitEg the place
What IS 1t all about, Mily, Gil: What's TAX
I'll possession of you? Have you lost your senses 2"
Oh no, no! I've just got plan in my head and
must be kept secret. l can't even tell you, Uncle
o0e and you'd never be able to guess Good night,
now n and don't forget to turn off the gas"
he next day and the next, and every day for
iouf weeks Uncle Joe tried to get Miys secret from
1e but that brave little heart refused to divulge it.
christmas day arrived with the first fall of snow
VI lne year From his window seat, where his rheu-
-laOlsm now kept him a constant prisoner, Uncle
'oe could see the roofs of the houses across the
sueeI Not a very inspiring landscape, you will
Fay yet, like Santa Claus, Uncle Joe made many
Il, IL
u MS imagination talked with the happy or I'M
HdpPy people he found below.
q am a lonely old man" he would often say, "but
NeIe are others worse off than l.
-: must write holiday story today" he unused.
II Christmas and nobody is likely to come in
suppose even Milly viii forget me today"
ne ne took his pencil and paper and jotted down
E 5 ute OF his story: "a Lonely Christmas" He
un get any further, however, for his thoughts
eIe distracted by the sound of approaching foot
;n.si There seemed to be a great many feet climb
IS .Ile stars! Probably it was visitors going to the
. rjly across the hall He was interested now,
ar g ne put his pencil down and sat back to listen
GOV !" participate much as he might in the well
t winch was sure to be accorded them when
reached the door.
coo IN they came They were nearing the top. He
5or au near suppressed voices now They were young,
maa " yolces. Of course, why mott 1t Christ
tbo,.I' me season of hope and good cheerl The
ner esll seemed mockery to him. He took up his
lmaoi AGAIN to begin his story, when he heard
rIN at his door not at the door across the hall.
i ~ surely be a mistake he thought.
po,'. stumbled to the door, glad even of the OPP
Wbsu1iiIy to look upon his neighbor's friends.
H+ he opened it. the sight almost overpowered
nea Tor 1t looked though all the children in the
crv az were standing outside his door,
u Merry Christmas. merry Christmas. Uncle