Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-01-14
WHEN EAST AND WEST
MEET
(For The GaZette

The sun mas Sent IT'S iaoe
the little western village OF Goooton'
The people had finished their work
and in big old fashioned farmhouse,
there was a happy family of SIX: two
girls Elizabeth with golden hair and
clear blue eyes, Edmonia with coal
ayes of grav; two handsome boys,
lawrence the oldest of the four, and
Emery, between the two glrls. AZ
each side of the fireplace IN large, cozy
chairs sat Father and Mother Glass,
and in front, sat the merry TOUR
roasting chestnuts and narshmailo"s'
and telling stories.
Edmonia the youngest of all, had
just reached the age OF seven. Ier
little soul was thrilled with the
thought that she was permitted TO go
to school and study like her big
brothers and sisters. However, as
time passed and her brothers and sis
tiers finished school and college, they
found the other halves of their hearts
and soon had homes of their own.
Edmonia had by this time, grown
into a beautiful fower-like girl. 1t
made her mother and father happy to
have her around, for she was always
bright, and singing, in a SOFT tender
way, which made one feel as II there
were a paradise on earth. Through
the golden wheat and corn fields she
often wandered, and now and then she
would whisper to them and tell no"
much she loved them.
Out in the woods, beautiful clear
stream of water flowed, which was
watched by strong, stately sentinel
oak with arms as strong as IRON. we
dare not ask what this great tree
knew, for there Edmonia told the sec
ret of her heart. Often she would go
and sit at the feet of the guardian
tree to sing or play on her violin. The
robins and the little squirrels, the
rabbits and the inhabitants OF the
woods knew and loved his gentle
happy girl.
One golden afternoon when the
fields lay dry and brown she went
to her favorite spot by the brook, to
dream away her fancies. While she
was deeply meditating, she heard a
faint cry as if from human some
where in the forest. In flash she
was up and searching for the cry
After listening at intervals, she To-
lated the cry. Beside a great oak
tree sat a bright eyed boy about the
age of nine. All the love of mother
rose in the girls soul, She put hel
arms. around him gently and stood
him on his feet.
Little boy" Edmonia said, "why
arc you crying?"
81 am tired and hungry"
Wouldn't you like to so to my
home to stay?"
Eyes. If it is a nice sweet home
where there are no mean people to
whip me-"
my home is lovely and will take
you there and then we'll get you al!
nice and clean"
Off they went hand in hand to the
house. AS soon as Edmonia entered
her home she called out, 20 Mother
ook what l have found in the woods
We must. put clean clothes on him
and make him warm and comfortable
Haven't Mop, spHle'of Lawrence's or
Emery's clothes in your trunk ?"
Eyes dear, /, have; and you may
use them. But what are you going to
do with the little man? You ought to
put a notice in the paper and see if
any one claims him."
81 shall Mother, as soon as I find
out if Jane will battle and dress him
for me- If no one claims him, may |
keep him, or would you think it best
TO let the Red Cross take charge of
him"
"Edmonia, go and do what YOU
have said and then we'll talk later of
what to do"
While she went to town, Jane made
the little man comfortable and gave
him story book to read.
AS soon as Edmonia returned, she
hunted UP the child, who was in the
living room, curled upon couch and
deeply interested in the book. She
proceeded Immediately to name him
Edward, her favorite name.
whats your name? 2" asked the lit
tie boy, looking at her with wide
eyes.
"My name is Edmonia Glass and /
have given you the name of Edward" "
"O-c-e, | like it, cause you gave it
to me-"
Edward, we are going TO have some
nice things to eat that will make you
fat and healthy; but tell me, how did
you come to be in the woods %
With this question, Edward sat
straight up and caught Edmonia by
the hand
"This morning didn't please the
man who said he was my father anc
he whipped me and then told me to gu
and never. come back to his house
again | went and when came to the
tree here you found me, was so
tired that | lay down and cried for
what | believed was my real home. !
remember that one day was playing
on the lawn in front of the house. The
woman who owned the house had light
brown hair and gray eyes and she was
pretty and nice like you. Then this
man came along and picked me up
and took ME on a train, we went
long ways; and then he told me that
was his son and that those people
had stolen me from him. When he
picked me up | screamed and he put
ms hand over my mouth and maze
for the train. | am so happy now be-
cause am with you and | never,