The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1868-12-22

tv closet, nor the boys ragged clothes
ms, then. No; she had a foe plan N
her good little heal. anl was irving to
disco -er how she could carry 1t out
You see. Christn - was coming n
week; and size had set heF neatt on pHs-
ting something in Toe children STOCK
icos. az the mother used 10 do. Tor "hle
sue lived things were co'nfortaoie
Tessa had not a penny in the world. and
didn't know how to get one. for aii the
fathers earnings had to go for fool, hre
and rent zear
"If there were only fairies. alb, how
heavenly that would be; for then,
should tell them all I wish, and, pop!
behold the fine things in my lap! SAID
Tessa to herself. L must earn the mon
ey; there is no one to give it to me, and
I cannot beg But, what can do, SO
small and stupid and shy as | am.
! must find some way to give the little
/ ones nice Christmas. I must! l must'
| and Tessa pulled her long hair, as ii that
would help her think.
But it didn't, and her heart got heavi-
or. for it did seem hard, that in a great
city full of fine things, there should be
none for poor Mono, Sep. and little Sper
ANA. just as Tessa's tears began to
tumble off her evelashes onto her brown
cheeks. the cricket began to chirp- vi
course, he didn't say a word; hut it real
" did seem as If he had answered her
question almost as well as fairy; for, an
before he had piped dozen shrill notes
idea popped into Tessas he td-such a
truly splendid idea, that she clapped her
hands, and burst out laughing. ''Ill do
it. I'll do it! if father will lie. me, she
said to herself, smiling and nodding at
the fire. sTommo will like to have me
90 with him and sing, while he plays
his harp in the streets. ] know many
songs. end may get money if am not
friy yhtened; for people throw pennies TO
other little girls WHO only play the tam
BOURNE Yes, l will tr,', and then, II
do well. the little ones shall have a Mer
~ Christmas
So full Of her plan was Tessa. tha
f, she ran upstairs at once. and asket
To,Emo it he would take her with hin
on the morrow Her friend was delight
ell, for he thought Tessa's songs yer.
sweet. and was sure she would get none.
if she tried.
But see, then, it is cola in the streets
Me wind bites; ami the STOW freeze
ons,s fingers. Tie da, is very long
people are cross, and ut night. one
ready to die with wearine@s Ihon ~
so small. Tessa, AN afraid It vii 2
badly with thee SAID Tommo. who W.
a merry black eyed boy OF fourteen
witt. the kintlest heart in the wofid III
der his old jacket.
i do not mind .he cold and wet an
cross people. if l can get the pennies
answered Tessa. feeling very brave wit
such a friend to help her. She thanke
Tommo, and ran away to get really, fe
she felt sure her father would not refus
her anything She sewei up the hole
in her shoes as we'll as she could, for 81
had much of that sort Of cobiing to d
she mended her only gown, and La
ready the old hood and shawl which ha
been her mothers. Then, she washe
out little Ranza's frock and put it TO DIR
because she would not be able to do
the next day She set the table, al
got things ready for breakfast, for Ton
mo went out early, ahl must not
kept waiting for her. She longed
make the beds and dress the chIldr
over night, she was in such hurry
have all in order; but, as that con!d n
be. she sat down again, and trie'i ov
all tue songs she knew. Six pretty on
were chosen; and she sung away wi
all her heart in fresh little voice
- sweetly, that the children smiled in the
sleep, and her fathers tried face brigt
- ened as he entered, for Tessa was
CHEEKY cricket on the hearth. VIII
she had told her plan. Peter Bens
-, shook his head. and thought it won
never do; but Tessa begged so hard
consented at last. that she should
- It for one week, and sent her to bed
happiest little girl in New York.
:, Next morning. the sun shone. but
M cold wind blew, and the snow lay tli
- in the streets. As soon as her fat!
ho was gone, Tessa few about, and put e'
for rythiny in nice order, telling the CT
,as dren she was going out for the day. a
they were to mind Tommo's moth
~ who could see about the fire and the d
,sr ner; for the sooi woman loved Tes
entered into her little plans with all
- heart Mono and Giuseppe, or Sep,