Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1869-03-03
ALICE'S GIFT.
A New Years Story.

Little Alice uOM IL
the broad steps that fronted her IA
theirs elegant city residence. She
was eight years old, with a sweet,
childish face, glowing with eager de-
light, for there was great joy in an
ticipation for her. In brilliant
shop not far away, there was splen-
did doll, as large as small baby,
dressed in a fashionable blue silk
trimmed with lace, and a bonnet OF
the latest style. This peerless crea-
ture, with eyes that actually moved
was to be had for ten dollars. 1t had
been promised her for New Years
present; but her mother had been
unwell and unable to go out for it
the day previous, and so Alice on
New Years morning, was intrusted
with ten dollar bill, and was to go
and purchase it herself. This she
enjoyed as much as anything, and felt
consciousness of her own import
ance In having so large a sum To
spend.
She could not help thinking how
the new doll would be admired by
all her juvenile companions. She
meant to invite some of them in the
next day expressly to admire herpur-
chase.
So Alice tripped happily along,
holding the bill tightly in her right
hand.
AS she was turning a street corner
her attention was attracted by a low
sob.
Looking down she saw a boy APP
parentfy twelve years of age, sitting
on a doorstep, crying quietly. He
was poorly dressed. His knees were
patched and his feet were bare, while
his brown hair escaped through the
visor Of his cap
Now Alice had a warm and gener-
Gus heart, full of active sympathy
for pain or sorrow, and she instinct
lively stopped and asked:
What is the matter?''
There We're others who had passed
contenting themselves with a glance
1T the boy, but feeling that his sOr-
row was nothing to them.
On hearing the question, the boy
lifted his tear-stained face and see
ing the sympathy expressed i'm tho
little girls countenance, felt his heart
open TO her.
My mother is turned into the
street, he said, land she is sick.
am afraid it will make her worse"
Turned into the street ~ repeat
ed Alice, bewildered. what is that
for?''
"She can't pay her rent and the
landlord wont let her stay"
Can't she hire another house,"
The new landlord would find out
that she had not paid her rent. Be
sides, she is too sick to move.n
what an awful man the landlord
must be-" said Alice warmly. Il sup
pose your mother is poor
Yes, she is; but | sell papers and
We got along pretty well till month
ago, when | was taken sick fo- fort
night and then, rs L couldn't earn
anything, we got behind. Ii it hadn't
been for that, | could have paid the
rent
20, dear me. I'm so sorry" said
Alice. Il suppose it's great deal
that you owe. Is il As much "a fifty
dollars ~
Fifty dollars! o, no; we can't
afford To pay such n rent Is that. 1t
is only a small sum, but it's more
than we can pay"
How much Is it?N
six dollars -
''Only six dollars - exclaimed Al
ice in surprise. "Why Mary Commits
father pays two hundred dollars
a month rent
That's for nice large house.
Mother and | only have two little
rooms in the fourth story of a tene-
ment house. Six dollars is enough
for such a place
I'm sorry you have to live in
such a place" said Alice pityingly.
20, | don't mind that. But it's hard
10 go out into the street such weather
as this
Just then an idea suggested itself
Ia Alice. The rent was only six dol
lars and she had ten. Suppose she
gave it To the boy Thon lis r,astI,zr,
could pay her rent, and would not Ice
obliged To be turned out into the
street.
But then the doll The beautiful,
elegantly dressed doll, with eyes
that moved She seemed to see il
before her in all its splendor. How
could she give il up? Alice was 4
good, warm-hearted girl; but her
heart smote her as she thought of
losing il.
But after all how could she enjoy ii
when the thought of this boys poor
sick mother turned into the street,
perhaps to die, when she might have
prevented it,
Il shouldn't care about the doll
after that thought Alice.
Her determination was quickly
formed. She would give it up. The
boy should have the money.
Here" she said impulsively,
take this 1t VIII pay your rent"
The boy took ii mechanically As
he saw what it was, his eyes lighted
up with JOY mingled with doubt.
Its ten dollars" he said.
Yes SAID Alice, Il meant TO buy
a doll with it--such beautiful doll"
and she half sighed As she thought
of what she had renowned, but I'd
rather your mother would have the
money. 1 can do without the DOLL
How kind you are - said the boy
gratefully; "but I'm sorry you gave
up the DOLL
20, | shan't mind it,
Il wouldn't take it if il wasn't for
my MOTHER said he.
Take ii for her sake then" said
Aiice, every moment caring less and
less for the doll.
But / only need six dollars. I
viii get the bill changed and give
yoh the rest
No, keep il all, don't need the
rest. If your mother is sick, you
can buy some nice things fof her"