Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-12-30

Donck street," sounded in her ears. Applying
both hands to the implacable oyescoat, Cicely
made another effort. The black wall swayed q
little, but, taking firm hold of the strap, re-
Jan Joris Rapaesie STREET., shouted the
noarse voice, and Cicely growing desperate as
the names grew longer, began beating tattoo
upon the overcoat with such force thatit sprang
around fiercely with-"what the - creation
do you want, ma'am?" The angry tone and
scowling brow terrified little Cicely so that she
could scarcely gasp out her question, to which
when asked the overcoat responded: "Patroon
Square? Three miles from here; don't you
know where you are going, ma'am?" Then, as
Cicely rose and turned toward the door with an
"Woman here wants to get OUT" at the same
time settling comfortably down into the vacant
seat, and opening newspaper to prevent fur
When at last Miss Wild succeeded in reaching
the door, she ventured to ask how she could
reach PATRON Square.
:" Take fourth green car to woutervantwiller
Street, and connect with the Panuw Avenue
lne," answered the hOarse voice, as a dozen
hands lifted her down to the muddy pavement,
and the car went on.
Cars were passing in rapid succession, and,
soon as the conductor approached, she asked if
this was the route to PATRON Square.
NOR growled the youth; "second track to
car and handed her Off
This must be the right one," thought our
bewildered heroine, as car came in sight on
the second track to the left. Again she asked
her question, this time not venturing to get on
board.
"Red car behind" was the answer, and at
last Cicely found herself in the right place, with
plenty of time to discover how cold, tired, and
hungry the. mornings excursion had left her.
not to speak of the condition of her holiday
attire. At last Woutervantwiller Street gave
place to Panuw Avenue, and. as a shade of
taiDtness stole over her, the familiar buildings
OF fatIoon Square appeared, and on the right
he welcome sign, .'Golconda Ladies' Restau-
tered, to find only a suiky boy in possession. and
the nttle tables covered with inhospitable baize.
Scan have lunch here?" she asked
Restaurant amt open Chrstmas-day."
won't you be able to let me have few oys-
tiers and some coffee?"
Nothing on hand to-day but candies, num-"
ga singular restaurant %
''Most ladies lunch at home, or visit out. on
Christmas-day; all but country folks perhaps
Leaving the "Golconda" with all the dignity
ed up the street in search Of the ssKoh-i-noor
Dining rooms for Ladies" whose sign ehe had
often read in happier hours. But the Koh-i-
noor's briliancy was also shrouded in baize, and
the countenance of the young woman in charge
betokened such lofty scorn that Cicely did not
dare to PROFOUND her humble question, and,
after purchasing small amount of candy she
retreated in silent humility and resumed the
hunt At length, having walked several miles,
she was rendered desperate by the pangs of
hunger, and boldly resolved to enter the first
ladies. The So Grand Mogul" received her a.
she timdly entered, with a prolonged stare, but
made no objection to her seating herself at one
of the tables, and after some delay a foreign
waiter appeared, and calmly inspected his
victim.
Have you bill Of fare ." asked Cicely. The
mogul, however, was too much occupied to
reply. He twitched the cloth up. he twitched
1t down, he patted on the right, he pulled it on
the left, he moved the castor to all four points
of the compass, falling back after each charge
a nd Gv,oI
energy to polishing the mustard spoon, on a
much-endurng napkin produced from the re-
&c ses his pocket. Have you a bill Of fare?,
veutured Cicely again. The mogul finished the
spoon, admired its sheen, re placed it, yawned,
and then remarked in conversational tone:
"Did You speak, Miss ?"
Have You bill of fare ?'' repeated the little
customer. 0
"Oh you mean the carte, presume, ;" in an
encouraging tone. NO, miss. On Christmas
day our guests are prepared to expect a GER
tain fixed course suitable to the occasion. me
tange of dishes appropriate to the season.;
What are they ?'' asked Cicely.
you understand the names, being French; and
besides, 1t is one Of our rules to surprise our
guests on Christmas day."
bring me something, then, as soon as pos
sible," said Cicely, at last, reduced to abiect
humility by the dignity OF the mOgul and the
pangs OF hunger; g anything will do"
Pardon me. but we never depart from our
rules. You shall be served in due time, and
with our regular course"
And so ii proved. Dish after dish was placed
upon the table. each containing unknown com
pounds of dubious taste and uncertain odor.
and, after Ccely had vainly attempted to eat
them, the mogul would sweep them away and
return them with fresh supply, spreading them
out in martial array, and retiring a few steps to
watch the effect. Having partially subdued her
hunger with bread and potatoes Cicely yentured
TO signify her desire for the bill. Mogul departed
and came back with pOrtly document in which
the gu'st was charged for ten courses, price ten
dollars, and wished a "merry Christmas" by two
cOrpulent cupids at the top.
Cicely.
'You are at liberty to have them all, miss
our regular carte for Christmas day, miss; we
never depart from our rules"
Out in the street again with lightened purse,
Cicely hesitated! Should she give it up and
ANONYMOUSLY beat a retreat? Never! There
wasthe pantomime at Mallot's designated in the
original Christmas programme, and, signalling
an omnibus, h. jOu n yed down toward the
enchanted realms where dwelt wonderful
gums. AS the performance had commenced,
the vestibule was comparatively empty, and
Cicely went up to the dungeon to buy her ticket
Reserved seat forward, three dollars" said
81 thought the price was dollar and a half"
answered Cicely, standing ON tiptoe to see the
christmas day, prices raised" growled the
man; and, giving the money in haste, Cicely
shrank away, and opened the inner door. Here
was crowd beyond anything she had yet seen,
band was playing, and shouts Of laughter greet
ed the actors, who were entirely invisible to lit.
tie Cicely, with q wall OF Overcoats towering
above her head on all sides. Even a worm wifi
turn when trampled upon; and as Cicely recoy-
cred her breath, after a hard push from a par
ticular disagreeabe man who passed her rudely
at the door, she caught the usher by the arm.
and demanded her reserved seat with some as
perity.
Very sorry, miss; great crowd; Chrismas-day,
miss. Only three vacant seats left in front:
obliged to charge q dollar extra for them"
But have already paid an extra price for
this ticket"
every sorry miss. Christmas-day. A dollar
extra. Those are my orders"
Determined, after SO many dsappointments
to enjoy at least taste of holiday festivities,
Cicely paid the required sum, and then began a
series Of hand-to-hand encounters with over
coats, as, following the usher, she wrestled her
way through the thr0ng. One very young gem
tleman ,IOf Hebrew descent, accompanied her q
portion Of the way, and truly grateful! was Miss
Wild for his assistance; turning to thank him
when she discovered the vacant seat near by, be-
hold he was gone, but she had no time to regret
his departure, as the gories of the stage met her
eye, and soon forgot every thing but the fairy
scene before her. In few minutes q voice on
the left murmured: