The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-12-21


"Why, my dear, unselfsh little
girl!" said he. Il think this is very
good of you. | have been hoping you
would go, for something about that
letter made me sure they cared a
great deal about seeing you. I know
you will give them real pleasure,
| wish you to do just as you pleased ;
but aln SO glad you pleased to do
this"
Papa was always kind, but he rarely
praised Patty as much as this, and she
thought it made up for her sacrifice.
Mrs. Redington was glad, too. when
she came home early in the evening !;
though she said they would all be lone
ly without Patty, and she could not
help saying there had never seemed to
be SO many reasons for her being at
home. But she was very glad to have
her go to Aunt Janet and Aunt katha-
rine, and Patty thought her mother
and father had never been so kind to
her before. 1t was lucky Aune Annie
would not come until just after she
had gone, for it would have been so
hard if she had seen her only little
while and she then said goodbye.
Wednesday at twelve O'Clock the
train started out Of the station carry
ing one sad little passenger, at least,
among all the crowd of happy people
who were going away or going home
for Christmas. Almost everybody had
baskets or bundles, and soon Patty
grew interested in Watching the faces
around her, and some of the people
%oh p1 81 ~
looking traveller and | know if you
had been sitting in the opposite seat
you would have wished you knew her
and wondered who she was. She had
on a sealskin cap and jacket,
and a brown cashmere dress.
with such pretty silk petticoat to
match, and her favorite little Roman
cravat and the bits of scarlet and blue
in this looked SO bright and pretty
against the dark browns. She had a
new book to read, if she choose; and
her mothers Christmas presents had
been new travelling bag and a silk
umbrella, of which Patty was con-
scious, and which stood beside her. in
preference to having them put in the
rack overhead, where some one might
possibly think it belonged to the peo-
pie in front. Though she felt dismal
enough during the first half-hour, she
did not look cross, only sorry. know
you would like Patty; her eyes were
SO sweet and looked straight into yours.
The car was SO full that every seat
was taken. Patty's companion was
a lady dressed in black with Il heavy
veil, SO that one could hardly see her
face. After while she pushed it back;
and by and by Patty turned away from
the window and happened to look at
Ter. The lady did not notice her. She
was looking down and her eyes were
| full of tears. why, she must be 90.
I ing to have worse time this Christ
mas than | am, thought Patty, to
! whom things were looking darker than
usual just then. And then she looked
round again. This time the lady look
| ed up at her, with the kindest smile.
Il don't seem to be very merry. do
| | my dear. said She. And | think
that You are sad about something, too.
| We mus II t forget that tomorrow is
| Christmas Day. and she reached her
| hand over for Patty S and held it close.
! And then Patty said she had felt lit
tie lonely because her aunt Annie had
come by that time, and she was not
! there to see her.
Tell me about it dear, said the new
| friend. And somehow Patty did not
mind it at all. though she was apt to
be little shy and reserved with stran-
gers. At the end she said
| please don / think that want to be
| selfish, or that any of my aunts are
not just as kind as they can be but
Aunt Annie is younger, and | do love
her best. | know her SO much better.
And all the girls are so sorry. for there
are to be such jolly times this vacation
and they said that they should miss
me. But am so glad that came away
am truly
$50 am dear child. said the lady.
it was very good of YOU: but | think
you don't care to be praised for doing
right. The best thing is to know it in
one 5 own heart. lam sure YOU will
have happy Christmas. Why is it
that YOU care SO much for your Aunt
Annie This was asked softly. And
Patty answered. drawing little clos
! er.
Il think it is because she helps me
to be good. But everybody loves Aunt
Annie.
The lady drew Patty's hand nearer
and held IL IN both her own.
Il am SO glad. dear. lam irving to
oe good too. |. IS very nice that we
found each other. grew sad a few
minutes ago. because | was thinking
of last Christmas. and how merry
somebody made it for Tie who has died
since then.
Il IN So sorry. said Patty. earnestly.
Il wish | could help YOU. And her
new friend smiled again. and thanked
her.
You do help me. and we can ask our
Father to help us. Can't we. dearie T.
said she. And think we shall both
have a happy Christmas. if not a mer.
~ one.
II was just thinking said Patty,
''of what Mamma said 10 me while we
waited at the station: that she was
sure | should be glad | went 10 Amt
IanorS - only