Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-10-23
TIBBY AND TOSEY.
The Cold Night Shows Up One Style of
Charity.


Theodore Bartlett in the Christian Register.
Kitty had been to the charity ball,
and the charity ball is very fashionable;
there was no doubt about that. Kitty
had eaten a late supper, returned
home, gone to bed and to sleep: there
was no more doubt at that She recol-
lected distinctly throwing one shoe I'M
der the bed and the other into a cor
ner. saying Goodnight" to her own
figure in the looking-glass, twisting the
figure of butterfly till her fingers ached
before she discovered that it was not
the gas-stopper, land then laughing sleep
ily at all her mistakes She even re-
membered the first dream of her sleep,
which was something about charity
diamonds. chicken salad, lancers and
ice-cream Waltzes.
No: there was no doubt that she had
gone through all this; yet there she was,
staring IN at the window of the great
ballroom, and the ball was just COM
mencing. Could she have gone to sleep
on the window sill in some mysterious
manner? No; she was outside, and
standing in the air, with somebody
holding on her hand
ooh, DEAR" thought Kitty, mourn
fully, II must have drunk some wine
somehow. How strange it is! | won
der how | came here! But what a cold
hand holds mine; it's not papa's, for it
makes me SILVER. He must be horrid.
[ won't look at him. So,
There did not seem to be much need
of the resolve, however, for the person
who held her hand did not move nor
seem to care whether she saw him or
not, but quietly looked in with her. So,
at last, like most girls, Kittv's curiosity
got the better of her, and she cautious
" glanced out of the corners of her
eyes.
Beside her she saw an old man. His
beard and hair were long and white,
and dropped about his neck and shonld-
ers, like falling snow. Upon his head
was lightly placed a clown, as Of frost
work, so delicate was its texture. Robes,
long and dark, and cold to look at, fell
in broad folds from his shoulders, and
were held to his waist by girdle of
twinkling stars. He was gazing in at the
brilliant assemblage with sad, nelan-
cholv look upon his face.
Kitty looked at his robes.
"How very old-fashioned?' she
thought; "and aged, very aged"
Yes" murmured the old man; "old,
very DID,"
Kitty started. He read her thoughts,
evidently. She was sorry now she had
thought it, he looked so sad.
"Who are your" asked Kitty tim
idly; land why have you brought me
here? ~
q am the Cold Night" said the old
man, slowly turning his eyes toward
her. His eyes were sharp and piercing.
vet full OF kindness. ''And 1 have
brought you here that you might see
how great your charity is, for [ heard
this was charity-ball.'
"Yes," said Kitty nervously.
"A am friend of the poor" contin-
ned the Cold Night: I" and | love to see
charity" He looked back into the
ballroom as he spoke. g You see all
your friends here?'
eyes" said Kitty, Frightening up,
proud look. 'There's Florry Hall right
before the window now. She has those
beautiful solitaire diamonds in her ears.
Oh, dear, how bright they look. | wish
| had them"
"BUt you had the hanGsomest Dress"
said the Cold Night, sadly.
cob, yes" exclaimed Kitty, quickly
:. 1t was of the richest silk. and cost
several hundred dollars. Papa was SO
kind"
And was it bought for charity" asked
the Cold Night.
" Why, no. answered Kitty, in sur
prise. For me, of course"
But the ball is for charity ?"
Kitty began to be bewildered by so
much catechising; and she was much
relieved when he led her away.
They descended to the grand entrance,
where he pointed out two little beggars,
a boy and girl, who fiddled and sang,
and asked a penny Of the rich people
descending from the carriages.
"You passed them by tonight"
Eyes, SAID Kitty, but they are hor-
rid beggars" The Cold Night was sill
ent, and Kitty was afraid she might
have said something wrong, SO she
added: : And common street fiddlers."
But the Cold Night said nothing.
They both watched the little duo,
Iosey and libby, the Cold Night said,
and drew nearer to hear what they
would say. People, rich with money
and IN charity, carefully passed them
by. Tor they were ragged beggars, and
fiddled and sang. 1t was cold, very
cold; and Tosey played very slowly,