River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-12-26
TIBBY AND TOSEY.

Pity US, pity o God.
WALTER SMITH.
TIBBY AND T0SEY.
Kitty had been to the charity ball, and
the charity ball was very lashionable;
there was no doubt about that. Kitty
had eaten late supper, returned home,
gone to bed and TO sleep; there was no
doubt of that She recollected distinctly
throwing one shoe under the bed and
the other into q corner, saying GOOD
night to her own figure in the looking
glass, twisting the figure of butterfly
till her fingers ached before she discov
cred that it was not the gas-stopper, and
then laughing sleepily at all her mis-
takes. She even remembered the fist
dream Of her sleep, which was something
about Charity diamonds, chicken-salad,
! lancers, and ice cream values.
| No; there was no doubt that she had
gone through all this; yet there she was,
| staring in at the windows of the great
ballroom, and the ball was just conf
mencing. Could she have gone to sleep
on the window sill in some mysterious
manner. No; she was outside, and
! standing IN the iii, Mltu SOnCpouJ
holding on to her hand
ooh, DEAR" thought Kitty, mournfully,
II must have drank some wine somehow
How strange it isl / wonder how l
came here! But what cold hand holds
mine; It's not papa's, for it makes me
SILVER. lie must be horrid. l won't
| look at him. Sol"
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, Kitty's curiosity got the
better of her, and she cautiously 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 shoulders,
like falling snow. Upon his head was
| lightly placed crown, 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 twink
ling stars. He was gazing in at the bril-
liant assemblage with a sad, melancholy
look upon his face.
Kitty looked at his robes.
How very old-fashioned p she
thought; "and aged, very aged"
"Yes," murmured the old man; "old,
very old"
Kitty started. He read her thoughts.
evidently. She was sorry now she bad
thought it, he looked so sad.
"Who are you?" asked Kitty timidly:
land why have you brought me here2"
81 an TIE Cold Night" said the old
man, slowly turning his eyes toward her.
His ewes were sharp and piercing, yet
full Of kindness And | have brought
you here that you might see how great
your charity is, for l heard this was a
charity ball"
yes" said Kitty neryously.
~ am friend of the poor continued
the Cold Night; land love to see char
ity." He looked back into the ball room
as he spoke. ''You see all your friends
here2"
Eyes" said Kitty, frightening up, and
gazing inside with something of proud
look. "There's Florry Hall right before
the window now. She has those beauti-
al solitaire diamonds in her ears. oh,
dear, how bright they look. ! wish had
them
but you had the handsomest Dress"
said The Cold Nigh, sadly.
"Ob, yes" exclaimed Kitty, quickly.
1t was of the richest silk, and cost seve5-
al hundred dollars. Papa vas so kind. >
"And was it bought for charityIh asked
the Cold Night.
why no" answered Kitty, in surprise.
"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 be led her away.
They descended TO the grand entrance,
where he pointed out two little beggars,
a bov and a girl, who fidiled and sang,
and asked penny of the rich people de-
scending from the carriages.
You passed them by to-nightl"
eyes" said Kitty, shut they are horrid
beggars." The Cold Night was silent,
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, |
Tosey and libby, the Cold Night said, |
and drew nearer to hear what they would |
say. People, rich with money and great
in charity, carefully passed them by, for
they were ragged baggars, and fddled
and sang. TWAS cold, very cold; and !
Tosey played very, very slowly, while the
breath Of Tibby's quivering plant dlsap- |
peared dispairingly in the frosty air. The
wheels OF carriages seemed to creak IN
sympathy, as they crushed down IN the
snow. Yes, it was cold indeed, yet they |
fiddled and sang untiringly, while the
rich people alighted and passed up the
grand entrance, after glancing contempt |
uously at the poor little duo, who fiddled
and sang as the brilliant dresses disap- /
peared in the distant doorway; but finally
stopped as the last carriage drove away.
ii suppose we looks too awful" SAID
Tosey, wettingly his lips and feeling
vacantly in the small pocket, which God
knows. had not seen so much as dime
for many and many day.
Eyes. said libby, "but does feel so
hungry, and sang so loud. and tried
so hard, and"
libby slightly sotbed and silently
used small piece of her shawl to wipe
away large tear.
Don't cry" said Tosey, TREMENDOUSLY:
alet's move OF, and perhaps we'll find
little somethin' Oh, if We only hsd a
few penniesl"
Tosey took Tibbv's hand and they start
ed to move away.
"Oh, Mr.. Cold Night, exclaimed Kit
" sorrowfully, 'let me give them some-
little things!8
But they are beggars,' answered the
Cold Night.
Kitty looked ashamed. She could feel
herself blush, even though she was cold
and shiverine. The cod Night handed
Ter silver piece. Il
Yes. said he; drop It, even Ifits
sssled See wAst they sill do