Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-10-24

"let's move ON, and perhaps we'll find
a little somethin'. Oh, if we only had
a few pennies !" #t-.'
Tosey took Tibby's hand and they
started to move away.
"Oh, Mr.. Cold Nigh" exclaimed Kit
ty, sorrowfully, "let me give them
something poor little thingsl'
" But they are beggars," answered the
Cold Night.
Kitty looked ashamed. She could
feel herself blush, even though. she was
cold and shivering. The Cold Night
handed her a silver piece. ass. = :, =
"Yes," said he; drop it, even if it's
wasted. See what they will do"
Kitty took it quickly and dropped it
before them. Right at Tibby's foot fell
the money, which she would have
passed unnoticed if Tosey had not ex-
claimed:
.'Oh, libby. there's dimer' and
pickedit up. r.@.t,4
libby clasped her hands in delight,
dancedup and down and then looked
into his hand, to be sure that it was
really there. 1t was, surely.
I" Won't we have a hot potato,
lIOuSti. SdIu 1OS6S.
"And a big roll, and some butter, and
some meat, and just a very little piece
of pie.
libby named each one of them on
the ends of her fingers, but stopped
when she got to her thumb; for the
money was all gone by that time. and
the thumb was quite large.
But how did it come there?" asked
Tosey.
Gould it have growed?" suggested
libby.
No." said Tosey.
cor fell from the sky?'
Guess no" said Tosey, obviously.
Or been funged?'
ooh, no of course not" Tosey an
swered, emphatically.
They both looked hungrily at the piece
of money, and began to count together
what lots of things they could buy; and
their faces grew bright, indeed, as they
thought of it.
From the shade of the opposite side
of the entrance, thin bundle of rags
slowly crept, and steadily shufied up to
them. Out Of the dirt and rags peered
a thin face and glistening eyes, and the
hands of the small bundle WEAKLY rub
] bed themselves together, to try and stir
up the blood which was not there.
This is charity ball. said the thin
bundle. "These folks dances for the
poor" The glistening eyes looked
eagerly at Tosey and libby, and fire.
quently glanced at the money in their
hands. eve is poor, and they dances
for us me and mother, who is sick abed
they dances to give us the bread which
we seldom has"
Tosey looked in surprise at the thin
bundle, rubbing its hands.
And does they dress in nice closes
for us, and ride in carriages, and give
lots of money, and all for us ?"
The thin bundle rubbed faster and
| faster.
Yes. if there's any more than as
pays for the dancin' and the dressin'
and the dancin' costs ten dollars apiece,
and the dressin'-oh, [ dunno It's al
for us,-if there's any left"
"But they didn't give us any when
sang," said libby.
Lors, no p said the thin bundle;
they thinks beggars don't need nothin.
They has folk as hunts up poor folks
when they has time, and sews fannelS
when they hasn't. Yes, they says they
/ does all this for us, but" The bundle
shook It's head as if it were doubtful,
and continued:
/ stood over yonder thinking some
body would give me somethin'; but
they all looked mad at me, and | went
/ back inter the shadder and watched 'em.
1t was big sight, but Pm jest as hun
cry" The hands stopped rubbing, and
the eyes looked wet, as the bundle
added: My mother is very, very sick.
Oh, we's poor,-So poor %
Tosey looked at his little sister as the
rags began to shuttle away.
libby" says he, does we feel Sc
awful hungry?"
libby hesitated. She looked at the
silver, and then at the slowly retreating
figure, and then she looked up into
Tosey's gentle, looking face.
{" No, Tosey, dunno as [ does"
TOsey turned around, and running
after the departing figure, handed hel
the piece of money.
" There" says he, "take it; you need
it more than we does"
The bundle looked in surprise as he
took the piece, and tears fell down the
thin, pale face. But she only said:
Pm very, very grateful" and walk
ed off.
The two little musicians watched the
figure as it disappeared in the darkness
while the happy shuttle grew fainter aid
fainter.
All, here was charity, Godiike charity
in the hearts Of the beings the rich de-
spised and thrust from their door
AS the Cold Night turned toward
Kitty, he found her silently wiping hel
eyes.
do you see what true charity is?'
asked he, in sweet, sympathetic voice
Eyes, yes" murmured Kitty; 81 see
[ see"
While they were talking, they had
slowly risen up, up to the brilliant win
dows again.
''Now look at the mockery," said the
Cold Night, somewhat harshly.
1t was the most brilliant hour of the
ball. Light from myriads of jets, EN-,
bedded in massive chandeliers, sparkled
with dazzling intensity, making the
brightest day of gloomy night. People
decked with jewels and silks and laces
were gathered in merry groups, or join.
ing inpleasurablc dance to the strains
of sweet and lively music. 1t was q
beautiful sight indeed; but somehow the
people looked heartless to Kitty, and
the jewels glittered spitefully, while the
rich silks seemed to hiss and hiss as
they rustled along, as if all were rebel
ling against their false use.
But one more act" said the Colo
NIGHT. gently leading her down down 4