Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-10-24
TIBBY AND T0SEY.
The Cold Night Shows Up One Style o!
Charity.


Kitty had been to the charity ball,
and the charity ball Is very fashionable;
shere was no doubt about that. Kitty
had eaten late supper, returned
home, gone to bed and to sleep; there
was no more doubt at that. She recol-
Iected distinctly throwing one shoe un-
der the bed and the other into Il 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
lily 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
cob, DEAR" thought Kitty, mourn
fully, 81 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 il
makes me SILVER. He must be hOrrid
| 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 noI
seem to care whether she saw him OF
not, but quietly looked in with her. So
ut last, like most girls, Kitty'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 crown, as of frost
work, so delicate was its texture. Robes
long and dark, aud 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 a sad, melan-
choly look upon his face.
Kitty looked at his robes.
How very old-fashioned?" she
thought; 'and aged, very aged"
Ies," murmured the old man; cold
very Old"
Kitty started. He read her thoughts
evidently. She was sorry now she haC
thought it, he looked so sad.
Who are you ?" asked Kitty tim.
idly; ''and why have you brought me
here ~
am the Cold Night" said the ole
man, slowly turning his eyes toward
her. His eyes were sharp and piercing
yet full of kindness. And [ have
brought you here that you might see
how great your charity is, for | hearC
this was a charity-ball."
Yes" said Kitty nervously.
A am friend of the poor" contin
ued the Cold Night; and | love to SEE
charity" He looked back into the
ballroom as he spoke. " You see al
your friends here ?"
"Yes," said Kitty, frightening up
and gazing inside with something of ;
proud look. There's Florry Hall righ
before the window now She has those
beautiful solitaire diamonds in her ears
Oh, dear, how bright they look 1 wisI
had them"
But you had the hanGsomest dress,
said the Cold Night, sadly.
Oh, yes" exclaimed Kitty, quickly
1t was of the richest silk, and COS
several hundred dollars. Papa was Sc
kind"
And was it bought for charitv?" 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 st
much catechising; and she was mucl
relieved when he led her away.
They descended to the grand entrance
wnere he pointed out two little beggars
a boy and & girl, who fiddleG and sang
and asked 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 Nigh
have said something wrong, so Sht
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 the,
would say. People, rich with none,
and in charity, carefully passed then
BY, for they were ragged beggars, ant
iiddled and sang. 1t was cold, yer,
cold; and Tosey played very slowly
while the breath of Tibby's quiverin;
plant disappeared despairinglv in-th,
frosty air. The wheels of the carriage
seemed to creak in sympathy, as the,
crushed down in the snow. Yes, it wa
cold indeed, yet they fiddled and san!
untiringly, while the rich people alight
ed and passed up the grand entrance
after aglanoing contemptuously at tn
poor little duo, who fddled and sang a
the brilliant dresses disappeared in tn
distant doorway, but finally stopped a
the last carriage drove away.
i suppose we looks too awful" sai'
Tosey, wetting his lips and feelin,
vacantly in the small pocket, which
God knows, had not seen so much as
dime for many and many day.
YES" said libby, :" but I does fee