Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1879-12-25
CHRISTMAS AT NUMBER ViN!ssas one esAWllN
PLACE.

Crawtln Place, was a dlngy abode
at any time, but asl Carol came IN
sight of it, one bright afternoon a
few days before Christmas, with his
mind full of much pleasanter places
he gave little sigA of disapprov-
al, and muttered, not gioomly, but
honestly, rs if he had been called
upon suddenly to compare it eau
didly with brighter places he had
seen
1t looks meaner than ever
A ray from the sun as he looked
up at No. l, seemed to contradict
him, for it fell brightly upon wins
dow in the fourth story and light
ed it up wonderfully or was ii the
bright, deep-set eyes of old Aunt
Kizzy, as she looked down and
nodded cheerfully However that
may be, little Carol forget that
Crawlin Place was dingy as he
darted up the old stairs. The fad
cd face of Aunt Kizzy, her bright
eyes and worn wig. were a part OF
his home and when Christmas is
near, home is dearer.. than any other
place in the world, if it IS 6ingy.
Besides, Carol-but let him tell his
own secrets.
Darn up that old stocking l 50 W
dangling Oh the line, Aunt klzzy,
be cried, as he came brea hiessly
up to the window where the old
lady sat.
I'll make it strong enough to
hold up two cents worth of snuff,
she said cheerily.
L feel sure this will be lucky
Christmas, said Carol. L saw
three stats shoot last night "a star
apiece for us, Aunt Kizzg. Now
quick,-before mother col.es,-
count that, please !!
'Massy massy! Where did you
get it, child 2 as the coppers and
bits of silver fell into her lap. You
amt -
'All right, Aunt Kizzy. Good,
honest money. For mothers p,e-
sent. You go buy it, for must ge'
mure or there cant be any snuff
She caught him by hia WON
jacket rs he Was flying past the
door, and sat him Gown in the olC
rocking chair.
Sit there. sir, ana tell me where
you got this money! A Christmas
present ought to be bonSht Will
money that don't need washing
L wont toll
Aunt Kizzy's back became very
stiff aud she handed him back tht
money.
It's all right he said, impatient
lY, waving away her extended
hand. But if you must know,
dropping his voice to a nysteriou
whisper, I sing for St!'
Where, child 2
'ln the street.
Like beggar
No, not quite, l didn't ask fo
money they gave it to me-
'What did you sing, you scamp
you?' said Aunt Kizzy, forgettin
n0f point III her curiosity.
Il sang every song knew-evel
the one you sang to me the othe
night
Where? Anywhere about here!
No; away uptown where the hi
folks live.'
'Don't you do it again
Il have promised Santa Clau
two cents worth of snuff for an OF
lady who hangs up black stock
ings.'
She can't have it,
She must
Aunt Kzzy dropped the none
slowly, piece by piece, into be
lap.
Seventy cents, Carolp
Get anything you feel sure She
n ike he whispered in her ear, an
H darted away.
Seventy cents! Well, we'll, vel
may be you're not ashamed of yor
want O faith, old Kizzy hopkins
No good comes O :wittiug, so L
t only say, faith is a good thing al
e ways. Now step along, and Sc
y what you can bay. Seventy cents
), And ten away down in your pock,
n tor him, that he couldn't see. n
e you can't get much for ten cent
e but start out and do your bes
/ Straighten your wig, old Kizzy
count up your change and don't {
: out with envious feelings in you
: heart because other old women Ca
4 ~ heavier purses! Seventy cen
and ten is eighty ; eighty cents al
to be sneezed at Did'ut YOU e.
pect to have 10 start out with on
ten? !? You know you did Th.
= why not look a little cheerful p
~ This remark was evidently aC
:, dressed to the faded, patient fa
= that looked at her from the smf
:. looking. glass. But CAROLS mott
=. er heard.
J. Don't dare find fault with th
woman in the glass 2 said she, COZ
il, ing in and smoothing the rus
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