The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-01-21
TIBBY AND TOSEY.

Kitty had been to the charity ball, and
the charity ball was very fashionable,
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 corner, saying Good night
to her own ggure in the looking glass,
twisting the figure of butterfly till her
fingers ached before she discovered that
it was not the gas-stOpper, and then laugh
ng sleepily at all her mistakes. She
even remembered the first dream of her
sleep, which was something about char
ity diamonds, chicken salad, lanccrs, and
Ice cream waltZes. -.
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 commence
ing. Could she have gone to sleep on
the window-slll in some mysterious man
ner. No; she was outside and standing
in the air, with somebody holding on to
her hand!
"Oh, dear" thought Kitty mournfully,
II must have drank some wine somehow.
How strange it is! l wonder how came
here! But what cold hand holds mine;
it's not papa's, for it makes me SILVER.
He must be horrid. I 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. 80, at last,
like most girls, Kitty's CURIOSITY got the
better of her, and she cautiously glanced
out OF the corners OF her eyes.
BESIDES 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 a crown as of fros+-work
80 delicate was it's 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
brilliant assemblage with sad, melan-
choly LOOK upon his face.
Kitty looked at his robes.
"How very old-tashioned p she thought
land aged, very aged"
eyes, murmured the old man: ''old,
very old. =
Kitty started. He read her thoughts,
evidently. She was sorry now she had
thought it, he looked so sad.
"Who arc you9' asked Kitty timidlv:
land why have you brought me here?'
~ am the Cold Night said the old
man, slowly turning his eyes toward her.
His eyes were sharp and piercing, yet
full Of kindness. land have brought
you here that you might see how great
your charity Is, for l heard this was
oharity-ball.' .....
ayes" said Kitty nervously. ..
~ am friend Of the poor" continued
the Cold Night; ''and love to see chart.
ty.' 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 Flory Hall right before
the window now. She has those beauti-
full SOLITAIRE diamonds in her ears. Oh,
dear, how bright they look. l wish l had
Them
"But you had the handsomest Dress"
said the Cold Night, sadly. ......
"Oh, yes, exclaimed Kitty, quickly
ut was of the richest silk, and cost sew
eral hundred dollars Papa was SO kind"
And was it bought for chul1ty2" ask
ed the Cold Night. .. .....
'Why no. tor me, Of course" answered
Kitty, in surprise.
"But the ball is for charlty9"
Kitty began to be bewildered by so
much catcchising; and she was much re-
lieved when he led her away.
They descended to the grand entrance,
where he pointed out two little beggars,
q boy and girl, who tiddled and sang
and asked penny Of all the rich people
descending from their carriages. =. -.
''You passed them by to-night?'
%" ayes, but they are horrid beggars,"
SAID Kitty. The Cold Night was silent
and Kitty was afraid she might have
said something wrong, SO she added:
"And common street fddlers."
But the Cold Night said nothing.
They both watched the little duo, Tos-
. ey 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, tor
they were ragged beggars, and fddled
and sang. 1t was cold, very cold; and
Tosey played very, very slowly, while the
breath of Tibbys quivering plant disap-
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
fddled and sang untiringly, while the
rich people alighted and passed up the
grand entrance, after glanclng contempt
uously at the poor little duo, who fddled
and sang as the b1illiunt dresses disap.
: peared in the distant doorway; but final
iy stopped as the last carriage drove away.
II suppose we looks too awful said
Tosey, wetting his. lips and feeling
vacantly in the small pocket, which God
knows, had not seen So much as a
dime for many and many day.
eyes, said libby, "but I does feel so