Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-22


TO manage. So, taking one of his smallest
spoons, he sat down, and took the little girl on
MS lap. Then he fed her with milk from the
spoon, and gave her as large piece OF bread as
she could hold in her hands.
Taking milk from the giants spoon was like
drinking out of soup plate; but the child was
very hungry. She drank the milk and ate the
bread. and felt happier and happier every mo-
ment. When she had had enough, she leaned
back against the giants hand and looked at
him with little smile. and said, ut is ever so
nice not to be hungry.'
You poor little child" said Shamrock, .'are
you often hungry"
''Nearly always" said the little girl. SIT
didn't use to be quite so bad when mother was
with me, but it was pretty bad even then"
''Where is your mother" asked the giant.
''She is tired to DEATH" said the little girl.
Really and truly" exclaimed Shamrock.
eyes. and they buried her." said the child.
Shamrock did not say anything for a few mo-
to spend Christmas"
Christmas" said the child, drowsily. SIS it
anywhere near Christmas"
why, yes said the giant ''Don't you know
that
mo" replied the little girl. 81 had forgotten
all about it, / used to remember when Christ
mas came. but for the last two or three years
mother told me had better try to forget it. l
did try but l found it right hard to forget
Christmas l always remembered it little
Poor child thought the giant cit must
be very hard to be obliged to forget Christmas
when you want to remember it. Now. as for
me. ia be very glad to forget it if these people
would only let me- But | must be going. Lit
tie girl he said aloud, wouldn't you like to
take nap?'
The little girl did not answer, for she was al
ready taking a nap. She had thrown herself
back upon the giants knee. and was sleeping
soundly. Shamrock looked down upon her and
smiled.
''She must be very tired he said to himself.
"Ill put her down in the middle of my bed"
But when he attempted to take her in his hands,
the child turned over and looked so troubled at
having her sleep disturbed that Shamrock let
her lie where she was. ''She will wake up after
while, he said, land then I'll put her in my
bed" But the little girl slept soundly long
time. and Shamrock sat and looked at her, and
thought what pity it was that there should be
such creatures in the world as himself and this
little girl who could not enjoy Christmas when it
came. at should not come at all, F" he thought.
when it only makes us feel how lonely and
miserable we are" Once again he tried to move
the little girl. but she turned over with such an
impatient gesture, and such troubled look
upon her sleeping face, that he could not bear
to disturb her.
After while he heard through the open door,
clock striking in the city. II wonder what
time it is?' he said to himself. 81 must be off
before daylight
voices Of people coming up the hill. 1t was past
IL o'clock, and large party of the citizens. who
had staid up late to see Christmas come in, had
noticed the light in the giants CASTLE and had
come up the hill to see if he was really there.
They entered the hall, and were astonished to
see him sitting by his table. With one accord
they took off their hats and shouted merry
Christmas! merry Christmas, Shamrock! A
merry, merry Christmas to you!''
Other people now came running up the hill,
hDlv oh Tod
Merry Christmas" over and over again.
At first Shamrock sat, utterly bewildered,
looking at the people, and listening to this
strange greeting. Then he leaned forward and
shouted, ut isn't Christmas YETI
The little girl, who had been awakened by
the noise, sat up on his knee, and looked as
much astOnshed as he was himself.
1T is Christmas, cried the people, sit struck
twelve o'clock half an hour ago"
People were still coming up the hill and the
good news had been passed from mouth to
mouth until it reached the city. The King, when
he heard Oft. jumped out of bed, and ordered
his coach and sixteen piebald horses. They were
speedily ready. and then he went galloping up
the hill to the castle.
Shamrock" he cried as he ran into the
great hall, you must stay with us now all day,
and join in our festivities. You promised to do
that If you ever staid long enough for anybody
to wish you Merry Christmas
Yes, SAID the giant, Il promised that and
suppose must stay"
Shamrock, first having turned the empty
bowl upside down on the floor for the King to
sit upon, now told all that occurred to him in the
last few days and how it happened that he was
still at home.
Little girl said the King, sthe
Christmas panniers are yours and in
the morning you shall know everything
about them. You shall now come with me to
my palace, and tho Queen will have you washed
and dressed suitably for Christmas"
Ttl.af Naftr
breakfast. The little girl was the heroine Of the
day. The Christmas panniers were presented to
her amid great cheering and rejoicing and the
King told her all about them.
III am to give the panniers away" she said,
II shall give them to Shamrock, for he is the
best person know"
1t was not very polite to say this before the
King, and some OF the cOurtiers smiled little;
but his Majesty said You have made a good
choice And he patted her on the head.
Then, turning to his treasurer. he said: eff
these panniers are to go to Shamrock YOU must
hasten to empty them of their contents. The
giant will not want the pretty knickknacks and
costly ornaments they contain. Put the pan
niers on the back Of the stOutest mule in the
stables, and fill them with gold and silver coin"
This was speedily done, and the stout mule
had scarcely staggered into the great square in
which the court and the people were assembled
when Shamrock approached. He was late; but
messengers who had been sent up to see what
uetaheu Nun Ilau reported that he had not an
swered to their calls, but looking through the
cracks Of the door, they had seen him mending
his clothes. So nothing was said to him about
his hardness; and although he looked rather
shabby among the people in their holiday Clothes
nobody cared for that. He was cheered and
welcomed as no one had ever been welcomed
before in that great city. When he was told that
the panniers were his, he stood still for min
ute and said not word. Then he turned to the
King and said:
Twill not take the panniers unless can also
have the little girl"
will you go to him?' asked the King of the
child.
''Indeed will !" said sh9 she is kind and
good and his cow gives the best milk l ever
tasted"
Then Shamrock gently took up the child and
kissed her. 1t was one of the largest kisses
any little girl ever had, but she was not fright
ened Bit
The Christmas festivities lasted all day. and
far into the night, and when they were over,
Shamrock declared that he had never had the
least idea what joyful day was this great holi-
day. and the little girl told the King that no
matter what happened, she never could forget
Christmas again.
Shamrock did not want mule. He took the
nan in hand cuIt I,a In ri in h,