The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-12-31
WHAT GAME OF TT.
A New Years Sketch.

who spoke, as she tied faded blue vel
over her straw hat, and drew shabb,
fur cape closely around her whit,
throat. She was a very pretty girl, will
turquoise blue eyes, and dash Of scar
lot in her checks and lips.
IF you get your money, you mean,
said stately Marian, Theo's elder sister
who wore her calico wrapper with thu
grace of princess royal.
20, Miss Briarby is always punctual
and she will be satisfied with the dress
/ know"
"And be sure you get apples anC
raisins for the mince-meat, Theo, y
cried Madgc, the youngest Of all
| Let's have real Christmas dinner TO-
morrow, if it is week late. It's SC
long since we've had a nice dinnern
but I'm only to get three dollars for
the dress, you know, Madge. I'll do
the best can with that" And snatch
ing up small basket containing the
newly-huiShed dress, Theo tripped
away in gay spirits
The three girls kept house in the
Widow Spriggin's third.story front
room. Inside, the air was mild and
balmy as summer morning, but ont.
side it was sharp and keen, and a fine,
powdery snow was beginning to fall.
The dress gave entire satisfaction,
and Miss Briarby wished Theo happy
New Year.
Iheo's purchases were soon made.
Such aplump turkey! ltalmost filled the
little basket on her arm Then to the
meat-shop for beef and suet and the
Jolly meat-man threw in fresh, crisp
bunch of celery, smitten to the heart,
no doubt, by Theos bright eyes and
ruby lips, Next, two pounds of raisins,
so rich and sugary it made ones mouth
water only to look at them.
Half Il dollar still remained, and Theo
entered fruit store, tempted by the
display OF golden-hued oranges and ba-
nanas, Brazilian dates, choice clusters
OF Malaga grapes, luscious figs and
odorous pineapples. The gas was brill
iantly lighted inside, for the short De
ccmber day was fast drawing to a close.
a man in q slouchod hat aud secdy
oyercoat lounged in after Theo, and
stood leaning against the counter.
Now, then, what do you wantPn de-
manded the proprietor roughly.
Nothing" was the low reply,
''Ihen the sooner YOU got out of here,
the better!" clustered The vender of
tropical fruits I'VE don't hsrbor
tramps,"
I'm not a tramp" answered the
stranger,
Then you're drunk; and got out Of
here before | call policeman
For shame! o, for shamen cried
Theo, with blazing eyes ITO treat a
human being so-on New Years Eve,
too
Hes an impoStor." asserted the
hard.hearted dealer.
I've not tasted bread for two days."
said the man, in husky tones.
Here, sir;" and Theo followed tho
stranger into the street; take this"
And she thrust her basket into his
hand,
NO, no." said the poor man, al"
But you must! You will need it.
And take this, tooN' And she forced
him reluctantly to accept her purse, al
SO, then quickly FASTENED away.
She's coming" cried Madge, hyinc
70 the open door, rs Il faint tootstep
sounded on the stairs. "'rhc basket
must be heavy, she walks so slowly.
Now for the turkey-why, Theo, YOU
haven't brought it Was il too heavyp
Are they going to send tp'
Theo related her adventure.
And I'm only sorry you and Marian
will be disappointed" Sho added, no,
gretfully.
You did perfectly right" said Ma.
risn, heroically, I'VE are not starving
yet, thank goodness and he was, poor
man"
But Theo still shook her head, and
the tears sparklod in her eyes.
I'm glad you gave it to him." cried
Madge, and added, softly, you know,
Theo, who has said, Inasmuch as We
have done 1t unto the least of these, We
have done il unto men
The white Pine floor had been washed
and secured within an inch OF its lfo
Tho brightly polished window-panes
shone and shimmered, as if daring one
to look at them and not blink; the
round brass knobs on the old-fashioned
walnut sideboard beaming good.uatur-
eddy IN the slant rays of the morning
sun; q pot OF bright yellow ohrysanthe
NUNS stood IN one Of the white-curtain.
cd windows, fragrant and full of bloom,
and handsome tortoso-shell cat took
her morning nap on braided rug DO.
fore the fire.
The three houSekeepers washed up
their breakfast-servico, and swept the
room and busted, and put to rights with
a Zeal worthy at least OF moro extend
cd sphere Of action.
Suddenly heavy, numbering stop was
heard on the stairs, and sounding rap
on the door caused a mom.ntary panic
In the little room.
Marian, rallyng first, opened tho
door
"a box, mum, for Miss Thco Clyde
expenses paid, mum"
The girlslooked at each other in aston.
ishmont
There's no direction on tho box"
m al AIn ,...,,. A l..lI