The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1883-12-21
WHAT CAME OF IT.

anu INV, GOOu-DyC. LII On lOI
the turkey, girls. We could not have
one for Christmas, but we mill have one
for New Years Day. 1t was Theo
Clyde who spoke, as she tied faded
blue veil over her straw hat and drew
a shabby fur cape close around her
white throat. She was a very pretty
girl, with turquoise-bue eyes, and
dash of scarlet in her cheeks and lips.
:" If you get your money, you mean,"
said stately Marian, Theo's elder sister,
who wore her calico wrapper with the
grace Of a Princess royal.
80, Miss Briarby is always punctual,
and she will be satisfied with the dress,
l know"
"And be sure you get apples and
raisins for the mince-meat, Theo, I" cried
Madge, the youngest of all. "Let's
have a real Christmas dinner to-mor-
row, if it is week late It's SO long
since we've had nice dinnerr'
'But I'm only to get three dollars
for the dress, you know, Madge. I'll
do the best can with that. :" And,
snatching up small basket containing
the ewly-tinished dress, Theo tripped
away in gay spirits.
The three girls kept house in the
Widow Spriggins' third-story front
room. Inside, the air was mild and
balmy as a summer morning, but out
side it was sharp and keen, and fine,
powdery snow was beginning to fall.
The dress gave entire satisfaction, and
Miss Briarby wished Theo happy New
Year.
Tbao,s ,o,,,ol o.o, x,,o,,o ooo,, .,1
Such a plump turkey! 1t almost filled
the 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 to look at them.
Half dollar remained, and Theo en-
tered fruit-sto tempted by the dis
play of golden-hped oranges and ba-
nanas, Brazilian dates, choice clusters of
Malaga grapes, luscious figs and odor-
GUS pineapples. The gas was brilliantly
lighted inside, for the short December
day was fast drawing to close.
A man in a slouched hat and seedy
overcoat lounged in after Theo, and
stood leaning against the counter.
''Now, then, what do you wantP" de-
manded the proprietor, roughly.
Nothing" was the low reply.
''rhen the sooner you get out of here
the better!p clustered the vender of
tropical fruits eve don't harbor
tramps!''
tI'm not a tramp answered the
stranger.
Then you're drunk; and get out of
here before call policeman"
For shame! 0 for shamep' cried
Theo, with blazing eyes. ITO treat
human being soon New Years Eve,
tool
''He's 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 the
stranger into the street, take this
And she thrust her basket into his
hand.
No, mol" said the poor man.
II -n
But you must! You will need it,
And take this, toor' And she forced
him reluctantly to accept her purse,
also, and then quickly fastened away.
"She's coming" cried Madge, flying
to the open door, as faint footstep
sounded on the stairs. sThe basket !
must be heavy, she walks so slowly. |
Now for the turkey-why, Theo, YOU
haven't brought It'll Was it too heavy?
Are they going to send itp"
Theo related her adventure.
"And I'm only sorry you and Marian
win be disappointed, she added, re-
greteully.
'You did perfectly right, said Mar
ian, heroically. eve are not starving
yet thank goodness! and he was, poor
man.
But Theo still shook her head and
the tears sparklsll in her eyes.
Pm glad you gave it to him. cried
Madge, and added, softly, "You know
Theo, who has said: 'Inasmuch as We
have done it unto the least OF these, We
have done it unto Metz
The white pine floor had been washed
and secured within an inch of its life;
the brightly-polished window-panes
shone and shimmered, as ii daring one
to look at them and not blink; the round
brass knobs on the old-fashioned wal
nut sideboard beamed good-naturedlv
in the slant rays of the morning sun: a
pot OF bright yellow chrysanthemums
stood in one of the white curtained win
dows, fragrant and full of bloom, and
4 handsome tortoise-shell cat took her
morning nap on braided rug before
the fire.
The three housekeepers washed up
their breakfast-service, and swept the
room and busted, and put to rights with
a zeal worthy at least of amore extend
cd Sph re Of action.
Suddenly heavy, numbering step was
heard on the stairs, and sounding rap
on the door caused a momentary panic
in the little room.
Marian, rallying first, opened the
door
"a box, mum, for Miss Theo Clyde
expenses paid, num-
The girls looked at each other in as
tonishment.
There's no direction on the box"
said Marian, examining it carefully.
It's m;stake--it's not for us, - said
Theo.
Let's open it." cried Madge. '.It
can't hurt us, anyway, and She pro-
duced a Ratchet
They pounded and pried at the lid,
bruised their fingers, and finally got the
box open and exposed to view plump
turkey.
Sand raisinsr' cried Madge, pulling
open paper bag and filing her mouth
with the contents.
And beef Andsuet And celery!''
said ar an.
1heo looked up as if stupefied.
Why, it's minep' she exclaimed at
last
'..Of course it's ycarsl Who said it
wasn'tpn answered Madge, helping
herself plenifully to the raisins again.
But it's what bought and gave to
the mani persisted Theo.
But you didn't buy oranges and
lemons and three big pineapples. did
your" asked Marion, stu ineredplous. |