Connecticut western news., 1883-12-19

It was Christmas Eve and crowds of busy buyers and pleasure-seekers thronged Avenue A. Among them might might have been seen boy of perhaps ten years and girl some three years his junior, who were evidently bent upon very important errand, if oue could judge by the number of times they paused and consulted, the look of earnestness deepening in their faces. Good faces they were, too, if ia littlesoiled. The boys frank and honest, with merry twinkle in each dark eye, whilst the girls blue ones wore an innocent, wist- ful expression. She would have been quite pretty if it had not been for the sickly color of her skin (want of proper nourishment), and the matted locks. which only needed soap and water to render them soft and golden. A straw bonnet, portion of the brim missing, on account of its being several sizes too large, gave the child constant employ ment trying to keep it on. Its counter part in the shape of hat covered the curly head of her companion, whose pants could have easily held another boy.
 Presently they paused before large store with its window filled with cakes. Square cakes, round cakes, frosted cakes, cakes with snow-white towers and cunning sugar cupids, cakes large and small, yellow with eggs or black with fruit. As the children stood gazing at the rich display an old gentleman passed, turned and retraced his steps, and also took his stand before the cake window. Ever and anon his kindly face was lit up by smile as some remark of the chil- dren's reached his ears.
 At last the important question seemed decided, for the boy, with nod and the words, "You jess wait here, Sis," made his way into the store. It was crowded. 50 he had to wait his turn, while the girl pressed her eager little face tightly against the window pane, tiptoeing on her small, bare toes in excitement.
 There was quite pretty flush on the chlld's delicate cheeks when the boy re. appeared with small parcel in his hand and she exclaimed eagerly:
 ''Did you get it p'
 "You" bet was the answer. followed h, long-drawn-out "Oh !" from the ittl, girl as they made their way along tn, avenue, the old gentleman close behinc them. After while they turned into side street and bent their steps toward vacant lot, half shut in by brick wal and filtered over with old packing cases bits of tarpaulin and refuse.
 "Is it nice place where you live |? questioned the girl, as her eompanio piloted her over barrel hoops and ol crockery. A-saucy look twinkled in tn boys eyes as he answered:
 'fWell, Sis, it ain't exactly what you call brown-stone front :; it's more more on the Oscar Wilde style"
 "What's that?" and the little girl eyes opened to their widest extent.
 That's kinder style as is made u of old things as was chucked away as n good to nobody" Then he added "Here we are r; jess hold on a minut till light the chandelier, or you migh knock your head agin the frescoing,'
 A smell of sulphur, then the fain glimmer of candle showed the outlin of large packing-case, partiall covered with pieces of tarpaulir Drawing one of these pieces aside, tn boy bade his companion enter, adding
 ''Sit down, Sis, till I git the fiji a-going; you're company, you know"
 Obeying orders, Sis seated herself c an upturned butter-tub and gazed il quiringly around. The packing cas within which she sat stood lengthwis a hole in its side being concealed by curtain of sail cloth, the other side wa and part of front were composed
 pieces of tarpaulin, propped up by o broom handles and one bent iron stapl At the rear stood high brick wal Adorning the packing case's sides we1 part of circus poster, a Sunds school card and colored Autograph.
 By the time Sis had finished her Ii spections the fire, which consisted