The Hawaiian gazette., 1883-12-26

A Chnd's Christmas.
A big country house in lonely spot, and a
little girl Of ten all alone in it on Christmas
Day.
4 little orphan girl she was, in a black
dress, with serious white face and wlstlul
eyes A quiet child: not accustomed 10 talk
much, for she hSd lived good deal among
sTUva-up people who had never sought to
draw her cut, but had left her TO puzzle out
all the problems OF child life for herself. A
better behaved little girl never existed, and
that is perhaps why she was lett SO solitary
in the big house on Christmas Day. Three
months before this Christmas she had been
sent 10 4 small school, and now she was home
for Der first holidays; but the lady in whose
house she was staying friend of her dead
mothers who had Informally adopted her
had been summoned away to the bedside Of q
sister who was il, and she could not take little
Eyie away with her On such q sad journey.
Before starting, however, she had ordered her
servants 10 take good sare Of the child, aad
this they had promised 10 do Miss Eyie was
fSvoIite with them alI-she gave SO little
trouble aud was always SO obeiient- You had
no need 10 provide amusement for her; you had
only to tell her not to stir from certain room,
and there she would remain for hours, anus
Inc herself in : noisless way, and never try
ing 10 call attention to herself if she were for
gotten. There were four servants in the house,
and they had not intended at first to leave the
child alone; but William, the footman, and
Mary, the hOUsemaid. who were brother and
sister had received leave from their mistress
to 20 and spend Christmas Day with their pa
rents II the neighborinS town, provided cook,
and Susan, the parlormaii, STAYED at home
N d
pressing invitation 10 Join some friends Of her
own in the town, and in order to induce Susan
10 conuivc al her going away, she begged her
to Join the party. It was a great temptation
to Susan. Cook promised that there would be
very gay dOinEs, and young farmer who was
said TO be rather sweet on Susan Though. Of
course, Susan did not consider that bit) was
to be present. Aud then Susan reflected that
if she refused this treat cook would Be grumpy
and they would both spend a sorry Christmas
together If EVE had been other than She
was, Susan would have refused: but she was
such good, quiet child that there was no fear
Of her getting into any mischief. You could
trust her by herself anywhere said cook:
'aud l rather think she likes being alone.
Even if we stopped, don't know what we
could 90 for her, for she'd Just sit by the FIRE.
as she mostly does, and say nothing unless YOU
asked her questions; and don't know myself
how to talk to that child, she's so serious
like"
AYE, hut if missis heard of our having gone
she'd pack Us of in no time remarked So
san.
Miss Eyie'll never tell her, rej0ined cock.
She's not the one to carry tales.
''No, that she amt, and missis amt tie SOFT
TO question ner either, observed Susan. "She
don't hold much with spying"
- the matter was settled; but Susan was a
good giJl, whose heart rather smote her at the
idea OF leaving the child alone. So on Christ
mas morning, whilst EVE was taking her
bread and milk in tho small parlor that was
called her schoolroom, Susan looking rather
hesjtatiuSly at her said 'Would you mind it
very much, dear,if We left You all by yourself
today"
NO, Susau," said the child, in her usual
mild way, and with a steadiast gaze that
showed no fear At all. "Do you want to 20
0ut!''
me and cook have got invited out to a party:
but We wouldn't 50 it you minded it the least
hit, Miss EVE, SO you mustn't be afraid to
tell ne"
I don't mind it at all, Susan"
But you must promise me, then, that you
won't leave the house on any account"
''Nayu't 60 to church,"
'Nc, dear, you can't 90 to church alone. YOU
know. Il will be for only for this once 10
you think you can manage TO get along lust
for to-day by YOURSELF Wen leave out your
dinner for you, if you don't mind having cold
one, and Ven be back before tea time. You're
such 4 good little girl, Miss Evie, I'm sure
you'll behave yourself"
Twill behave myself, Susan" replied Eve,
seriously; and thereupon Susan kissed her and
took her to the kitchen to show her where her
dinner was, and where she would find the
match box to light the candles With when it
grew dark. And see, dear, if We did happen
10 be little late and you wanted your tea,
here's the small copper kettle to make the
water boil; only you'll be sure TO use the holder
when you lift it of the fire. And you'Il mind,
dear, won't you, and not let the fire in The uar-
Tor 20 out. Don't try to put on much coal at
time, but sprinkle few little pieces pre,ty
often, and they viii be enough to kept bum
ing all day
Eyie asseuted, paying thoughtful attention
TO all these Instructions aud half-an-hour
afterwards cock and Susan. both dressed in
Their best clothes, sat out together, and the
chtld was LETT IN sole charge Of the house
1t was cold, frosty morning. There was
snow on the ground, but the sun shining
through the hare trees IN the mark threw a
rosy brightness on it. Standing at the window
OF the school-Toom, in her black dress. EVE
looked out on 70 the prospect and saw not
soul IN the park. There were only some binds
hopping about and making stars with Their
feet IN the snow as they pecked for fool
Eve would have liked 70 throw them some
bTead-crumbs, but she had forgotten 10 81
whether she might open the windows; besides.
she was so small and slight that she could
hardly have performed such feat unassistei
She had to stand on hassOck for her chin 10
reach the vindow-ledge. Presently she heard
the bells OF the village church, and wondered
whether any Of the people would notice she
was not there. Then she took her church.
service, aud sitting down on the hearth rug.
began 10 read the Lessons and Psalms Of the
day 10 herself in a whispering tone. Part ~
what she read vas beyond her oonprehcnsisn.
but she understood the story Of the Babe who
lad been laid in the manser, and who was
carried away by his Mother because KIM
herod wanted to Kill all little children. And
she understood that 1t was Of this Babe's
birthday that all sTown-up people and child
Ten trlet every year to he particularly good
at Chnstmas-time.
HE big house was very silent When the
enid had finished reading the service, she
went and Peeped out into the hall. Solitude
had no tsrrors for her, but it stirred her i'm
agInaiion and brought quaint fancies to her
mind, Presently she crept uustairs. and
thought she would play at being mistress az
the house and entertaining in it an the peaule
who IL her short life had ever been good 10
her. Many smile and kind word, forgotten
by these who had bestowed them, were ire
assured M IN the child's memory. as she went
from room 20 room pretending to give orders
10 a servant about getting the apartments
ready Tor her guests. Fires we're 10 be lit IN
The empty crates; sheets were to be put on
The beds, which looked SO bare with their
Blankets and counterpanes laid folded upon
tie mattresses Ewes small voice sounded
strange IN the empty room; but she enjoved
her game and the happiness it yielded Of Civ
ING hospitality to her friends. Only there
Eere ;hree Of the rooms-the three best
which could by 10 manner Of possibility have
become teuanied by those Tor whom She
reserved them These three" she said 10
her Imaginary servant, must he made verr
comfortable for papa, mamma, and baby |
The little orphan could but vaguely remem-
Der her parents and her baby brother, Who
lzI all three died n aL.nu- IL - go a.