The Hazlehurst signal. (Hazlehurst, Miss.) 1883-1885, 1883-12-27
WHAT CAME OF 1T.

huu now, HOOu-uNcs III VII ioi
the turkey. girls! We could not have
one for Christmas. hut we tcH have one
for New Years DAY." II was Theo
CLYDE who spoke. as she tied n faded
blue veil over her straw hat and drew
shabby fur cape close around her
white throat. She was very pretty
girl. with turquoisc-blue eyes, and u
dash of scarlet in her cheeks and lips.
III you get your money, YOU mean."
said stately Marian. Thco's elder sister.
who wore her calico wrapper with the
grace of n Princess royal.
80. Miss Briarby is always punctual,
and she will be satisfied with the dress,
know"
"And be sure you get apples and
raisins for the mince-mcat, Theo," cried
Madgc. the youngest of all. Lets
have real Christmas dinner to-mor-
row. IL IL is u week late. It's so long
since we've had nice dinncr"'
"But I'm only tn get three dollars
for the dress. YOU know, Madgc. I'll
do the best can with that" And.
snatching up small basket containing
the newly-finishcd dress, Thco trippcd
away IN gay splrllS'
The three girls kept house in the
Widow Spriggins' third-story front
room. Inside. the air was mild and
balmy rs n summer morning. but out
side Il was sharp and keen. and n fine,
powdery snow was beginning 10 fall.
The dress gave entire satisfaction. and
Miss Briarby wished Theo u happy New
Year.
Theo's purchases were soon made.
Such plump turkey. II almost filled
the basket on her arm. Then To the
mcat.shop for beef and Suct; and the
Jolly meat-man threw in y fresh, crisp
bunch of celery. smitten tn the heart, no
doubt. by Theo's bright eyes and ruby
lips. Next, two pounds of raisinS, So
rich and sugary it made ones mouth
water TO look ut them.
Half dollar remained, and Theo en-
tered n fruit-store. tempted by the dis
play OF goldcn-hued oranges and ba-
nanas, Brazilian dates. choice clusters of
Malaga grapes. luscious iigs and odor-
Gus pincapples. The gas was brilliantly
lighted inside. for the short December
day was fast drawing 10 close.
A man in slouched hat aud seedy
overcoat loungcd in after Theo. ana
stood leaning against the counter.
"Now, then. what do YOU wan,?" tie
mandcd the proprietor. roughly.
Nothing" was the low reply.
"rhcn the sooner You get out Of here
the better" clustered the vcnder of
tropical fruits. I'VE don't harbor
tramps"
I'm not tramp" answered the
stranger.
Then you're drunk; and get out Of
here before call policeman"
''For shame. Ofor shame" cried
Theo, with blazing eyes. TO treat a
human being SON New Years Eve,
too
"Hc's an impostor," asserted the
hard-hcar,ed 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 laskct into his
hand.
mo. no." said the poor man.
81 -
but YOU must. You will need il.
And take this. too"' 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. rs faint footstep
sounded ON the stairs. 1.-The basket
mus, be heavy, she walks so slowly.
f,,. all.
haven't brought il! Was IL too heavy?
Are they going to send it?'
Theo related her adventure.
"And I'm only sorry YOU and Marian
will be disappointed" she added, re-
Cretfully.
"You did perfectly right" said Mar
ian. heroically. 1--WE are not starving
Yet, thank goodness and he was, poor
man.
but Theo still shook her head, and
the tears sparklcd in her eyes.
I'm glad YOU gave 1t to him. cried
Madge, and added. softly. "You know,
Theo. who ha, said: Inasmuch as We
have done il unto the least OF these, We
have done it unto Me-"
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 ut them and not blink; the round
brass knobs on the old-fashioned wal
nut sideboard beamed good.naturedly
in the slant rays Of the morning sun; n
pot OF bright yellow chrysanthemums
stood in one of the white -curtained win
dows. fragrant and full of bloom. and
q handsome tortoise-shell eat took her
morning nap on a 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 ut least Of more extend
ed sphere Of action.
Suddenly heavy. numbering stepwas
heard on the stairs, and sounding rap
on the door caused momentary panic
in the little room.
Marian. rsllying first. opened the
door.
"A box. mum. for Miss Theo Clyde
expenses paid. num-"
The girls looked at each other in as
constituent.
There's no direction on the box"
said Marian. examining II carefully.
ats mistakc-it's not for u" said
Theo.
Lets open H." cried Madge. at
can't hurt us. anyway, and she pro-
duced n Ratchet.
They pounded and pricd at the lid,
bruised their fingers. and finally got the