Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-12-23
THSSLb'S MERRY XMAS.

[Lii!ie DeTer K Blake in Dio --Lewis' Month
or December.
The DecemL.c afternoon was cold ard
gloomy everywhere, but in the wide hand
some city streets, the neat sidewalks an
the fire houses had look at least of
wealth and comfort. Here on the top of
high bill, where were crowded a cluster of
wretched novels, the misery and cheerless-
ness of the scene were intensified by the
dull say and the chilling winds.
These squatter houses were huddled
one sgainst another es if SO they might
keep each other up, some OF the n despite
this friendly support, leaning over at an
alarming angle. The old snow was trod-
den to mud in devious paths that crossed
the hill in irregular directions. On the
bits of fence which surrounded some of
the more ambitious Installations were hung
wretohed articles of clothing. A misera-
bic goat was regarding some of these as if
wondering whether any of them
would serve for meal.
The OILY way to reach this curious ham
let was by a path which led OBVIOUSLY up
the rocks from the street below. These
rocks, indeed, formed the reason of the
existence of this refuge for poverty. They
rose in a jagged pile thirty feet above the
regular grade of the city, and thus had
made the lots on which they stood, for the
present, undesirable property by reason of
the cost Of building there. So that,
although IN the midst of a closely built
neigh0orhood, this block was as yet unim-
proved.
The path leading upwards, always rough
and difficult, was wet and slippery now,
and the little girl who was climbing it
found it slow and laborious work. She
was bit of a child, Hot more than seven
years old, shabbily dressed in crimson
cashmere frock Of fine quality and deli
oate make, and wearing battered straw
hat. From under this looked out sweet,
delicate face, with gentle blue eyes and
soft fair hair, face of unmistakabIe
refinement, despite the fact that
it was stained and soiled and
had wofully pinche and hungry look.
Over her arm she carried a basket, which
x
ed from any harm in her upward scram-
BILE, even falling down herself rather than
permit her precious burden to drop.
AS the little thing, painting with her
struggle, reached the top of the hill. she
was suddenly confronted by the goat, who,
finding no nutriment in the forlorn rags
he had been shifting, was strolling about
in search of other amusement. He had
long felt grudge against the child be-
cause of her red dress. He never saw il
without becoming enraged, and now, as he
caught sight of the frightened little face
and the crimson frock, he squared him
self and dropped his head with a danger
look IN his unrees0ning black eyes.
As soon as she saw her old time foe, the
little girl began to cry. Clutching the
basket more tightly than ever, she said,
$50 away, naughty Biily" and then, as
the creature took step nearer TO her, she
shreked i'll terror,
'Ellen. Enenw
At the point she had resohed there was
large, rough rock which shelved over some
what on one side, auG, just rs The goat rose
in the air and butted ahead dangerously,
the child by sudden spring crouched III
der this, crying more than ever, and call
Elem Ill pitifui, hSif-ssitlsd tones. It
was very damp and muddy where she
crouohed, her clothes were getting wetter
every moment, and she vas shivering with
cold ana terror. But amid al her distress
she Rugged the basket closely to her, SEEM
ing 10 derive some feeling of comfort from
its contact
The goats hoofs could be heard crunch
ing about on the rocks above for soma
minutes, but after svile they jumped down
and trotted away. The little girl cautious
ly peeped out, and seeing that her enemy
had disappeared, she scrambled out of her
hiding place and began to move towards
one OF the novels. But the goat had only
gone short distance, and before she could
reach sny shelter he came running towards
her with awkward and belligerent leaps
Seeing now no chance of escape, panic of
terror overoame the poor little girl, and
she uttered shrek after shrek, even in this
extremity, however, putting her basket on
the side away from the goat. Her cries
were not unheard, and, just as the goat had
almost reached her, stout girl of four
teen came running ont from behind near
house. She was armed with large stick,
which she brandished Overwhelmingly as she
cried.
"Shoo, Billy! git cut YOU beast, git
OUT"
The goat retreated, and Ellen caught the
sobbing child il her arms.
''Poor dear little darling Tessie," she
said IL a tender voice. Ibid the naughty
old Biz fcighten my sweet pet?'
80, so scared" sohbed the child, as
soon as she could speak, Il so scared!"
''Yes, dear, so you was; but he can't
touch you 10 more,' said Ellen, soothingly.
Come along home now, it's nice and warm
there. Here, let ne take your basket"
But Jessie chung to it.
No, no, Ellen, L must carry it myself"
and as she held the beloved possession to
her heart her sobs died away to an cocoa
slonal oonvulsive gulp.
The two girls passed on, hand in hand,
to curious structure that they called their
home. It was originally a large packing
box, which had been, by the addition of
few boards, made into g tiny house for
these two little waits. Kind-hearted Pat
rick Flynn, who worked as a carpenter
when he was sober enough, had patched