The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-12-27

countenance, hobbled on his crutches along the curb, apparently seeking to avoid the crowds on the sidewalks. No. all was not happiness. There were signs of misery, of want and woe to be seen when one more closely scanned the faces of the crowd.
 As darkness gathered, Reddy stood with his back against a lamp post in Printing House square, slowly and care fully counting a handful of money. There was one silver quarter, new and bright, number of dimes, many nickels and a score of pennies, colorless and worn. There were new coins fresh from tue mint and the bankers pocket and old coins, battered and pierced, which had passed through many hands, rich and poor alike. Reddy's days work was over, and gieam of mingled delight and satisfaction illuminated his countenance as he counted his last coin and placed his money in his pocket. Another boy, with box thrown over his shoulder, ap- preached and called Reddy by name.
 "Hello, Bob P said he, "how much lave yer7"
 "Seven'y-6ve," replied the lad ad- dressed, as he triumphantly displayed his earnings in the palm of his hand.
 "How much be you ?" he asked.
 An aristocratc air graced Reddy's countenance as he replied:
 "Dollerin-half"
 It was to him princely fortune. More than he had ever owned in his life before. He unused to himself of the Christmas pleasures that money would bring him and then said aloud to his companion
 "Say, Bob, you bet I'll have a dinner to-morer fit fer ole Vand'bilt hisself. I'll go gobbler's leg and breast, with cranberry sauce and the best and incest kind of fixin's. Then I'll have two big slices of puddin' and pie; well, you bet I'll freeze on to whole nlince pie or bust. Then I'll top off on doughnuts, four or five of lem, and cheese and boss cup Of coffee. 'Thstn be A. F., as yer wholesale grocery shop sez. But guess I'll take the coffee pipin' hot and the pie first. Grub tastes better ef yer begin on pie and wind up with somethin' else Then in the evenin' twilight ez lem stage fellers sez, I'll go down to the Bowery and see The Seven Goblins of Dundee,' or some piece about spooks. don't know jest whether that's the name oft or not. If don't celebrate this yer Christmas in bang up style, my names not Reddy, you can chalk it down." and Reddy slung his box over his shoulder and stuffed both hands deep into his trousers pockets
 He parted company with Bob and hurried down the street clutching the money in his pocket tightly and hum ming the air of rollicking song, the words of which he had listened to at the Bowery. His heart was light and he s.rove to convince himself that he was the happiest boy in all New York.
 He made his way toward Centre street and turned into Pearl. Just at this moment he heard voice at his elbow and before him beheld the slender form of young girl. She was ragged and tat tered and by the flickering glare of the street lamp Reddy caught a glimpse of her face, which was pale and pinched. There was a gaunt and hungry look in her ceuutenance, which was strangely fair, and over her delicate features there remained lingering touch of the grace and purity of childhood. A tangled mass of disordered nut-brown hair cov- cred her shoulders and there was mo- thing to protect her head from the chilling blasts of winter.
 Reddy stopped short and gazed long and thoughtfully at the slender form be fore him. He saw that her little wit hered hand was stretched forth for charity and peered into her hungry looking eyes, which were big, blue and sonewful. There was desperate, frightened stare in those sad eyes and the girl trembled as the cold winds whistled about her. Thousands had jostled her by on this . Christmas eve. She had been pushed and crowded and showed aside by men and women. The wealth and fashion oi the street dazzled her eyes and the big Jumps swelled in her throat as she saw ! so much happiness about her.
 She looked pleadingly at Reddy and the tears came to her eyes-big, hot tears . that rolled down her pale cheeks and 5 dropped on the ragged folds of her miser. , able attire.
 With trembling lips and feeble voice,