The Washington critic., 1886-10-21
A NIGHTS LESSON.

anu INC CnaTlty Dali was very laSnlOu-
able; there was no doubt about that
Kitty had eaten late supper, returned
home, gone to bed and to sleep; there
was no more doubt about that. She re.
collected distinctly throwing one shoe
under the bed and the other into
corner, saying goodnight to her
own figure in the looking. glass, twist
Ing the figure of butterfly till her
fingers ached before she discovered
that 1t was not in the gas. stopper, and
then laughing seepily at all her mis-.
takes. She even remembered the first
dream Of her sleep, which was some
thing about charity diamonds, chicken
salad lanciers, and ice. cream waltzes.
No; there was no doubt that she had
gone all through this; yet there she
was, staring in at the window of the
great ballroom, and the ball was just
commencing. Could she have gone to
sleep on the window.sill In some mys-
teIious manner? No; she was outside,
and standing in the air with somebody
holding her hand.
ooh, dear p thought Kitty, mourn.
fully; "1 must have drunk some wine,
somehow. How strange 1t is won.
der how I came here? But what
cold hand holds mine; it's not papa's,
for 1t makes me shiver. He must be
horrid. / won't look at him Sop
There did not seem to be much need
of the resolve, however, for the person
who held her hand did not move nor
seem to care whether she saw him or
not, but quietly looked in with her.
So at last, like most girls, Kitty's curl.
osity got the better of her, and she
glanced out of the corners Of her
eyes.
Beside her she saw an old man. His
beard and hair were long and white,
and dropped about his neck and
shoulders like falling snow. Upon his
head was lightly placed a crown, as Of
frost.work, so delicate was its texture.
Robes long and dark, and cold to look
at, fellin broad folds from his shoulders
and were held to his waist by girdle
OF twinllling stars. He was gazing in at
the brilliant assemblage with a sad,
melancholy look upon his face.
Kitty looked at his robes. "How
very -fashioned!' she thought; land
aged, very agedv'
Eyes" murmured the old man, "old,
very DID,"
Kitty started. He read her thoughts
evidently. She was sorry now she had
thought 1t, he looked so sad.
''Mho are you2" asked Kitty, tim
idly, 'and why have you brought me
here?"
81 am the Cold Night" said the old
man, slowly turning his eyes toward
her. His eyes were sharp and piercing,
yet full of kindness. "And | have
brought you here that you might see
how great your charity is, for heard
this was a charity ball"
eyes" said Kitty, nervously.
II am friend to the poor" con-
tinued the Cold Night, land love to
see charity" He looked back into the
ballroom as he spoke. "You see all
your friends here2'
Eyes" said Kitty, Frightening up
and gazing inside with something Of a
proud look.
"There's Florry Hall right befor c
the window now. She has those beau.
tiful solitaire diamonds in her ears.
Oh, dear, how bright they lookl !
wish / had them"
"But you have the handsomest
dress" said the Cold Night. sadly.
ooh, yes" exclaimed Kitty, quickly.
"It was Of the richest silk, aud
cost several hundred dollars. Papa was
so kind"
"And 1t was bought for charity?"
asked the Cold Night.
why no." answered Kitty in sur.
prise, "for me, of course"
"But the ball Is for charity?"
Kitty began to be bewildered by sc
much catechising, and she was much
relieved when he led her away.
They descended to the grand en-
trance, where he pointed out two little
feggars, a boy and u girl who fiddlet
and sang, and asked penny of the
ich people descending from the car
iiages.
you passed them by tonight"
Yes" said Kitty; but they wert
horrid beggars." The Cold Night wa
silent, aud Kitty thought she Nigh
have said something wrong, so sht
added "and common street fiddlers.
But the Cold Night said nothing.
They both watched the little duo
"Tosey and Tibby," the Cold Nigh
said, and drew nearer to hear wha
they would say. People, rich will
money and great in charity, carefully
passed them by, for they were ragged
beggars and fiddled aud sang. 1t wa
cold, very cold; and Tosey played very
very slowly, while the breath of TiD
by's quivering plant disappeared des
pairingly in the frosty air. The wheel
of the carriages seemed to creak il
sympathy, as they crushed down tn
snow. Yes; IL was cold indeed, ye
They ilddled and sang untiringly, Will
the rich people alighted aud passed u
the grand entrance, after glancing con
temptuously at the poor little duo, VIII
tiddled and sang as the brilliant dresse
disappeared in the distant doorway
\ but finally stopped us the last carriag
drove away,
II suppose we looks too awful,
said Tosey, wettlng his lips, and fee,
ing vacantly in the small pocket
which, God knows, had not seen s
much as dime for many day
yes" said Tibby, "but | docs feel $
hungry, and | sang 50 loud, and tried 5
hard, and" Tibby slightly sobbed
aud silently used II small piece Of he
shawl to wipe away n large tear
Don't cry" said Tosy, tremulously
''let's move on, and perhaps wen fin
little somethin'. Oh If we only ha
a few penniesl" Tosoy took Tibby'
hand, and they started TO move away
"Oh, Mr.. Cold Night" eXclaime
Kitty, sorrowfully; "lct me give thcr
something, poor little things"
But they are beggars, anwcred tn
Cold Night
Kitty looked ashamed She coul
feel herself blush, even though she wn
cold and shlverlng. The Cold Nigh
handed her silver piece.
Yes said he; drop It, even II
is wasted. See what they will do"