River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-12-02
time, and the

Mo- said Tosey.
Or fell from the skies9"
Guess not. said Tosey, obviously.
Or been ilungedP''
10. nor Tosey ans wered emphatic
ally.
They both looked hungrily at the
piece of money, and began to count to-
gether what lots of things they could
buy, and their faces grew bright indeed
as they thought of it.
From the shade of the opposite side
of the entrance, a thin bundle of rags
slowly erept and unsteadily shuiiled up
To them: Out of the dirt and rags
peered thin face and glistening eyes.
and the hands of the small bundle
YEARLY rubbed themselves together, to
try and stir up the blood which was not
there.
This is a charity ball., said the
thin bundle. Those folks dance for
tho poor" The glisteniug eyes looked
eagerly at Tosey and libby, and fire.
quently glanced az the money IN their
hands. 1--WE is poor, and they dances
for us, and for my mother, who is sick
abed; they dances TO give us the bread
which we seldom has.
Tosey looked in surprise at the thin
bundle, rubbing and rubbing its hands.
And does they dress in fine clothes
for rs, and ride in carriages, and give
lots of money, aud all for usP'
The thin bundle rubbed faster and
faster.
yes, if there's any more than as
pays for the dancin' and dressin, and
the dancin' costs $40 apiece. and the
dressin' %, | dunuoi It's all for US
if there any left. =
"Rut they didn't give us any when
| SANG. said libby.
"Lors, no!' said the thin bundle;
''they think beggars don't need nothin.
They has folks rs hunts up poor folks
when they has time, and sews ilannels
when they hasn't Yes, they hasn't.
Yes, they say they does all this for us,
but the bundle shook its head as il
itwere doubtful. and continued:
II stood over yonder thinkiD' some
body would give me somethin'; but
they looked mad at me, and ! went
back inter the shadder and watched
en- Ii was big sight, but I'm just
as hungry" The hands stopped rub
bing. and the eyes looked wet as the
bundle added: My mother is very
very sick. o. Yves poor-so poor!
Tosey looked at his sister as the rags
began to shuttle away.
"ribby. said he, I'VE does not fee
so awful hungry"
libby hesitated. She looked at the
silver. and then at the slowly retreating
figure. and then she looked up into
Toscy 5 loving face.
mo, Tosey; | dunno as | does. Z"
Tosey turned around, and, running
after the departing figure, handed hel
the piece Of money.
..'lherer' said he. "takeit; yeu need
it more than we does. "
The bundle looked in surprise as she
took the piece. and tears fell dewn The
cheeks of the thin, pale face. But she
only said; I'm very grateful, and
walked off.
The two little musicians watched
the figure as il disappeared in the
darkness, while the happy shuttle OF
the feet grew fainter and fainter. Alb,
here was charity, god.like charity, in
the hearts of the beings that the rich
despised and thrust from their door!
As the Cold Night turned toward
Kitty, he found her silently wiping her
eyes
DO you see what true charity is?''
he asked, IN sweet, sympathetic
voice
Yes, yes murmured Kitty, 81 see,
see.
While they were talking, they had
slowly risen up, up to the brilliant
windows again.
Now look at the mockery," said the
/ Cold Night, somewhat harshly.
| 1t was the most brilliant hour Of the
/ ball. Lights from myriads of Jets i'm
bedded in crystal chandeliers sparkled
with Jewels, aud silks and laces were
gathered in merry groups or joining il
/ pleasurable dance to the strains oi
sweet and pleasurable music. 1t was
/ a beautiful sight, indeed; but somehow
/ the people looked heartless TO Kitty
and tho jewels glittered spitefullY
while the rich silks seemed to hiss and
hiss as they rustled along, as if al
were rebelling against their false use,
"But one more act, said the Cold
/ Night, gently leading her down, down
/ to the opposite side of the street.
From a dark corner, with their arms
twined about each others neck, the
two little beggars watched the win
dows of the brilliantlv-lighted hall
away up in the sky it seemed-watchec
the gay figures that frequently APP
peared in rich, dainty dresses, and
smiled to think it was ali for the poor
and needy.
They dance for us and for others. 7
murmured libby; For those as is il
want. Maybe the beautiful ladies viii
find us here tomorrow and give u:
some bread. >
Yes" said Tosy; 'and the poor
little girl as hasothe sick mother
P'raps they'll find them, and Q hell
4 them too.
The Cold Night waved his hanC
above them, and they both shivered
and said how cold it was. Tosye tried
| to play a note on the violin, but the
strings creaked so dismally that he laid
it aside. Then they sang together The
sweet little song of charity libby had
sung to the rich people; and as they
sang the Cold Night spread his mantle
slowly around them until they were
fast asleep.
20. siri'' cried Kitty, "spare them
and let them live''
NO" said the Cold Night; They
are too poor to live. They must die. '
Kitty fell upon her knees before him.
20 sir! " she pleaded, beseeehingly; Il
am rich and will take care of them. and
relieve them from suffering
But the Cold Night raised his hand
and pointed upward, saying.
TOO late, too late!
As he spoke. he took the beggars in
his arms and slowly rose up toward
the stars, leaving Kitty sobbing upon
the ground. And. as she knelt there,
she heard. high in the skies, the song
that the beggars sang, the song OF
sweet charity, swelling to a mighty
! chorus. rs one would think
/ % celebrate mighty deed
In the sight Of Heaven. She tried to
raise her head but could not; she
seemed bound to the earth by great
weight, as of gold; while above the
song grew fainter end fainter, till at
/ last it ceased, and she fell into a deep
woon.
II was broad daylight when Kitty
awokc, and the sun was shining bright
/ w into her window. In the hall the
maid was humming subdued song as
she went blithely about her work
/ while without the white smoke OF
morning fires-signs of stirring life
eurled inward from the chimney-tops