River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-12-02
A NIGHTS LESSON.

and the charity ball was very fashion,
able; there was no doubt about that.
Kitty had eaten a late supper. return
ed home and gone 20 bed and TO sleep;
there was no more doubt about that.
She rccollected distinctly throwing one
shoe under the bed and the Other into
corner. saying 'tsood-night'' to her
own figure IN the lookingglass, twist
ing the figure of butterfly till her
fingers ached before she discovered that
it was not in the gas-stopper, and then
laughing sleepily at all her MISTAKES.
She even remembered the first dream
OF her sleep. which was something
about charity diamonds, chicken salad
lanciers. and ice-cream waltzes.
No. there was no doubt that she had
gone through all 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 windowsill in some mys-
FERROUS manner? No. she was outside,
aud standing in he air with somebody
holding her hand.
20. dear!" thought Kitty, mourn
fully. II must have drank some wine,
somehow. How strange 1t Is! | Won
der how | came hereP iSut what a cold
hand holds mine; it's not papa's, for
it makes me SILVER. He must 90 hor-
rid. won. look at him. Sol"
There did not seem to be much need
of the resolve. however. for the person
who held her hand did not move or
seem 10 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-wor&, so delicate was its texture.
Robes long and dark, and cold To look
At. fell in broad folds from his should
ers and were held to his waist by a
cirdle of twiukling stars. He was gaz-
ing in at the brilliant assemblage with
a sad, melancholy look upon his face.
Kitty looked at his robes. How
very old-fashioned! she thought
and aged, very aged"
YES. murmured the old man, "old,
very old.
Kitty started. He read her thoughts
evidently. She was sorry now she had
thought it, he looked so sad.
WHO are you?" asked Kitty timid-
IL, ''and why have you brought me
here?'
Il I'm the Cold Night" said the old
man. slowly turning his eyes toward
her. His eyes were sharp and pierre
ing. vet full Of kindness. "And have
brou yht you here that you might see
how great your charity Is, for | Heard
this was charity ball. =
Yes said Kitty, neryously.
II am a friend to the poor" contin-
ued the Cold Night, land | love to see
charity" He looked back into the
ballroom as he spoke. You see all
your friends here?.
Yes. said Kitty. Frightening up
and gazing inside with something of a
| proud look.
There's Florry Hall right before the
window now. Sac has those beautiful
solitaire diamonds in her ears. .,
dear. how bright they look! | wish
/ had them.
But YOU have the handsomest
dress. said the Cold Night, sadly.
20 yes. exclaimed Kitty. quickly.
1T was Of the richest silk aud cost sew
eral hundred dollars. Papa was 50
kind.
"And it 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 so
much chastising. and she was much re-
lieved when ne led her away.
They descended to the grand en-
trance where he pointed out two little
/ bepgars, a boy and girl, who fiddled
and sang, and asked penny of the
rich people descending from the car
i riages,
You passed them by tonight"
Eyes. . said Kitty; "but they were
horrid beggars. The Cold Night was
silent, and Kitty thought she might
have said something wrong, so she
added: And common street iiddlers. "
/ But the Cold Night said nothing.
/ They both watched the little duo,
'.Tosey and libby" the Cold Night
said, and drew nearer to hear Whist
they would say. People rich with
money and great in charity, carefully
passed them by. for they were ragged
/ hecpars and hddled and sang. 1t was
cold, Tery cold; and Tosey played very,
very slowly, while the breath Of lib
/ bv's quivering plant disappeared de-
sparingly in the frosty air. The
wheels of the carriages seemed to creak
/ in sympathy, as they rushed down the
snow. Yes; it was cold indeed, yet
they fiddled and sang untiringly while
the rich people alighted and passed up
/ the grand entrance, after glancing con-
temptuously at the poor little duo, who
t iiddled and sang as the brilliant dresses
disappeared in the distant doorway,
but finally stopped as the last carriage
drove away.
Il suppose we looks too
awful" said Tosey. wetting his lips,
aud feeling vacantly in the small
/ pocket. which. God knows, has not
] seen So fUuGIl 1S y tlibt AOt AildhJ y
day. Yes" said libby. "but does
feel so hungry, and sang 50 loud, and
tried SO hard. -' libby slightly
soobed. and silently used a small piece
Of her shawl to wipe away a large tear.
Don't cry" said Tosey tremulous-
ly; ''lct 5 move on. and perhaps well
fiud little somethin.' o, if we only
had a few pennies!' Tosey took
libby hand, and they started to move
away.
20, Mr.. Cold Night. exclaimed
Kitty sorrowfully. let me give them
something, poor little things
'.But they are beggars, answered
the Cold Night
Kitty looked ashamed. She could
feel herself blush, even though she was
cold and shiveriug. The Cold Night
/ handed her a silver piece.
Yes, said he. drop it, even if it is
wasted. See what they will do.
Kitty took il quickly, dropped it be
fore them. Right at Tibb's foot fell
the money. which she would have pass.
ed unnoticed if Tosey had exclaimed
20. libby there is a dimei land
picked it up. libby clapped her hands in
/ -s.lf.,ht dauoad nm and down and then