The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-12-23
LITTLE CaARISTMAS.
BY FLORENCE REVERE PENDA1


Tin-Kettle Alley-well that was the
name it usually went by when the dwell
ers of its rookeries of tenements alluded
to it, but probably in the New York
Directory it was entered differently, al
though the appellation it was best known
by was decidedly appropriate; for repos-
ing upon its refuse heaps, lying battered
almost beyond recognition along it's gut
ters, were always to be found these dis
carded utensils of cookery.
This Christmas Eve, however, the soft
snow fakes that had been falling all day
had enveloped them in fantastic shapes,
and covered with its pure mantle the
unsightliness of this poor mans wretched
abiding place.
Dark shadows elongating themselves
from the tall rookeres, threw quaint fig
ures across the narrow stretch of the alley ;
here and there CLEAN of light shone from
a broken window-pane, whilst away
above in little patch of sky a star
blinked friendly-like I-wish- -I-could-make-
things-better-for- r-you-down-there way
at least that was something like what
Dick Stratton imagined it twiDkled, as he
glanced at its brightness thereby coming
very near tripping over the spout of a
kettle that the snow had not as yet sue
ceeded in enshrouding.
Thrusting his numbed fingers into his
trousers pockets, Dick fell to whistling
a CHEEKY strain, in good-natured defiance
of the sharp, nipping air that was creep
ing in under his. .tattered old coat-a coat
that could also have easily accommo-
dated his twin.
Dick, however, was not particular,
having no recollection of anything better,
and being possessed of sunny disposi-
tion, took all his hardships philosophi-
cally.
So he hurried briskly along toward his
goal, which soon left the wretched alley
behind and brought him to Grand Street.
Three years before, on just such anoth-
er Christmas Eve, Dick had also been
abroad. Not like unto this nj ,ht, on
some particular errand bent, merely stray
ing hither and thither, as be felt inclined.
Slowly he had sauntered along, now and
then pausiug to gaze in at some merry
Christmas party, and vaguely wonder
why such had never fallen to his lot.
All at once faint little cry reached his
ears, and coming to standstill, he peered
inquiringly round.
No one was in sight, the street appear
ed to be deserted. The cry repeated it.
self, and -
eyes," Dick thought: cit certainly
came from the stoop of the big house on
the opposite side of the street."
Running hastily across, he crept eau.
tiously up the steps, and there, just in
front of the door, lay tiny tot of per-
haps year and halt, her little body
warmly enveloped in thick shawl.
The child ceased her crying as Dick, in
amazement, bent over her; then, as she
vainly struggled to release herself from
the shawl's tight folds, her pretty lips
took on a grieved curve, and two big
tears shone in her dark-blue eyes.
Hold on little un. I'll fix your ex-
claimed Dick, smiling good naturedly,
and very gently, if somewhat awkwardly,
he took the little girl in his arms, and sit
ting down upon the stoop, loosened the
shawl from about her chubby hands.
Cooing softly, the little thing patted
gers, and nestled her golden head against
his tattered coat With pleased laugh,
Dick calculated
"Never you be afeared, Totty. Dick'll
stand by you, and don't you forget it."
Somewhat puzzled as to what should
be his next move, Dick gazed up at the
big house, on the stoop of which he sat.
1.-h 70 ho
aspect they've all gone to bed" he
remarked; adding, "but I'll ring 'em up,
never fear, baby" encouragipgly patting
the little girls back, who sat most con-
tentedly upon his knee.
Suiting his actions to his words, Dick
gave the bell q terrific pull; yet, despite
his repeated efforts in that direction, no
one came to open the door. At last, with
rather dubious look, he reseated him.
self.
"Guess I'll have to take the young un
to the station-house. That's where they
takes 'em when they's lost" be solilo-
quized.
Then as his gaze fell upon the little
one whose cheek rested so trustingly
against his breast and whose pretty eyes
were beginning to close in slumber, be,
suddenly making up bis mind out loud,
calculated:
"No, won't. I'll keep her. Granny
won't mind such pretty little dear
Anyhow, here goes" and tightly clasping
the sleeping child in his arms, Dick
trudged manfully in the direction Of Tin
kettle-Alley.
An hour or two later, as granny was
noddine over the few embers that their
scanty means allowed, Dick burst into
the room and triumphantly disclosed te
his astonished relatives eyes the sleepine
child. M s' =
aFor mercy's sake, child! Whist ha
you done now p was the old woman
amazed exclamation.
Whereupon Dick told how he had
found the little tot, adding: ..'s
sAud, granny, ] nean 70 keep her fol
my Chrisemas. - @s.' e'T 1
as.The Lord help tye for o young un,
~..-~.r~nl Sv~srssty = v9haff vtl ORn hAr0iy