The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-01-01
TIPS CHRISTMAS DINNER.

Such a cold Christmas day as it
was. with the thermometer hiding
shivering at the very bottom OF it's
glass prison, and with the wind rae
ing and shrieking wildly along the tele-
graph wires. There was snow, too
tiny, whirling flakes, that felt like
needles when they touched your face
or hands. Even the great, gloomy,
dirt begrimed warehouses seemed to
shiver and crouch beneath the fury of
the cruel north wind.
"Shinel shine! shine 'em up for a
nickel!' Tips shrill, boyish voice
rose above the shrieking of the winds,
ana>his round face, made rosy and
glowing by the nipping OF the wind and
snow flakes, shone from behind the
folds OF his ragged red comforter"
"Whew!" gasped Tip, as q sudden
gust ofwind almost forced him to make
animpromptu seat of the hard pave
ment, ''what a day! Wish't l was to
home. Even Granny Macarthy's old
shanty is bette'n nothink. don't
see why they call this Christmas Day.
Granny must "a had streak O.
luck when she ga me this comforter.
Jest as good as new, only little holey
P'r'aps Jed made a big haul yesterday.
Ugh! | wouldn't go a-pocket- pickin'
for a forchin. Sh'd think Jed O'Neale
d lay awake all night -thinkin' bout
what he's been ;i-doin'. Stealth silk
wipes may pay better'n blackin'
boots, but l would't do it for Granny
Mccarthy er eranybody else!
sShine, Sir? Only a nickel" as fat
figure, all mulfied up in a shaggy ul-
ster and q seal skin cap, came putting
and blowing around the corner.
"Oh, go long, boy" said the fat fig
ure, irately. "Do you think Pm going
to stand here and freeze to death in
order to get my boots polished?"
Thought you might want rest
right here" said Tip, very meekly
though his bright blue eyes were
twinkling merrily.
With an ineligible snort the fat
figure puffed on again.
"Only two shines to-day" thought
| Tipdisconsolately. IAN it's pastnoon
l thought | would have a dinner in
style, to-day, with turkey an choc'
late an puddin' an so forth, but ter
cents won't buy it. Ten cents extry,
now, would jest do it. Heigh-ho! why
wasn't | born swell banker. or else q
be-yutiful bankers daughter, with
! goldin' hair and laughin eyes?'
| Then another figure in an ulster and
a sealskin cap came by. This gentle
man wasn't short and fat, but tall anG
graceful He was just opposite Tip
when his foot slipped on the treacher
Gus pavement, md dow, he went with
a 9ull thunp.
I'm ever so glad to say that Til
didn't laugh. Ii he had laughed In
afraid I'd have been so ashamed o
my hero that would have left this
little story all untold. Most boys
would have laughed, but Tips face
was as grave as Il judges as he linlpet
over-Tip was lame, you must know
and proceeded to help the gentleman
to his feet
"a very bad fall that" said Tip
with solicitude. Hope you didn'
| break no bones, sir?"
| "Oh, guess not, thank you," sale
Mr.. John Branch, rubbing his bruises
tenderly. Don't you want to black
EN- my boots, boy?"
Course, sir" began Tip, brightly
"but," obviously, your boots dom
seem to need much shinin'."
81 think they do need shining" s,lit
Mr.. Branch, with quiet decision, a fun
ny laugh in the Jolly brown eyes.
! So Tip set to work with will, ant
in less than a minute Mr.. Branch
boots We're like twinkiing mirrors.
"Whew! bet the fellows rich,
thought delighted Tip, as he pocketet
the quarter of a dollar Mr.. Branch in
sisted on his taking. 'P'raps he's to,
proud to carry small change in hi
pockets. You don't catch me bein'
proud as all that. Pennies air sgood
dollars, say. if you've got plenty G
'em. And now for the swellest res
taurang in town. O. cricky, that fe
lows lost his pocket-book, sure
gunsl' making dive for the pave
ment.
eli! hi, there!" shrieked Tip, shri
| ly, '.come back and get your property
| Say-y. mister" and Tip FASTENED afte
Mr.. Branch as fast us his lame lie
uon,,} ,,a,p,i.