The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1888-02-11

OltNAANa NAAN nun AOCA RCANAJ '@A@
the first time in my life stood on
carpet. The hall, with the pictures,
the winding stairs, the oak chairs
and the carpet, was like fairyland to
me. | listened to the right behind
one of the brass-knobbed doors 1
heard the cracking ofa wood fire. l
opened the door softly and went in.
Mrs. Allen was sitting before an open
fire of big logs all surrounded by
brass tenders and shining andirons,
and this room had a soft floor, too,
and beautiful pictures and furniture.
She was knitting, an open Bible on
the table near her.
"Why, little girl, how you scared
me !" she said.
"I-I've brought you a Chris'mus"
l stammered. "You was kind to
me; l wanted to thank you for the
flowers an all an there isn't any
Christmas over ter Beach's. It's all
got honest, for Mis- Beach give me
the kaliker an the silk was yourn. 1
give it back to you though the silk
was yourn an I set store by it, but
as Rices alwas gives up our best
things for presents
took out of my apron a queer
little pincushion, the top made of
her silk, the bottom of the calico. 1
had filled it with the cleanest feath-
ers | could find from the dead chick
ems and hens, and oh how painful
ly had sewed every stitch with a
rusty needle and rotten thread. She
laid her spectacles off to wipe her
eyes and kissed me twice. Then she
put the cushion carefully in the
drawer of an old desk, smoothing it
and patting it into shape first. Then
she brought me a piece of the best
cake / ever ate. After a few NOM
ents, during which she had been
looking at a gilt clock under glass
shade on the mantel she put a
shawl over her head and went up
stairs. She cautioned me not to
touch anything and not to leave my
chair, but she knew l was well be-
haved and l needn't be afraid of
Miss Eliza, for she would not come
for three hours. So sat all alone
in the enchanted room for a long
time. l got up once and put..a stick
of wood on the fire and remember l
swept up the ashes 1 made on the
hearth with little brush hanging
near and trembled at my daring. l
told her when she came back, but
she only said "Good child"
1t must have been cold up stairs
where l had heard her walking, for
her hands were red and trembling.
She warmed them at the fire and
then held out a pretty shell. "Would
you like that, little Jane ?"
I looked at it wistfully, holding it
very carefully. 81 would" l answer
ed, "but 1 would feel l oughter give
it to the Beaches next Christmas an
they would soon smash it. It's us
Rices' ways and couldn't keep it,
but I thank you marm, jest the
same" My lips quivered as gave
it back.
"Poor Jane." she smiled. "Well,
here's a doll 1 made you when l was
up stairs" She handed me a big
rag dool half as large as myself. 1t
was hurriedly dressed and the face
made with blue chalk, was smirch-
ed.
81 want you to keep that always,
said Mrs. Allen. Don't let the chill.
dren have it. 1 put old rags on il
so Mrs. Beach would not take it a.
way from you. Hide it in your
place in the hay-loft and fyou bring
it to me next Christmas day as nice
and clean as it is to-day-mind you
do not hurt nor soil a speck-you
shall have gold dollar for youl
own
All how pleased l was The
Beach children hated rag dolls
They had wooden ones, bought al
the stores, so this treasure | could
keep. Up in the haymow | could
have a friend and con6dant.
thanked Mrs. Allen and she kissed
me again and held the.door open til
was safely across the dark hall
Then l ran home, hid my treasur,
away in far corner of the old barn
where it stayed unmolested, fol
only could crawl out on the mar
row bean to the place where piec,
of timber protruded and made my
perch. l covered my pet with hay
and visited her whenever | coulc
get chance, and l think was hap
pier for having her to talk to.
"Didn't she get dirty none?" ask
Betty with deep interest.