The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-01-15
Mrs. Browns Christmas Present.

broke. and the child chokcd down 4
sob. 1t was SO cold, and she was so
very miserable. !,
With an oath, man lying on the
floor reused himself from ahaif-dr,nk-
en- stupor, and staggered toward her.
On ! What was he going to do: Would
he strike her? Tip shivered and held
her breath, but no blow came. IN
stead. he took her arm and shook her
roughly.
: ft:sTss7z==if4t an, ALWAYS beggin' for some
thing to cat ;-e-i.I.s-..ys cryin' ef it's cold.
IN get rid of We once fdr"sssA&ls--G Golne !,
Tip drew the old shawl over her
tangled curls, and followed him Won
deringly out into the frosty winter
nirht. The snow crept into the cracks
i'm her shoes, and the keen wind cut
through and through the little form !:
but Tip did not mind the cold. What
would he do with her:
II was Christmas Eve and the flooG
of ligh. from the great store windows
showed her throngs of people ant
wonderful Christmas gifts, but Iii
hardly looked at them. They were 60
ing toward the river t,e could NOT
mean to throw her in at is SO DARK
and swift and ICY" thought Tip, witt
a sob.
But the two crossed the river, anG
went on under the great arched en-
trance of the depot. In and out
among the crowds of people, bewiidcT-
ed by the clanor, the dim light, anG
moving trains, Tip followed her Ia
ther till he stopped before All empty,
lighted coach.
her ear, "get in that car, and craW.
under them seats, and keep close
Don'tye let lem catch you till ye'rl
TOO far from me to ever come back.
Dive hearo Tip nodded. So she was
to take journey! "But father" she
faltered. Swhen they find NE, and ask
where Pm going. what shall / say"
The man laughed. "Oh ! tell 'em to
New York;
"Nnd-will any one come for me, IA
there"
He laughed again; he was growing
nood-humorcd over this strange joke.
"Yes, Tip-a Mrs. Brown. YOU
can't miss her; she's pretty little Ia
DIV. is Mrs. Brown; short, with black
ewes and hair. Give her my regards,
from me- Now 60; IL!
The child clanlln.gr,I ~ IL" stops,
opened the duor:t cE".!i, ;,i!h ";in.!h@
noiselessly in, croIcird ul'':c: Il :;%''
by the stove. , -,
Tip was used to that, AMI, h@S HrS:
here was mere warmth than Siic HI"
felt for weeks.
CURED up snugly in her corner, she
gaZed around with widc-oprn eyes;
while she thought of New \ ork al"
Mrs. Brown, and wondered that she
had never heard Of lcr before.
Inside the empty car it was very
warm aud quiet outside, the noi5tS
grew fainter and fainter; The crilns"h
seats and glittering lights faded away.
Tips blue eyes closed, and MrS.
Browns Christmas present ieli l;'s'
asleep.
:: : = :: ::
"Dauvillr! Danvill4!' shouted tie
brakeman, opening HE door.
The train stopped, and gentleman
entered,-a big, breezy, pleasant faced
man, with little wreaths uf frost hang
ing from the gray eyebrows ami Wills
kers, and tiny drifts of snow all over,
him.
1t was Geld night, ;;iId he sank into
q seat by the stove with 4 sigh OF salts
faction. His foot touched something
soft. Giving il an impatient push, hc
peercd down beside the seal, ami
caught Il glimpse of a F%ggv:! shaw
and Il little, thin haAh.
"Bless men cried the man, with ii
start "what's all lhi." -" !:r"c, ny
child," lifting sleepy, i:i:"l'.ri''" mp
to her feet, "who a:c yul::''
"And whore did yon c"i:i" !.&i"
When did you Ct on: pm -"
know / can pat you oil, %iFi c''i.'''
ed i'm the conductor.
Perhaps thc brown hair and fright
ened eyes reminded the blS hial "i
little curly-head ut homo. Any way
he took tic child on lis Knee saying
"Now, my dear, tell Us about it.
Who put you on ~
"Father,n sohoed Tip.
"And where did You say you were
"To New York, TO Ms. Brown
"H'm! Well, well, conductor, y"H.
can't put the child oil this time "i
night. Let her ride. and I'll see liiat
she is no tr"uuir 10 y"u," said Zip"
protector.
So once more she curIr:i down t"
sleep, this time on the req rU>"!oh'
and tie train thundeIcd on.
They were entering the great ciiN,
and Christmas sunshine WAS pouring
through the windows when Ilpa""k".
Her friend Of tile night had Lett tic