Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-27
CHAPTER II.

| many nights in that cold and cherries attic.
CHAPTER II.
But Pierre Pujors toilsome task had it's bright
side and that was that he was busted outdoors
and not called upon to stand for the hvelong
day and watch the laughing and light-hearted
crowds of parents and children as they swarmed
| up and down the long counters, making their
| purchases. and listen to their chat as they an
| ticipated the JOY and surprise Of the loved ones
| at home, when the moment should come to
open the packages and survey the contents.
| Several times in his comings and gOings Pujol
passed friends and acquaintances who had
known him in his better days. but SO pinched
and altered by hunger was his countenance, SD
shabby and worn his clothing and, above all, 80
loaded down was he with bundles and packages.
not only suspended from each arm, but
strapped to his back, that they little thought
the man was the once happy and light-hearted
Pierre they had known. so full of kindliness and
amiabiiity, so thoroughly trustworthy and
| capable. and SO popular with every one.
But Pujol had no time for indulgence in
gloomy recollection. His thoughts were all
with the present, which hour by hour took on
a brighter hue. and. as he trudged along on the
long and weary errands, the music Of little
Branches voice rang in his ears, and the soft,
hopeful eyes of the womanly little Julie glowed
upon him like two beacon lights set in the
gloom which had not yet entirely lifted. Then
came The glad thought that the old year had
but two days more to live; that on New Years
eve he would receive his pay for the weeks
work. and that then he should be in position
to carry not only the cakes and candies to his
children, but the doll of which they had been
dreaming for so many weeks.
So absorbed did poor Pierre become in an
ticipating the joyful New Years day which was
in store for him that quite unconscious Of
where he was and what he was about he halted
and standing in the very middle of the side
walk began the task Of trying to persuade HIM
self that he would be able to afford good big
doll for his children.
Let me see'' said he half aloud. as he meas
ured off the length with his hands, 'about so
long. oh. no. cannot think Of it, That's too
big. But there, SO long. think would not be
too expensive. possibly little shorter. say of
that length, counting the bonnet. or even a lit
tie shorter would satisfy nay darlings. know it
would. They are 80 good. But not an inch
shorter than that, there, that"
A burst of laughter aroused Pierre from his
beautiful dream. With look of almost terror
he raised his head to find group of BOYS and
idlers encircling him and Watching his strange
he pushed his way through the jeering crowd,
which again broke out into mocking laughter
as he went his way.
At last the 31st day Of December had come.
Pierre's heart felt a leaden weight laid upon it
when he found that the sun wasn't Ginning,
that the air was filed with cold and penetrat-
ing mist and that the sidewalks were as wet and
slippery As if they had been smeared with
grease. 1t meant a cruelty hard days work for
him, but he took courage. 1t would be the last
before the glad New Year dawned and then
there would be at least twelve hours Of happi-
Eess for him.
A. break Of day while the children were still
sleeping soundly, Pujol slipped out Of his attic
and made his way through the silent streets to
the establishment where he was employed. His
heart sank within him ard his legs seemed raa Nv
to bend under him at the mere sight Of the
the huge pile Of packages which had been as
signed to him for distribution on this last day
Of the year
But, making a great efort to draw some little
comfort from the outlook by contrasting it with
his position the week just passed, he buckled
down to work and by nOOntime had succeeded
in reducing the pile to less discOuraging pro-
portions. But, as the day wore on, it required
| a tremendous effort of his will power to bring
himself TO return to the shop for the last load
His legs and feet were tired to the bone and q
score OF Undesirable aches and pains shot
from his soles to his hips every step he took.
When o'clock tolled out solemnly from the
belfry Of a neighboring church he had almost
finished his days work. There was but one
package that remained to be delivered, but it
was large and heavy one, and noticing that
| its destination was good mile away and that
| he was at that moment near home, he deter
| mined to climb the stairs to his cherries attic
Il
and eat crust Of bread before starting out on
this last errand Of the day, this last task Of the
| old year.
kind-hearted woman inhabiting one Of the
| best apartments in the house was in the habit
of sending for the children in Pujol's absence
and meIding and caring for their clothes.
| They were with this friend now, and as it was
l New Years eve Pujol was quite certain that the
good soul would hold on to them later than
usual, so, in order to make sure of getting his
/ weeks pay, he resolved to return at once to the
shop. and. after he had drawn his money,
| bought presents for the children and snugiy
tucked the rest of his money away in his
pockt, to return home see the little ones safely
in bed and then set out to deliver the last
| package.
He was quite astonished to find that at least
| one-haf OF his long list of aches and pains had
been cured by his half hours rest and cup OF
coffee and crust Of bread, and he stepped along
with a much lighter heart on his way to the
mammoth establishment in which he had 30
fortunately obtained EMPLOYMENT.
| All was still hurly-burly in the various depart-
ments, and the hundreds Of employees were
I rushing hither and thither executing the last
| orders Of the year 10 that they might hurry
home to their families.
Pujors heart felt lighter as he glanced at the
pale and haggard faces of these fellow sufferers,
who now for nearly q month had often
been obliged to eat their lunches as they
stood at their posts and he forgot his own
troubles in pitying them Picking his way