The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1891-12-25

There was something miraculously swift
in the manner in which the old lady
dressed the dolls. She seemed as though
under spell of enchantment, for she SAM,
songs and kept time with her needle, that
flashed in the light as she piled it to and
fro. When she had finished about the
ffftieth doll in the basket, she exclaimed:
1T is now August and am so far in
arrears with this work that cannot
take the time to go to dinner. There
fore, bring me cup of strong green
tea" One of the plumpest of the little
girls brought the tea as requested, and
when the old lady had enjoyed sip or
two of it she was enabled to work faster
than ever. Finally she dressed the last
one in the basket, and when they were all
boxed and addressed some one rang the
doorbell
Say am not able to see any one today"
The little girl backed out of the room, and
then the old lady smiled pleasant smile,
while working away with renewed energy.
Even when she came to japanese doll,
which she did occasionally, she dressed it
with as much skill as Jap could have
done. She never paused in her work upon
the day when she reflected that it was late
in August, with Russia untouched and
New York in the same condition, with the
exception of the towns OF Callicoon and
Painted Post, until an expressman called
with large load of dry goods to be con-
7erted into dolls dresses.
Then she paused long enough to examine
the goods contained in the package, and
she smiled as only a woman can smile
while examining silks and satins, or even
gingham.
Rrr1 oyr hc,l ~ 4 60 IL,
ions in dolls clothing," she solilouuized
with great pride, land l must keep the
dolls in such charming gowns that they
will command the admiration of all lovers
of dress from Paris, France, to Paris, KY.
| never grow tired of dressing dolls and
often feel thankful that have nothing
else to do and that nothing can interfere
| with its progress" !"
Just then it began to rain.
"Susiep' shouted the old lady, run and
look at all the stalls, and see that none of
| the dolls get their hats or dresses wet. Run
quick!"
"They are all covered with oil silkv' re-
piled the little girl.
Are you sure that Spain and Wisconsin,
| next the door, are protecteds"
The little girl replied in the affirmative
Then get me another pot of tea lam way
behind now, and August is almost over
| with Russia untouched and New York ii.
| the same condition, with the exception ni
Callicoon and Painted Post Come, hurry
| with the pot of green tea, for l must c:,tc,,
up if have to work all night"
Often she will arise at in the morning
and go at her work and keep it up some.
times until after midnight. One day a
| little waif came to ask for something to
| eat, and when she saw the old lady dress
ing the dolls she uttered an exclamation
of joy. 81 have often seen them in shop
windows, but never had one in my bands
before" said the little waif And when
the old lady gave her doll all her hunger
left her, she was so happy. And then she
| spoke of the great number lying around.
81 do nothing but dress dolls all day."
said the old lady pleasantly.
You must have very large family"
remarked the girl innocently.
''In one sense l have" said the old lady,
"and am working day and night for its
little members. You know sometimes on
Christmas Santa Claus never calls at some
houses''
INJURED the waif
harder than ever, and surprising the child
with the swiftness of her fingers, "when
Santa Claus doesn't call at every house it
is because he hasn't enough to go around y
'1s that the reason?" asked the waif.
'That is the reason" replied the old
lady, 'and l am doing my best to see
that Santa Claus has dolls enough to GO
around"
"Do you know Santa CLAUSE" asked the
child in wonder.
"Know him?" responded the old lady
pleasantly. "Why, am Mrs. Santa Claus,
and when the little girls are romping the
green fields in summer am dressing the
dolls that Santa Claus distributes among
them on Christmas eve."
r. K. MUNKITTRCK.