The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 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 sang
songs and kept time with her needle, that
flashed in the light IS she piled it TO and
fro. When she had finished about the
fftieth doll in the basket, she exclaimed:
at is now August and am so far in
arrears with this work that l cannot
take the time to go to dinner. There
| fore, bring me a 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 a 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 ard 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-
verted into dolls dresses.
Then she paused long enough to examine
the goods contained in the package, and
she smiled as only woman can smile
while examining silks and satins, or even
| bingham.
"Of course I am the leader of the fash
ions in dolls clothing" she soliloquized
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 l have nothing
else to do and that nothing can interfere
with its progress"
Just then it began to rain.
"Susie!" 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 silkr' re-
piled the little girl.
"Are you sure that Spain and Wisconsin,
next the door, are protected"
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 in
the same condition, with the exception Of
Callicoon and Painted Post. Come, hurry
with the pot of green tea, for must catch
up il have TO work all nightp
Often she will arise at 4 in the morning
and go at her work and keep it up some
times until after midnight. One day
little waif came to ask for something TO
cat, 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 hands
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
II do nothing but dress dolls all day"
said the old lady pleasantly.
You must have very large family"
remarked the girl innocently.
I'm one sense 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"
'Ha never called at mine yet" muir
INJURED the wall.
We'll" explained the old lady, working
harder than ever, and surprising the child
with the swiftness OF her fnEzzs, when
Santa Clans doesn't call at every house IL
is because he hasn't enough 70 60 around"
rs that the reason" asked the vR!f-
THAT il the reason" replied the old
lady, and / am doing ny best To see
that Santa Claus has dolls enough to 90
around"
do you know Santa Claus'" 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 ia summer an dressing the
dolls that Santa Claus distributes among
them on Christmas eve
r. h MCSEITTRTcK