The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-12-26
COIN H0NB FER CHRIS Ills. !"
Written for the REcoRD-UNIoN-By Miss
Mary 5. Davis

There was frost in the air; at night thin
ice formed in the street and on the side
walks, but, as yet. there had been no
snow. 1t was near the middle of Deem
Der, and there was a Christmas-y air
around.
The shop-windows were gay with toys
OF all descriptions-dolls, tea-sets, minia-
ture kitchens, tops, wagons, drums, horns
enough to drive any boy or girl crazy
to get them, and very likely to drive
their parents crazy after they did get
them.
The confectioners' shops were a pretty
sight-shelves piled high with jars full of
the most tempting candies.
Even now loads of trees-firs, spruces
and cedars-were being brought to the
city, together with mistIetoe and holly
for decorations, their glistening white
and red berries forming most beautiful
contrasts with the green leaves.
Gay crowds hurried to and fro along
the streets intent on Christmas shopping,
and everywhere was the life and cheer
which marks the return of the season
of Peace on earth and good will toward
men,
But not everywhere. There were some
who had no shopping TO do, some who
wrapped their rags closer as they hurried
by in the cold wind, or paused to peer en-
viously in at the show windows, and the
rich folks spending their money so freely
for tribes; money, one-half of which
would have given the little street Arabs
much more generous meals, for the en-
tire winter, than those they usually had.
On the street corner, by Smith IL Co.'s
store, sat bootblack. Poor little fellowl
1t was hard work he had, sitting there in
the biting wind which chilled him
through and through, and none OF the
the great doors, gave thought to the
pale, ragged boy shlvering on the cor
ner.
Usually the corner at Smiths was one
Of the busiest for the trade, and more
than one of the other bootblacks envied
him his place, but to-day the crowd
seemed too busy to pay any attention to
him.
Down the street came young man,
with hands thrust deep in his pockets,
and hat pulled tightly down on his head.
'Hullo, Frank! whittier away so fast?
You look as if you had fallen heir to for
tune"
At this hail the young fellow stopped
and called, Better than that, old man;
got a vacation for the holidays. Coin
home tomorrow to spend it with the old
folks"
Lucky dog. Wish was in your
shoes. Hope you'll have good time"
sure Of it. Merry Christmas to you"
Same" as the young man walked on.
'Shine, sir?" asked the bootblack.
Guess SO. They're pretty muddy"
And the TRUSTING went on in silence
till his customer said:
W lnr
hey, Bub?"
"Fer some, not for me,' was the short
answer.
"Ain't had much work, eh? That's too
bad"
His customer was evidently in too good
humor to keep silence.
That's good job. Here's your pay"
at the same time handing him dollar.
The boys face flushed painfully as he
said:
81 can't change that much"
Cant. Then don't try to. Keep it
for a Christmas present. No. Keep it,
keep 1t, I say" And before the boy could
get his breath the young fellow was
striding down the street at great space
without giving time for objections or
thanks.
The bootblack gazed after the retreat
ing figure, then at the coin in his hand.
A whole dollar! That was as much as he
could earn any day, and the wind did
not seem to be SO cold after that.
Toward night one of his regular pat
rons came up, and as he was brushing
away the gentleman questioned, What
luck to-day, Ned?"
Pretty good, sir. A Teller gave me a
dollar an wouldn't take no change"
And that's about as much as you ever
make. How is your back? Hurt much?"
Just about the same as ever, sir.
There, they re done"
Yes, that's good. This is the last shine
you'll give me for some time. Pm going
back East tomorrow to spend Christmas
at home, so here's little present. A
merry Christmas"
''Same to you" called Ned. Then,
looking at his little present." he saw a
1ive-dollar gold piece. Well" he said.
with a gasp, Pm in luck. Wonder il
there's any more people goin' to spend
Christmas at home"
After darkness had fallen Ned gath
cred up his brushes, and, picking up a
pair of crutches, made his way through
the streets to the Home for newsboys
and bootblacks. AS he hobbled through
the streets be was thinking of his day.
experiences. sit must be awful nice to
have home togo to. Them men seemed
glad. Wisht l had one. There's only
the Quarters for me-" He was passing
through poor alley when he heard a
child's voice:
Use dom home to die no more,
To die no more, TO die no more'
He started. Homei
Just then the song ceased, and little
girl ran out of the door. "Ello, Nedr'
She called,
Hello, Maggie
"Dot any tandy for Maddie to-night?p
Come an see," he said and the little
one trotted out and went through his
pockets till she found small package.
Opening this she looked at him and said:
100 better do. DON be late"
Ned laughed and went on. Pm poin,
to buy the incest doll l can fer Maggie"
he decided. 81 can ford a nice one.5;
In all Miss Mayon's night-school class
of boys none of them interested her more
than Ned. He had joined only few
weeks before, but from the first she had
been interested in the boy with the thin.
pinched face, and the poor crooked back,
He was bright-brighter in studies than
the average street Arab, and his black
ewes watched her all through the lesson.
showing such intelligence that she was
surprised.
Though he seemed to like her Miss
Mayor could not get him to tell her any,
thing about himself except that his name
was Ned and he was Is years old
Tonight, after the lessons were over
Miss Mayor told her class that they were
to have tree in the hall Christmas Eve.
and that they must all come.
''Can we bring anybody else here?"
asked Ned.
Eyes, you may bring friend or two if
you like"
"I'll bring Maggie"
"Who is Maggie?" asked Miss Mayor.
Ned told her.
Certainly, bring her. There will be
something for her. too. guess"
YOU'RE awfully good,' said Ned as he
bid her good night.
As he lay in his bed at the Quarters,
there came into his mind again q remem-
1 80 IL, f1xvN IL.