The evening bulletin., 1894-12-22
A CHRISTMAS CAROL.
BY LEETA sMYTH.

copyright, 1894, by American Press Associa-
tion.
From a window of a crowded apartment
house situated in the business district of a
great city a woman with a pale, wistful
face was looking down into the street be-
low.
In spite of her shabby black dress, there
was an aristocratic air about the tall fig
ure which impressed one that she was
lady born, and in the face now worn with
years of sorrow could be detected traces OF
what must once have been a radiant
beauty
1t was Christmas eve, and the street was
filled with persons hurrying to their va
rious homes after the last day of holiday
shopping Heavily laden express carts
were rattling noisily over the cobble-
stones, and groups Of small urchns were
adding to the festive din by footing Justify
on their ear splitting Christmas horns.
But the pale woman at the window
neither saw nor heard all this confusion.
Her thoughts were in the faraway past,
when Christmas eve in the luxurious home
of her childhood used to be the gladdest
time of all the year. But now she glanced
hastily around the small bare room and
shaddered to think of the terrible change.
If only she could have bought few tri-
fling gifts for the childrenl But she had
not been able to spare penny from her
small earnings, and this year dear, faith
full Tony must go unrewarded and 6-year-
old Kathie's strong confidence in Santa
Claus be shaken forever
Just then the door was pushed open,
and her sad reverie was interrupted by the
entrance of two children, tiny girl with
a mass of golden hair framing a very ex-
cited little face and dark eyed boy about
years her senior.
Mamma, mamma" the fairy cried,
rushing to her mother and throwing both
arms about her neck, TONY and me have
be-yu-ti-ful plan, just be-yu-ti-ful Tony
read about it in book, and we want to
do ito sing carols tonight under peo-
ple's windows"
The mother drew quick breath.
'And then when they open the door to
find us we'll run away, just like the chill
dren in the story"
All, then her children had not yet thought
of begging at strange DOORS and they
wanted to follow out the beautiful old
English custom simply for the fun and
novelty
And, mother" Tony was saying in
his grave way, perhaps they'll think it's
an angel when Kathie sings, she can
make her voice so soft"
The mother smiled. Her little daugh
ters truly wonderful voice was q great
delight to her, and she hoped some day to
have 1t carefully trained.
Yes, she would give her consent to the
frolic, and all through the scanty evening
meal the children chatted like veritable
magpies. Then, clad in their plain, warm
wraps, they set out after bidding their
mother merry goodby.
Hand in hand they hurried through the
crowded streets; past the rows of brilliant
ly lighted shops, gay with holly and ever
greens, not making a stop until they
reached a wide avenue, where the shops
gave way to handsome private houses.
Now, Kathie, Tony whispered by way
of signal, "'While Shepherds Watched
Their Flocks'" And a moment later the
childish voices were ringing ON the frosty
air in clear, sweet treble Before they
could run away, as the story had said was
the proper thing to be done, group of
children appeared at one of the richly cur
tained windows, and catching sight of the
little singers out in the snow beckoned to
them to come in. Tony shook his head
and called out gayly that they were Christ
mas children and didn't mind the cold.
Then, clasping hands more tightly, they
ran on
House after house was reused by the
clear little voices, and coins were offered,
but Tony always refused the money, say
ing that they were Christmas children,
and that seemed to explain their situation
perfectly, for no one pressed them further.
Let's don't sing any more after this
one" Kathie said as they paused before
large, imposing house of somber brown.
stone, cause I'm very tired. T"
"All right, Kit, SO brace up for the last
N1E4.-a.zszc~~z