Birmingham age-herald., 1894-12-22
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A CHRISTMAS CAROL.
BY LEETA SMITH.

Copyright 1864, by American Press Associa-
 tion.
 From window of crowded apartment house situated in the business district of a great city a woman with 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 shc 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.
 It was Christmas eve, and the street was filled with persons hurrylng 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 urchins were adding to the festive din by footing lustily on their car splitting Christmas horns
 But tho 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 chi 1hood used to be the gladdest time of all the year. But now she glanced hastily around the small bare room and shuddered 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 ful 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 roverie was interrupted by the entrance of two ohildren tiny girl with a mass of golden hair framing very ex- ritad litt1a faca and n dark evpd bov ahOut 9 years her senior.
 Mamma, mamma" the fairy cried, rushing to her mother and throwing both arms about her neck, Tony aud me have be-yu-ti-ful plan, just be-y -yu-ti-full Tony read about it in book, and we want to do tito sing carols tonight under peo- ple's windows" ,"
 The mother drew a quick breath.
 And then when they open the door to find us we'll run away, just like the chil- dren in the story"
 An, 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 noveltyl
 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- ter's truly wonderful voice was great delight to her, and she hoped some day to have it carefully trained.
 Yes, she would givo her consent to the frclic, and all through the scanty evening meal the children c1atted like veritable magpies. Th'n, clad in their plain, warm wraps, they set out after bidding their mother Q 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 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 tho childish voices were ringing on tho 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 ono of the richly cur taincd windows, and catching sight of tha little singers out in the snow beckoned to them to come in. Tony shook his head