Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21
AN EMPTY PURSE
"A NEW ENGLAND CHRISTMAS TALE
BY SARAH 0RNE JEWETT.


Little Miss Debby Gaines was counting
three and the weather was bright and warm
for the time Of year.
I've got to step fast to carry out all my
plans" she said to herself. "It seems to
me as If 1t were going to be beautiful
Christmas; It won't be like any I've spent
lately, either. / shouldn't wonder If 1t turn
ed out for the best, my losing that money
I always call my Christmas money; any
way, I'll do the best I can to make up for
It,"
Miss Debby was sitting by the window
yewing as fast as she could, while the light
of the short winter day was going, mending
q warm old petticoat and humming Psalm
tune. Suddenly she heard a knock at the
door; she lived in two upstairs rooms. and
could not see the street.
Come inr' she said, cheerfully, and drop
ped her laDful of work.
"Why. If 1t isn't Mrs. Rivers" she said,
with much pleasure.
The guest was large woman, fashionably
dressed. You would have thought that a
very elegant blue-jay mad come to make
a late afternoon call upon such a brown
chippy- sparrow as Miss Debby Gaines. Miss
Debby felt much honored, and brought her
best rocking chair: and Mrs. Rivers seated
herself and began to rock. Her stiff silk
gown creaked as If she were ship at sea.
What are you doing-something pretty
for ChristmaS?" she asked.
1T may be for Christmas. but 1t isn't very
pretty answered Miss Debby, with a lit
tie laugh and shake of the head. Tell you
the truth / was mending up a nice warm
petticoat that l don't have much use for
I thought I'd give it to old Mrs Bean at the
poor house SHE'S a complaining, cold Ola
creatur'. an she's got poor eyeslght an
nd 7 trpht
her real comfortable. It's rather more
heavy than need to wear.
I've been down town all the afternoon,
and it's so tiresome trying to get at any
thing in the stores" said Mrs Rivers.
"Thcy push you right away from what you
want tire to look over. l like to CONSIDER
what 1 buy. It's a great burden to me try
ing to get ready for Christmas and l
thought / shouldn't do anything this year
on account of my health. I've had large
expenses this autumn. L had to nave new
cafpets and new outside garment. 10
like to see the pretty things in the stores
but they were so full of people and SO not
and disagreeable this afternoon
Miss Debby had picked up her pettlcoat
and was holding it close to the Wlndo"
while she sewed ON the button with hrm
linen stitches. A.
Il haven't been down the street for two
or three days. she said. 1oull excuse me
for goin' on with my work; it's most dark,
ard I'll be done in moment, ana we can SIT
an talk ,o
ut does me good to come and see you once
in awhile" said Mrs. Rivers. plaintlyeiy.
al thought I'd stop on my way home. Last
year you had so many making.
There aren't any at all this year. an
swered Miss Debby. bravely. 1t WASH I
convenient, so thought I'd just try having
another kind of merry Christmas.
Sometimes 1 wish had no more respon-
sbilities than you have My large mousse is
such a care Mr.. Rivers is very particular
about everything, and so am l." She gave
a great sigh and creaked louder than before,
but Miss Debby did not have the right sort
of consolation to offer. and kept silence.
yentured to say, after few moments. You
wouldn't like to do with as little as some
and Mrs. Rivers shook her head In the dusk
and went on rocking.
Presents aren't nothing unless the heart
goes with them" said Miss Debby boldly, at
last land think we can show good feelin'
in other ways than in bestowing little PIN
cushions. Anyway. I've got to find those
WAYS this year 'Tis day when we New
England folks can seem to speak right out
to each other, and that does seem good.
Scmethin' gets in the air. l expect now to
enjoy this Christmas myself, though felt
dreadful bad last week, sayin' to myself
twas the first time l couldn't make my
presents. 1 didn't know how interested l
was goin' to get; you see I've made my lit
tie plans"
Then they talked about other things, and
Mrs. Rivers grew more cheerful and at last
went away. She always found Christmas a
trouble of giving then, or, in fact. at any
other time: but she had her good points, as
Miss Debby Gaines always insisted.
II.
On Christmas morning early Miss Debby
walked up with a feeling of happy expecta-
ton, and could hardly wait to make her cup
of tea and eat her little breakfast on the
corner of the table before she got out her
best bonnet and Sunday cloak to begin her
Christmas errands. 1t was misty and dark
: but the sunlight came at last, pale and ra-
diant, into the little brown room; and Miss
Debbie's face matched 1t with quiet smile
and happy look of eagerness.
Take neither purse nor scrip" she said
to herself, as she went downstairs to the
street. There was nobody else stirring in
the house, but she knew that the poor house
would be open and its early breakfast past
by the time she could get there 1t was a
mile or so out of town. She Rugged
a large package under her shawl, and
shivered 2 little at the beginning of her
wax. There was no snow, but the heavy
hoar-frost gistened on the sidewalks and
the air was sharp.
Old Mrs. Bean was coming out of the great
kitchen, and when her friend wished her a
merry Christmas. she shook her head
There amt nobody to make 1t merry for
me-" she said
Il wish you a happy Christmas" said
Miss Detby again. I've come on purpose
to bessyour first caller an 1 am goln' 10
make you the only present 1 shall give this
year. IT'S somethin' useful Mis- Bean; a
warm petticoat I've fixed up NICE SOS you
can put it right on an feel the comfort of
It."
The old woman's face frightened. "Why,
you are real kind" she said, eagerly. TT
Is the one thing I've been wantn'. Oh,
yes. dear sakes! amt 1t beautiful warm
one? One o. the real, old fashioned quilted
kind. / always used to have 'em when I
was better off. Well. that is a PRESENT.
Now I'm goin', because I can come an
set an talk with you any day. and today
I've got Christmas work." and off Miss
Debby went to the heart of the town
again.
Christmas was on Tuesday that year,
and she opened the door of a little house,
where a tired-looklng young woman stood
by an ironing table, and looked at her
with surprise. "Why, Miss Gaines!' she
exclaimed, where are you going so
early?'
Il wish you a happy Christmas! said
Miss Dolby. I've come to spend the day
~aEIT