The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-12-21
AN EMPTY PURSE,
NEW ENGLAND CHRISTMAS TALE.
Nv SARAH oRNE JEwEFT,
Copyright, is9il

ing the days to Christmas there were
only three, and the weather was bright
Gnd warm forthe time OF year.
1--WE got to step fast to carry out all
my plans" she said to herself, ut
seems TO me as II II were going to BIO
u beautiful Christmas; II won't be like
any I've spent lately, either, l
shouldn't wonder II II turned out for
the best, my losing that money | al
ways call my Christmas money; any
way III do the best M to make up
for IT,"
Miss Dsbby was sitting by the vim
dow sewing a. fast us she could, while
the light OF the short winter day was
going, mendlng n warm old pettlcoat
and hummlng q Psalmtune. Suddenly
abe heard q knock at the door; she
lived In two upstairs rooms, and could
not see the street,
Come lnl' she said, c%heerfully, and
dropped her lnpful OF work.
why, II It Isn't Mrs, Rivcrs!" she
said. with much pleasure,
The guest was a large woman, fash
ionably dressed. You would have
thought that a very elegant blue-tay
had come to make o late afternoon
call upon such q brown chippy-spar-
row as Miss Debby Gaines. Miss Deb
by felt much honOred, and brought her
best rocking-chair; and Mrs. Rivers
seated herself and began 10 rock, Her
stin silk gown creaked as II she were
q ship ut sea,
what are you doing-somgthing
pretty for Chrlstmas?" she asked,
'lt may be for Christmas, but II isn't
very pretty" answered Miss Debby,
with q little laugh and shake OF the
head. ''Tell you the truth, ! was mend
ing up q nice warm pettlcoat that
don't have much use for: l thought
IA give II to old Mrs. Bean, at the poor.
house. She's n complaining, cold. old
creatur', on she's got poor eyesight
an can't sew, and ! thought this would
make her rebl comfortable. It's rather
more heavy than ! need to wear"
'I've been downtown all the after
noon, and it's 30 tlresome trying TO
get at anything IN the stores sac
Mrs. Rivers. They push you right
away from what you want time 20 look
over. like to consider what l buy. it,
a grrat burden TO me tryingtoget ready
for Christmas, and l thought /
shouldn't do anything this year on &C.
count OF my health. had large
expenses this autumn. Il had to have
now carpets and q new outside gar
ment. lido like to see the pretty things
In the stores, but they were so full OF
people and so hot and disagreeable this
afternoon"
Miss pebby had picked up her petit
coat and was holding II close to the
window while she sewed on the button
with firm linen stitches.
II haven't been down the street for
two or three days" she said. You'll
excuse me for goin' oil with my work;
It's most dark, and I'll be done ina mo-
ment, and we ear sit an talk"
at does me good to come and see you
once In awhile" said Mrs. Rivers, plain
lively. II thought I'd stop on my way
home. Last yenr you had 80 many
merry markings"
answered Miss Dcbby, bravely. 1T
wasn't convenient. so l thought I'd Just
try having another kind OF n merry
Christmaa."
"Sometlmes I wish ! had no more re-
s~ponsibilitics than you have. My large
house Is such n care Mr.. Rivers IN very
particular about everything. and 70 Am
IL She gave q great sigh and crcaked
louder than before, but Miss Dcbby did
not have the right sort Of consolation
TO offer, and kept silence. You enjoy
having your pretty house." she ventur-
cd TO say after q few moments, you
wouldn't like to do with as little rs
some and Mrs. Rivers shook her
head In the dusk and went on rocking.
Presents aren't nothing unlcas the
heart goes with them" said Miss Debby
boldly. at Inst. ''and ! think we can
show good feeling mother ways than In
bestowlng little pincushions. Anyway
I've got TO find those ways this yenr,
IT'S a day when We New England folks
can seem to speak right out 10 each
other. and that does Beem good, Some
thin gets In tho air. ] expect nov 10
enjoy this Christmas myself. though !
felt dreadful bad last week. sayin' TO
myself twas the first time ! couldn't
make my presents. I didn't know how
interested I was goin' TO get: YOU see
I've made my little plans"
Then they talked about other things,
and Mira Rivers grew more cheerful
and nt last went away. She always
found Christmas n melancholy season.
She did not like the trouble OF giving
then. OF. in fact, at any other time; but
she had her good points, as Miss Debby
Gaines always insisted.