The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-12-17

~ WISH roU A HAPPY CHRISTMAS" SAID
MISS DTBBy.
day with YOU. Just through brenk-
fast? No; the little girls are eatin'
rway yet. Why, you're late."
II didn't mean 10 be-" said the young
mother; 'but felt so tired this morn
ing. and pretty sad too, thinking of
last year an all. So just let tho chill
drcn sleep. Nelly's got cold and was
coughing most all night, ard | couldn't
bear 10 get up and begin the day
Mother sent for me 20 come over 10
spend Christmas, but couldn't get the
courage TO start. She said she'd have
some little presents ready for the lit
tie girls. and now I'm most sorry 1 dis
appointed her.
That's just why I'm here" snid Miss
Debby. gnyIy, and with double her
usual decision. mo, Nelly's not fit to
go out. can see, hut you leave her here
with me, an you just get ready and
take Susy aud GO. Your mother'll think
everything of IL. and I'll see to things
here. Ironin'? Why, = will do me good.
feel a little chilly, and Nelly and [
can have grand time. Now YOU go
right off an get ready, and catch the
qllartcr-to-nine train. won't hear no
words about IT,"
So presently the pale. hard-worked
Young mother in Ter Widows bonnet
started of down ;hc street. lending
l.,.. IL, a t,n ha.
and Miss Debby and her favorite Nelly
watched them go, from the window.
The breakfast dishes were washed and
put away i'm such fashion that Nelly
thought il quite rs good aSdoll's house
keeping: and then. while Miss Debby
ironed, She sat i'm warm corner by the
stove and listened TO stories and TO
which, though sung in slightly
cracked voice, were most delightful Ia
childish ears. What Christmas morn.
ing il was. And after the small ironing
was ,lonc what pleasant things there
seemed 10 he 90 do. Miss Debby rum
mayed until she found some little
aprons cut for the children: and frs,
she basicd one for Nelly 10 sew, and
then she took the other herself, and
they sat down together and sewed until
dinner time. The aprons were pink
and added 10 the 2ayety of the occa.
sion; and they were ready at last to sur
prise Nelly's mother by being pnt
back IL their place in the same roll--all
done even 10 the buttons and button
holes, for Miss Debby found time 10 fin
ish Nelly's as well as her own. And
they had bread and milk for dinner,
and Miss Debby told stories OF when
she was little girl. Altogether there
mover was n happier Christmas day, and
the spirit OF Christmas. OF peace and
good will shonc bright in Miss Debby's
face. Her quick eye saw many chances
to lend helping hand to the poor, de
fenselcss household. When Nclly's
mother came home at night, heartened
and cheered by her visit, she found the
ironing and mcnding done; and day
or two later the pink aprons turned up
all ready TO be put on. And Nclly's
tiresome cough. which sounded like the
whooping-cough, was quite stillcd by
some good ld-fashioned dose which Miss
Debby mixed agrecably with molasses
aud put 10 simmer on the stove. There
seemed 20 be no end 20 the kind and
thoughtful things Miss Dcbby did tina,
day in neighbor's house.
she had started for home AZ dusk,
just before u was time for Young Mrs.
rrcller 20 get back, and was walking
along the street, little ;ired, but very
happy.
why, it's only half-pns, four o'clock
now." she exclaimed. rs She passed the
watchmaker's window I mean 10 go
and see Mrs. Wallis little WHILE" and
she quicEened her steps,
Presently Miss Debby Gaines came 20
a fine. largo house, very different fro'n
the one she had just left. and took pains
TO strnighteD her little black bonnet as
she Ixent mp the long highinf nfhnndSome-
stone steps. An elderly man-servani
opened the door.
II wish you a hnppy Christmas!" said
Miss Debby. "Can | see Mrs. Wallis.
do you suppose. Mr.. Johnson"
'Oh. ycs'm." said Johnson. with feel
ing. II was wishing somebody'd come
la. Miss Gaines. now It's beginning io
gct isrk. The young ladies vas herc