The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-21

the day with you. Just through break
fast? No; the little girls are eat
in away yet. Why you're late!"
II didn't mean to 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 the chill
dren sleep. Nelly's got cold and was
coughing most all night. and couldn't
bear to get up and begin the day.
Mothe" sent for me to come over to
spend Christmas, but l 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 dis
appointed her."
"Tha.s just why I'm here" said Miss
Debby, gayly. and with double her
usual decision. mo, Nelly's not fit to
go out, can see, but you leave her here
with me, an you just get ready and
take Susy and go. Your motherll think
everything of it, and I'll see to things
here. Ironin'? Why. t will do me good.
l feel little chilly, and Nelly and
can have a grand time. Now you go
right off an get ready, and catch the
quarter-to-n nine train. l won't hear no
words about it,"
So presently the pale. hard-worked
young mother in her widows bonnet
started off down the street, leading
bright-faced little Susy by the hand;
and Miss Debby and her favorite Nelly
watched them go, from the window.
The breakfast dishes were washed and
put away in such fashion that Nelly
thought it quite as good as dolls house,
keeping; and then, while Miss Debby
ironed, she sat in a warm corner by the
stove and listened to stories and to
Miss Debby's oldfashioned ballads,
which, though sung in a slightly
cracked voice, were most delightful to
childish ears. What Christmas morn
ing it was! And after the small ironing
was done what pleasant things there
seemed to be to do! Miss Debby rum
mayed until she found some little
aprons cut for the children and first
she basted one for Nelly to sew, and
then she took the other herself. and
they sat down together and sewed until
dinner time. The aprons were, pink
and added to the gayety of the occa-
sion; and they were ready at last to sur
prise Nelly's mother by being put back
in their place in the same roll-all
done even to the buottons and button
holes. for Miss Debby found time to 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 q little girl. Altogether there
never was happier Christmas day, and
the spirit of Christmas, Of peace and
good will shone bright in Miss Debby's
face. Her quick eye saw many chances
to lend a helping hand to the poor, de-
fenseless household. When Nelly's
mother came home at night, heartened
and cheered by her visit. she found the
ironing and mending done; and q day
or two later the pink aprons turned up
all ready to be put on. And Nelly's
tiresome cough. which sounded like the
whooping-cough, was quite stilled by
some good old-fashioned dose which
Miss Debby mixed agreeably with mo-
lasses and put to simmer on the stove.
There seemed to be no end to the kind
and thoughtful things Miss Debby did
that day in a neighbor's house.
She had started for home at dusk.
Just before 1t was time for young Mrs.
Preller to get back. and was walking
along the street, q little tired, but very
happy
why, it's only half past four o'clock
now!" she exclaimed. as she passed the
watchmaker's window. 'I mean to 20
and see Mrs. Wallis little WHILE" and
she quickened her steps.
Presently Miss Debby Gaines came to
q fine. large house. very different from
the one she had just left, and took pains
to straighten her little black bonnet as
she went up the long flight of handsome
stone steps. An elderly man-servant
opened the door.
Il wish you a happy Christmas!" said
Miss Debby. Can see Mrs. Willis.
do you suppose. Mr.. Johnson" .,
"Oh. yes'm." said johnson. with, feel
ing. II was wishing somebodyd come
In. Miss Gaines. now it's beginning to
get dark. Tho young ladies was here
this morning. (and brought their pres
ents, but they'd made a promise to go
out into the country with some young