The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-12-21

started on down the street. leading
bright-fnced little Susy by the hnndi
and Miss Debby and her fayorlte Nelly
thought It quite as good az dolls house
keeping: and then, while Miss Debby
Irgned, she slt In n warm corner by the
stove and listened 10 stories and TO
Miss Debby's O~ld-fashloned ballads,
which, though sung In o slightly
cracked voice, were most delightful to
childish ears, What a Christmas morn
Ing II vast And after tho small ironing
was done what pleasant things there
seemed TO be to dol 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 Hewed until
dinner time. The aprons were pink
and added to the gayqty OF the oeca-
sion; and they were ready ut last to
surprise Nelly'a mother by being put
back In their places In tho same roll
all done even TO the buttons and but
tonholes, for Miss Debby found time to
finish Nelly's as well MS her own. And
they had bread and milk for dinner,
and Mas Debby told stories OF when
she was u little girl. Altogether there
never was n happier Christmas day,
and the spirit OF Christmas, OF peace
and good win shone bright In Miss Deb
by'B face, Her quick eye saw many
chances 10 lend O helping hand TO the
poor, d%efenseless household. When
Nelly's mother came home at night,
heartened and cheered by her visit, she
found, the ironing and mendlng donei
and q day or two later the pink aprons
turned up all ready TO be put on, And
Nelly's tlresOme cough, which sounded
like the whooplng cough, was quite
stllled by some good ~pld-fnshiOned dose
which Miss Debby mixed ~agreeably
with molasses and put Ia 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.
why, it's only hnlf-past four o'clock
nowl" she exclaimed, as she passed the
watchmaker'S window. u mean 70 20
and see Mrs. Wallis q little while" and
she quickened her steps.
Presently Miss Debby Gaines came TO
n fine, large house, very different from
the one she had Just left, and took palms
10 stralghten her little black bonnet as
she went up the long flight OF handsome
stone steps. An elderly man-servant
| opened the door.
~ wish you q happy Christmns!" said
Miss Debby. Can / see Mira Wallis,
do you suppose. Mr.. Johnson2"
"Oh. yes'm," said johnson, with feel
ing, II was wishing somebody'd come
in, Miss Gaines, now it's beginning TO
get dark. The young ladies were here
this morning, and brought their pres
| ents, but they'd made q promise TO 90
out into the country with some young
friends. so they aren't coming TO din.
nor. and Miss Wallis has been alone all
day, Che was pleased TO have 'em 80,
nv this time Miss Debby had crossed
| the wide hall to the library, where the
lonely old mistress OF the house usually
sat. She hesltated q moment before
she could speak.
~ wish you a happy Christmas" she
said. IT'S me. Mrs. Wallis Debby
why. Miss Debby!" and there was
something in the tone OF this hostess
which told at C that she was glad TO
see a friend. "Why, Miss Debby!
Come and sit down in'this chair by me!
| don't doubt you have been trottlnE
about all day" and Mrs. Wallis held
out n warm. uffection1te hand.
"NO, I've been keepln' house for Mis-
Prcller, so she could 20 an see her
mother" explained Miss Debby, quite
simply. IL had q nice time with her
little girl that's just getting over q cold
and couldn't 60 with the others, WINS
lust on my way home. l thought I'd
stop and see " theru was anything
could do for you"
Nothing, except 10 stay a little while
and keep me company said Mrs.
Wallis. MY granddaughter are usu-
ally here, but they had q very pleasant
plan made for them. and was very
glad TO have them 60. a skating party
and q dinner at the Ashton's country
house. and n dance" +.
Young folks viii be young folks"
said Miss Debby. II should like to hear
all about It when they come and tell.
Everybody seemed TO be goln' some
where to-day; twas the nice clear
weather"
There arc nil my pretty presents on
the table" said Mrs. Wallis. Some
how they haven't been very good com.
pany; this Is the first Christmas In all
my life that l have happened to spend
quite alone"
Miss Debby might, not have done It
without thinking, by daylight, but she
drew a little nearer and took hold OF
Mrs. Walils's hand.
you must have had q great many
lovely things TO remember" she said
softly. But anybody can't help feel
ing lonesome: I know how It's. Every
body misses somebody the world over.
There WAS all OF US together once ut
home, and I'm a kind Of sparrow on the
housetops. But I've had a beautiful
day 30 far. l own l was afraid you'd
have q sight OF company an should
have to miss seeing YOU"
.FIfr, nInd unnph01V unntOl In SEQ
me-" said Mrs. Wallis. moro cheerfully.
''nnd one Of the friends I've known
longest" and they went on with much
Pleasant talk Of both the old days and
tho present time, and Mrs. Wallis gave
| Mlss Debby n cup OF tea, and they had
n happy little feast together there In the
library before the humble, loving.
hearted guest went away, leaving peace
and goodwill once moro In q lonely aud
troubled heart.
She stopped here and there at the
houses OF other friends, forgetting In
her happiness that she was empty
handed on Christmas day, and every
where she left q new feeling OF friend
illness and pleasant kindness, At one
house she comforted d crying child by
mcnding his Christmas top, and 1t an
other she knew Just how to help q prot
Is glri TO dress for her ChriHtmaB party,
and sat down and took on her big WOOL
on gloves to alter the refractory dress,
which IL had seemed impossible TO wonr.
ehc was like n good angel aa she sat
| there. sewing and smiling and making
everybody's mind Mt ease.
II was late In the evening when this
was done, and she had had q long day;
but she stopped, with great bravery.
and asked 10 sec the minister, and told
him how thankful she wan for his SER
mon on Sunday and Wished him q hap
py Christmas. The minister had boon q
little discouraged for some reasons, ns
ministers often are In spite Of every.
thing, ana eVen ont great Nndnesses
I'm lhn nhnDn OF Mnlromn profenlh from