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

I.
Little Miss Debby Gaines was count
ing the days to Christmas; there We're
only 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. 1T
seems to me as II 1t were going to be
a beautiful Christmas: 1t won't be like
any I've spent lately. either. shouldn't
wonder IL it turned out for the best, my
losing that money always call my
Christmas money: anyway I'll do the
best can to make up for it,
Miss Debby was sitting by the win
dow sewing as fast as she could, while
the light of the short winter day was
going, mending a warm old petticoat
and humming Psalmtune. Suddenly
she heard a knock at the door; she
lived In two upstairs rooms, and could
not see the street.
Come in" she said, cheerfully, and
dropped her lapful of work.
why. II 1t isn't Mrs. Rivers!' she
said, with much pleasure.
The guest was q large woman. fash
ionably dressed You would have
thought that n very elegant blue-jay
had come to make a late afternoon
call upon such a brown. chippy-spar-
row as Miss Debby Gaines. Miss Deb
by felt much honored. and brought her
best rock;ng-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 it isn't
very pretty" answered Miss Debby,
with a little laugh and shake of the
head. Tell you the truth. was mend.
ing up nice warm petticoat that I
don't have much use for: thought I'd
give 1t to old Mrs. Bean. at the poor
house. She's complaining, cold. old
creatur', an she's got poor eyesight an
CAM sew. and l thought this would
mal:, her real comfortable It's rather
Mcre heavy than need to wear"
I've been downtown all the after
noon. and it's so tiresome trying to get
at anything in the stores" said Mrs.
Rivers. They push you right away
from what you want time to look over.
] like to consider what I buy. It's a
great burden to me trying to get ready
for Christmas. and l thought I
shouldn't do anything this year on ac-
count OF my health. I've had large ex-
penses this autumn. had to have new
carpets and a new outside garment I
do like to see the pretty things in the
stores, but they were so full Of people
and so hot and dsagreeable this after
.nOon."
Misc nahhr, hoI
coat and was holding 1t close to the
window while she sewed on the button
with firm linen stitches.
Il haven't been down the street for
two or three days." she said. you'll
excuse me for goin' on with my work;
its most dark, and I'll be done in mo-
ment. and we can sit an talk
ut does me good to come and see you
once in awhile" said Mrs. Rivers,
plaintively. II thought I'd stop on my
way home. Last year you had so many
making"
There aren't any at all this year."
answered Miss Debby, bravely. 1T
wasn't convenient. so thought I'd just
try having another kind Of q merry
Christmas"
sometimes wish had no more re.
sponsibilities than you have. My large
house Is such care. Mr.. Rivers Is very
particular about everything, and SO am
l." She gave great sigh and creaked
louder than before, but Miss Dbby did
not have the right sort of consolation
to offer, and kept silence. "You enjoy
having your pretty house." she ventured
to say after a few moments, you
ly,,H iIxA a. l<, ~,,tAl
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, "and I thinkk we can
show good feelin' in other ways than in
bestowing little pincushions. Anyway.
I've got to find those ways this year.
IT'S day when we New England folks
can seem to speak right out to each
other. and that does seem good. Some
thin gets in the air. I expect now to
enjoy this Christmas myself, though I
felt dreadful bad last week, sayin' to
myself twas the first time I 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 Mrs. Rivers grew more cheerful
and at last went away. She always
found Christmas a melancholy season.
She did not like the 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 expectation, 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 radiant, into the little brown
room; and Miss Debbies face matched
It with q quiet smile and happy look Of
eagerness.
Take neither purse nor scrop," she
eaid to herself, as she went downstairs
to the street. There was nobody else
stirring In the house, but she knew
that the poorhouse 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 hugged a large pack
age under her shawl, and shivered a.
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