Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-01-08

something in the tones of this hostess
which told at once !s that she s,; was glad to
Come and sit down in this chair by me!
l don't doubt you have been trotting
about all day." and Mrs. Wallis held out
a warm, affectionate hand.
mo, I've been keepin' house for Mis-
Preller, so she could go an see her
mother explained Miss Debby, quite
simply. 81 had q nice time with her
little girl that's just getting over cold
and couldn't go with the others. | was
just on my way home. | thought I'd
stop and see if there was anything |
could do for you"
Nothing, except to stay a little while
and keep me company" said Mrs. Walls.
My granddaughters are usL4-y here,
but they had q very pleasant pan made
for them, and | was very glad to have
them go. A skating party and dinner
at the. Ashtons' country house, and
dance"
Young folks will be young folks"
said Miss Debby. Il should like to hear
all about it when they come and tell.
Everybody seemed to be goin' some
where today; twas the nice clear wealth
err"
There are all my pretty presents on
they haven't been very good company;
this is the first Christmas in all my life
that | 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. Wallis hand.
''You must have had a great many
lovely things to remember" she SAID
softly. "But anybody can't help feeling
lonesome; 1 know how it's. Everybody
misses somebody the world over. There
was all of us together once at home, and
I'm a kind of sparrow on the house
tops. But I've had a beautiful day so
far. l own / was afraid you'd have a
sight of company an l should have to
miss seeing YOU.
I'm glad somebody wanted to see me-
said Mrs. Wallis, more cheerfully, land
and they went on with much pleasant
talk of both the old days and the pres
ent time, and Mrs. Wallis gave Miss
Debby a cup of tea and they had a hap
~ before the humble, loVing-hearted
guest went away, leaving peace and
goodwill once more in lonely and trou-
bled 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 everywhere she left
ant kindness. At one house she COM
forted crying child by mendmg his
Christmas top, and at another she knew
just how to help pretty girl to dress
for her Christmas party, and sat down
and took off her big wooden gloves to
alter the refractory dress, which 1t had
seemed impossible TO wear. She was
like a good angel as she sat there, sew
ing and smiling and making everybody's
mind at ease.
1t was late in the evening when this
was done, and she had had a long day;
l,,+ c1,c hr,or- md
asked to see the minister, and told him
how thankful she was for his sermon
on Sunday and wished him a happy
Christmas. The minister had been q
little discouraged for some reasons, as
ministers often are in spite of every
in the shape of welcome presents from
his friends did not cheer him half SO
much as the sincerity and affection of
Miss Debby's visit. And he watched
the little figure go down the street with
tears in his eyes. So few people could
this dear parishioner could; it was worth
living for, if one could sometimes help
and refresh those who are the true help
ers; and SO he went back to his work
in the study, feeling like a better and
buster man than when he had left it.
So Miss Debby came back to her little
home again. The fire was out and it
was all dark, but she went straight to her
small rocking chair by the window and
sat down to rest, and to thank the Lord
for such happy day. And though her
purse was empty her heart was full. and
she had left a little pleasure behind her
all along the way.
Presently she lighted her lamp, and
then she saw on the table a great pack
age and note beside it; and the note
was from Mrs. Rivers.
Something you said the other day" Miss
Debby read, made me feel differently
about Christmas from what ever have be-
fore, and / am going to try to make as
many people happy as l can. And you
must believe that my heart goes with these
presents that l send to you. They are
some of my own things that l liked, and
wanted to share with you, and / send them
with love.
Miss Debbys face shone with JOY.
She had always liked Mrs. Rivers, but
she had pitied her a little; and now the
note made her feel as if she had found
a new friend and made her happy with
out knowing it. And SO Miss Debby's
Christmas came to its happy end.