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

Debbys face matched it with quiet
smile and happy look of eagerness.
Take neither purse nor scrip she
said to herself. as she went downstairs
| to the street. There was nobody else
stirring in the house. but she knew that
early breakfast past by the time she
could get there. 1t was mile or SO out
| of town. She Rugged a large package
| under her shawl. and shivered little
ut the beginning of her walk. There
was no snow. but the heavy hoar-frost
glistened on the sidewalks, and the air
was sharp.
Old Mrs. Bean was coming out of the
great kitchen, and when her friend
wished her a merry Christmas, she shook
her head.
"There amt nobody to make it merry
for me-" she said.
Il wish you a happy Christmas" said
Miss Debby again I've come on pur-
pose to be your first caller, an am go
in to make you the only present shall
Mis- Bean warm petticoat I've fixed
up nice, SOS you can put it right on an
feel the comfort of it."
The old woman's face frightened.
why, You are real kind" she said,
eagerly. 1T is the one thing I've been
| beautiful warm one! one O the real, old
fashioned quilted kind. [ always used
| to have 'em when was better of. Well,
| that is q present.!
Now I'm goin'. because [ can come
an set an talk with you any day, and
| today I've got Christmas work." and off
Miss Debby went to the heart of the
| town again.
Christmas was on Tuesday that year,
| and she opened the door Of 4 little house,
where a tired-looking young woman stood
| by an ironing-tabe, and looked at her
| with surprise, "Why, Miss Gainesw
| she exclaimed "where are you going so
| early?' >, :,
Miss Debby. I've come to spend the
day with you Just through breakfast!
! No; the little girls are eatin' away yet
Why, you're lateT'
81 didn't mean to be- said the young
mother; "but l felt SO tired this morn
year an all. So just let the children
sleep. Nelly's got cold and was cough
ing most all night. and I couldn't bear
to get up and begin the day Mother
sent for me to come over and spend
Christmas, but l couldn't get the courage
presents ready for the little girl, and
now I'm most sorry l disappointed her"
'That'S just why I am 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
|
Susy and go. Your motherll think
! everything of it, and I'll see to things
here. Ironing? Why, twill do me good.
[ feel a little chilly, and Nelly and can
| have a grand time. Now you so right
/ off an get ready, and catch the quarter
| tO-9 train. | won't hear 10 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
| 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 old-fashioned ballads, which,
though sung in a slightly cracked voice,
were most delightful to childish ears.
What a Christmas morning it was! And
after the small ironing was done what
pleasant things there seemed to be to
| do! Miss Debby rummaged 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 occasion; and they were ready at
last to surprise Nelly's mother by being
put back in their place in the same roll
all done even to the buttons and button
holes for Miss Debby found time to
finish Nelly's as we'll as her own. And
they had bread and milk for dinner,
and Miss Oebby told stories of when
she was little girl. Altogether there
never was a 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 moth
er came home at night, heartened and
cheered by her visit, she found the iron
ing and mending done; and d 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 molasses 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 it was time for young Mrs
Preller to get back. and was walking
| along the street, a little tired, but very
| happy.
'Why, it's only half-past O'Clock
now!' she exclaimed, as she passed the
Watchmaker's window. 81 mean TO go
| and see Mrs. Wallis a little WHILE" and
! she Quickened her steps,
Presently Miss Debby Gaines came to
| q fine large lOuSp very diffnront from