The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-18
TATTERs' CHRISTMAS GIFT.
the HRpPiest Holiday Surprise.
BY Charles J. Noyes.


With their brazen tongues the city
eteepIes had just been counting 8 Every
CLEAN Of twilight had long since faded
out The young moon hung like a sllvery
crescent ia the east. Above, IN the dark
arohway overhead, the bright stars gleam-
ed like diamond dust. The night was clear
and calm. no breeze to disturb its solemn
quiet; cold and invigoratug. healthful and
inspiring
Long ago the great warehouses had
closed their heavy eyelids. like huge
giants. weary with the burden of trade
the vast wholesale establishments, too,
had shut their lofty doors and prepared
for their holiday slumber; only the re-
tail and lesser marts catered for the eX-
piring traffic.
Boston's great Bon Marche stll beheld
a ceaseless ebb and flow Of heated Gus
toners, who surged in and out beneath
the luminous face OF its warning clock
and along jas crowded corridors. And
Yet. even here. amid the dust and din
OF trade, The tired sa,esmen began their
preparations for closing, some We're lin
gering at the cashiers desk, others put
ting on their garments in the act OF go
Ing. Here was q commercial world in
miniature, from the proprietor leisurely
leaning against the railing in CONVERSE
tion with visitor down through the vari-
Gus departments TO the tiny cash girl
Immediately IN front OF the cash w.n-
low Of the office. tho center Of an inter
ested group. stood a slight figure in gar
meEt pieced and meuded so that il might
almost serve as a cloak OF many colorS
save thas 1t was neatly and tsstefuuy
done She was a child of Is or Il. with
pale, sad face. but an intelligent and
winning one, bright eyes that held q depth
OF expression in them, and a wealth o.
golden hair that clustered cerelessly about
a high, full forehead There was a glow
OF good nature I'm her look that wss not T.
be misunderstood; and Though care had
traced lines In her young face they too
seemed but lines OF a certain beauty. and
in her voice were tones that were sweet
and musical
As she approached the desk the cash
Ter looked up and smiled In al TIE haste
Of closing hours. SIC was a da-k-seature1
woman in middle life. with many traces
OF silver in her hair. but Kindness shown
IN every hnesment. Her very look and
mind bespoke culture and refinement
well. Talters,' said she. what will
you havee"
please, Miss Whipple." was the low
reply, 4 would like you 10 let me have
small bills for the ten you gave me. Please
q
Then, dropping her voice still lower she
added in a half whisper. Il want 10 give
papa the i've for debt that has troubled
him a long time. I want two for a pair
OF shoes for little Robby, two for a pres
ent for mama, and l must get something
for baby. Tomorrow Is Christmas, ycu
know"
Miss Whipple looked at the bright lit
tie face a moment without replying and
- l. - .
have seen something glisten an instant
in her eye.
Il believe that's A. she said after a
time, "But Tatters, where do you come
in. pray?"
20. I'll come in all right" replied the
child quickly. Never mind about me
I'll do well enough"
More than one pair of eyes followed the
retreaung figure as it disappeared In the
direction of the dressing room, and other
ears than those of the cashier had taken
in the childs story.
''Tatters is a strange girl" spoke one
of the group, who had been at the desk.
Il have never been able TO comprehend
her at all"
That she is" replied a second; "she
cares nothing apparently for dress, never
thinks of herself, and yet she is always
neat and tidy like. She must have good
mother"
''She has, indeed" broke in a third, land
a Woodworking woman she Is. too. Her
husband is lame and can earn but little,
and with little Robby, as she calls him
and a baby, she cannot do very mucn.
They have 10 depend on Tatters a great
deal, as I know
But" responded the first speaker "who
would have mistrusted such fy-away as
Tatters of so thoughtful a head?" cor
sol haa ART cd ffe1 .,reI
Il have long thought her capable OF
both" said the cashier. Il tell you, that
girl viii make a noble woman yet"
Not If she stays in this business al
her life." said the others almost in uni
son.
Il don't know why" replied the cash
Ter, rather warmly. Il have never yet
felt belittled by my work. and believe a
shopgirl can be just as good, as noble
and self-respeeting as any one"
Now, don't preach, Ket," said the one
who had first spoken, laughing. IT'S toc
near Christmas for that argument
want 10 get out and do some shopping
myselfr'
''oh, I don't intend any sermons" was
the reply. Il have something else to dc
myself. But. girls. / do wish Tatters
might have a Christmas present. after
spending all her earnings for the others
Why can't We fix it to surprise her il
some way"
loving word starts many a good deed
and this kind suggestion was not more
than moment in being crystalized into q
movement to give Tatters a Christina.
present. II was TOO late to decide on Z
present, and then it was 50 difficult K
guess what would please her Nothins
could prove more acceptable than money
she could then buy with it what sin,
wanted NEST. Although impetuous and in
dependent, Tatters was a general favorit.
among the statesmen she had 70 serve. S,
these were applied 10 and when the hou
OF closing came Miss Whipple had re
ceived contributions amounting to just SlC
which she was 70 carry 10 Tatiers Christ
mas morning.
IL
On receipt of her money from the cash
Ter, Tatters quickly drew on her outsld
garment and hood, and went forth 10 o.
her shopping. she was rather thinly cia,
for such a season and such an hour bu
she took no heed Of the cold she wa