The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-23

| you come for u.s. Then the young lady
babe them goodbye and went away.
{, Darkness comes soon In December.
When the lamps were lit the stand looked
bright and cheerful. 1t was getting late.
/, when miserably dressed woman. leading
| by the hand a poor, thin little boy, stop
! ped and gazed wistfully at the toys.
Mama, oh buy me some pretty toysr'
| cried the boy.
| Ssh; not tonight. darling, but--but you
may look at them" said tho woman,
| warming her hands at the fire.
Nina felt sorry for her. and said:
'Wiil you have n cup of hot coffeef
am going to close soon. and there will be
some left Please take it, or 1t will be
wasted"
The woman drank eagerly. Then Dot
gave the little boy tiny Noah's ark and
some coffee and crackers.
That's for your Christmas" she said.
The womans eyes frightened. and she
cried:
'You are good little children; blessed
is the mother that owns you"
I'VE are orphans" said Nina. sadly:
and mama always taught us to be- kind
to Others
you had better close now. little girls"
said Mr.. Robbins. coming to his door
and open again tomorrow morning for
a few hours"
Inc woman Said. u THINK you, ana
wish you both a merry Christmas" then
hurried away; but the little boy called
back Merry Christina till they were
out OF sight. The little girls drank each
cup Of coffee. put away their goods and
ran home to their shed as fast a. they
could go.
Dot hung up her stocking. then went to
bed ana was soon asleep; but Nina stayed
up till she filled Dots stocking, and made
some pretty things for presents; then she
said her prayers, went to bed and slept
till morning
The two girls were up with the lark
and called Merry Christmas" to each
other, end laughed at the footing Of the
horns on the street.
Dot emptied her stocking in great ex-
citement.
"oh you dear good Minar' she cried.
kissing her sister lovingly: and Nina
found pretty present under her plate
from Dot
"oh, you dear little Dotr said Nina,
and kissed her.
Il want to take the babies some toys
tonight when we 20. I'm partner in our
store. amt To- asked Dot.
Yes, dear. it's Langford Sisters, Mer-
chants said Nina; and they laughed.
The stall was we'll patronized In the
Ing to close his store. he advised them
to put UP their stall and 90 home
They gave him a pretty shaving hall
that they had made for him out OF tissue
paper. and he gave them a box Of cam
dies. nuts and other dainties: then they
wished each other Merry Christmas
and all went home with lighter hearts for
being remembered.
Nov, dear" said Nina. I'VE must nut
our homo in the best Of order, for the
young lady will be here tomorrow. ana.
oh dear. what will she think OF there be-
Ing no furniture?'
Wen make bunch OF paper flowers
and put them in this BOTTLE" said Dot.
They fashioned some pretty roses r1ade
Deiieve the bottle was q vase, ana put
It on one Of the towei-covered boxes.
fhere-that looks NIGEL" cried Dot.
Now I'll put all tho pretty things you
gave me on the other box. and we'll
do you forget what promised You,
potY' asked Nina Turkey ana plum
pudding! So put on your hat and or
we go for merry Christnasr'
orr cried Dot. and was quickly
ready. They found pleasant restaurant
on ahe great street. where plenty OF ladies'
eat who live In furnished rooms and work
In offices and stores.
Turkey and plum pudding for two,
ordered Nina. and the waiter smiled.
But he brought them also nicely Drowned
potatoes and bread and butter, and hot
punches OF celery on the tables, and the
walls swere decorated with wreaths and
red berrfes--and It was Christmasl
4 wish dear mama was here" vhis-
pered Dot.
She Is with us In spirit little sister.
ana she knows" answered Nina
And is glad that we have a nice din
ner and are not crying7.
Yes, little sister: she loves US, ana
is glad that we are happy
I'm so giadr' signed Dot, and contin-
ued her dinner with even more satisfac-
ton
When they paid their checks nj tbe
counter the proprietor wished them "a
merry Chrlstmas' and gave them n
handsome picture card. with the bin OF
fare printed on the back
o-h' exclaimed Dot in admiration.
and they both thanked him. Then they
took walk. but II was almost like SIM.
day. The stores were all closed. ana
even the little street boys had sold All
their tumbiers and walking birds. ana
Marys and johns. SO the girls soon went
home.
They tried to brighten the place by min
ming up the gay pictures. Dot sat and
admired the extra splendor. while Nina