Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-29
ON CHRISTMAS EVE.
Gracious Act of Clerk in Big


clerk in one Of the big stores Of the city
did gracious thing Monday evening. 1t
was just as dusk was closing down. The
streets were crowded: the big department
store was packed. 1t had been a hard day
on all. and the poor little woman behind the
ribbon counter was tired. disheveled and al
most cross She had smiled all day and
been courteous to many who did not know
the meaning Of the word, and her patience
had just been sorely tried by the giggling
young women who could not decide between
blush rose and shrimp pink bebe ribbon
with which to tie up some books for che"
who seemed to the puzzled little clerk to be
a good deal Of snob, If the half conf
dences Of the pompadoured girls counted
for fact. Shrimp pink" won the day, and
the clerk was measuring off ten yards Of
the stuff 1t was suddenly jerked from her
hands and her work went for nought.
"Oh, you little impr' shrieked one of the
young women. while the other ierked the
ribbon from pair OF small soiled hands
just as the clerk peered wonderingly over
the rainbow pile Of ribbons before her into
a pair of frightened eyes.
please, miss said a pleading. childish
voice, Il dldn' mean to do nothin'. I only
wants a cents worth Of that" and opening
displayed a dingy. old-fashioned copper
cent.
THE idear' sneered the two young
women.
why. cents worth would only be'-the
clerk began. and then broke off to ask
kindly What did you want 1t for. dear?"
please, miss our babys dad," said the
child. simply. tears brimming In her big
eyes. "A man to the market give me a
flower an l found some of them green
leaves and red buds on EN-. an I want to
tie EN- together to put in the baby's hand.
VIII a cent git enough?" she questioned,
,;tl, hraa 1< in har unin
Eyes. you poor little chick" said the
clerk. the tiredness all gone. Just wait a
minute" She handed out two parcels. gave
the prices Of three kinds of ribbon to as
many customers. and then took down
bolt Of white satin ribbon. "Wouldn't this
be prettier than the other?' she asked the
child.
"My yesr was the quick reply. "But
amt got but ce-t," she insisted.
THAT'S all right" was the gentle reply.
as the clerk cut off yard. Now. If you'll
let me have the flowers I'll tie them for
you" From an old newspaper under her
and two straggly bits Of holly. Quick as
fash the clerk unpnned from her dress two
long-stemmed roses. and putting them with
the others, tied a dainty bow Of the ribbon.
You're a chump.' said one of the other
ribbon clerks. she saw the roses trans
ferred to the pirifuI little bouquet. ''What'n
your Charley say when he comes after you
toright. and them roses are gone?'
He wouldn't be my Charley II he had
selfish heart" returned the little clerk.
proudly. There. dear" holding the pretty
flowers over the child could see them.
''now give me the paper and I'll pin them
up for you"
The happy eyes brimmed over as the
eager hands took the precious package.
ooh. miss. the bal by was SO pretty. an mall
be SO glad. Thank you. miss" and the cent
was laid on the counter. while the child
rushed away. The clerk looked at the penny
thoughtfully, and then from her thin little
purse took quarter. while the penny went
to take its lonesome place beside the one
car ticket.
Il yd ribbon o. was on the slip that went
rafting up to the cashiers desk, and on the
little clerks face was a look that ought to
have made Charley prouder of her than
ever.