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

attractive that the grocery man smiled
approval.
The children had put on some extra
fnery and as they were both very pretty,
they soon attracted attention. First one
buyer stopped then another. and as their
pretty things were cheap, before night the
table was nearly empty. Dot was happy.
yet dismayed.
What shall we have to sell tomorrow.
M.na?" she anxiously asked There's
nothing left-almost."
But Mr.. Robbins came to their aid.
Make what you can tonight and early
tomorrow" he kindly advised. Don't
open too soon. Buy few toys-and how
would you like to have some things out
of my store, some pretty papers of choco-
late, and little boxes of raisins and figs?
I'll pay you commission"
And candy added Dot. So they went
home and had hurried tea, but did not
forget their warm bricks
"Well take them tomorrow" said Dot.
II was awful cold today
They remained up late, and made a
number of the most snowy things; then
they went to bed. not forgetting to say
a grateful prayer for all the good that
had come to them.
The next morning they got up early.
and were as busy az bees. With the
aid of card from Mr.. Robbins they
bought few cheap toys from big store
on the great street--monkeys on sticks,
Noah's arks and >pert little dolls Dot
was delighted
Now, this is something like Christ
mas!'' she exclaimed. as they arranged
the stall.
Mr.. Robbins furnished them with some
fancy groceries from his store, so that
their stand looked even more business
like than before.
Buyers were plentiful They seemed to
want to help two such sweet little girls.
especially as they sold things cheaper
than in the stores. and one did not have
to wait long to be served.
Nina and Dot ate their lunch in the
grocery store. one at a time, leaving the
other to attend to business. They were
pretty tired when night came.
The next morning they had to renew
their stock; so they bought, besides the
cheap toys, some better ones, and few
fancy articles that would do for presents
for grown people. 1t began to blow hard
toward night, whereupon Mr.. Robbins
put up piece of awning to shelter them.
only two days to Christmas! Nina,
shall we have a turkey and plumpudding.
like we had when papa was here. and
shall we hang up our stockingsT" asked
Dot in a pause between customers
''Yes you shall have turkey and plum
pudding. and Santa Claus win fill your
stocking, for you have been q good brave
little GIRL said Nina.
'Oh, haven't been brave! didn't save
anybody from drowning' cried Dot.
Nina smiled. How could she explain
to the little one the bravery Of doing
the best you can when misfortune comes
and keeping beautiful faith In the good
ness of the Divine Father2
How much IL this dancing doll, little
grip asked sweet-looking young lady
who stopped at the stall.
twenty-five cents" answered Nina.
Have you any more? want several"
said the young lady.
Il can make some tonight when We 60
home" replied Nina
What. do you make them? They are
so pretty! You are a clever little GIRL
and the young lady patted her shoulder.
MY sister Dot helps me-this is Dot"
and Dot nodded her head and smiled. and
the young lady shook her hand and said:
Miss Dot" Then they all laughed. What
work does YOUR father do. Miss Dot?'
asked the young lady.
'Our father Is dead answered Nina.
Poor little girls! and your motherf"
'Deadi' said Dot and burst out cry
ing.
And your friends send you out in the
cold to work."
'oh. mo-" answered Nina. quickly I'VE
do 1t of our own accord. We have no
kin nor friends. We do It to live"
'And where do you liver"
'Ohi Pleased am afraid to tell you'll
You'll take my darling little sister from
met cried Nina In alarm.
mo. l promise you shall not be sepa-
rated"
II am afraid you will put her in an
orphan asylum: but she Is happy with me.
amt you. Dot? And we love each other
sol' Nina broke down and sobbed.
"S-h! Don't cry, dear. See. the peo-
Pile are looking at you. and think | have
been unkind. 1 only want TO help you.
Make me three more dancing dolls.
win come for them this time tomorrow
Goodbye for the present" And the young
lady FASTENED away.
Nina wiped her eyes quickly as several
customers approached.
II want Noah's ark and n doll: they
are for my babies Christmas tree" said
a sympathetic woman in poor clothes.
Soy. did you cheat that lady that
she made yer cry" asked a saucy little
fellow who had been watching.
Are you not ashamed to talk 10 to q
nice little girl like that7" cried the wo-
man.
I'VE don't cheatp' protested Dot. indiG-
nantly.
''whs, did yer cry fer. thenT' the boy
persisted.
Because our mothers dead" said Dot
''Ohi" said the boy. I'm sorry" He
felt IN his pockets. Give me five cents
worth OF chocolate" and. getting IL. he
threw down the nickel and walked oS.
whistling.
80 you will have no Christmas. poor
dears! Well. / invite you 10 come TO my
babies Christmas tree. It's poor. but 1t
will be better than none" Then she told
them where she lived. and added. ASK
for Mrs. williams. Goodbye"
Only one more day for active business
Nina was happy when she went home at
night and counted all the money they had
made.
Nest morning they bought good sup
ply OF toys. fer this was to be the great
day for sales. II was very cold. Mr..
Robbins arranged for them TO sell net
coffee also. ard the little ogl-stove help
ed 20 keep them warm.
II was very busy day. and many
stopped 10 get CUP Of coffee IN the mid
die OF their shopping
This Is a great accommodation. said
a lady. ~ have so much 70 do that |
can't spare the time to 20 10 a res