The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-18

L n
thanxless! That's the way of the
whole lot" remarked Miss Sniffy to
herself inside the room. She touched
the bell again. Mary ironed out her
dissatisfied face Immediately and an
swered it.
ASK Miss Gwendolin to come to me-"
said Miss Sniffy.
Miss Gwen appears on the scene, a
bright, merry faced. pretty girl.
'Gwendolin, remarked Miss Sniffy
in her most unpleasant manner heres
a Christmas present for you 1t is
really more than / can afford, and T
ought not to give you so expensive
thing, but I suppose I can skimp my
self and deny myself things / ought to
have to make up for it. I wonder if
you ever think how much you cost me?
1 probably will not be able to give you
anything next year. but take it,"
Gwen did not answer, but took the
gift and hurried out as fast as she
could, saying only, Thanks, aunt"
Her face was elouded, though the gift
was an exquisite white ostrich tip cape
with stole ends, just what the girl had
been longing fer and which set off her
bright beauty like a halo. But she said
as she looked at herself in the glass. 81
feel as mean as if Aunt Sniff had slap
ped me in the face"
Miss Sniffy thought to herself: We'll.
the mink might at least have been CIV
lily thankful. But there's no more
gratitude in her than in Mary"
Then Miss Sniffy put on her hat and
took her distinguished presence to the
Christmas tree festivities of the free
trade school and kindergarten. She
made a talk to the poor slums children.
She asked them what they would rath-
little girl lisped:
"A candy rabbit"
A boy said he would rather have a
train of cars Miss Sniffy looked grave
and remarked: THAT is not at all what
you ought to want. I have brought you
what you ought to want It is some Sc
rious books which will tell you what
poor children like you ought to think
and say and how you ought always to
make your manners to the wise and
good people who come down from their
places to help you to be moral and obe-
dent and humble. Read these books
carefully. They are meant for just
such children as you" The children
merely looked crestfallen.
Miss Sniffy was a professional philan-
thropist. She had given a whole STAIN
ed glass window to the bath room of
the home for half orphan freckle faced
children. It was called the Hannah
Jane Sniffy memorial window. Her
charities were as wide as the circula-
ton of the newspapers in her city.
When she got home that day q lady
was waiting for her. The lady asked
her to help a poor girl take music les-
sons to enable her to earn her living as
a singer. The ladies wanted to give the
money at Christmas.
rs the charity q public one?" asked
Miss Sniffy. "Oh, no." answered the
lady. THE girl is proud. She expects
to pay every cent back by and by. IL q
few ladies will consider the money they
let her have as a private loan she will
be very, very grateful, and
my secretary will communicate with
you and let you know" said Miss Sniff
fly in a manner not exactly suggestive
of Christmas sweetness and light.
Next morning the lady got this an
swer: Miss Snify can offer Mrs. Null
yer no encouragement in the matter
suggested. The regular philanthropic
demands on Miss Sniffy at Christmas
time already occupy all her time and
attention"