The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-12-23
The Christmas Eel
lowship of Miss Nab
ISABEL GORDON CURTIS
(Reprinted from Good Housekeeping by
Permission.)


radiant heart of wood fire. II
lacked only two days of Christmas.
She had not yet invited anyone to
share the hospitality of her small
home. Never since she had been left
alone in the world-and that occurred
when she was 17-had she known
lonely Christmas; there were always
some forsaken creatures ready to turn
gratefully to the shelter of her home.
All these festivities had brought GER
tain heart warmth and happiness
which fingered for months, but It had
not meant fellowship or sympathy.
81 believe I want little bit of
Christmas to myself this year." Miss
Nab whispered to herelf; Its sich
hard work, all the fixin's, / do love
TO see the old women an the starved
boys an girls fill themselves up. What
they want, though, is the eatin'. They
don't know nothin' about fellowship.
When a woman steps over the 40 line
an has been alone all her life. there's
a sort of longin' for fellowship-ain't
there, Maltie?"
The gray cat arched his back and
rubbed his plump body against Miss
Mab's dress.
IT'S a fine dinner" observed Miss
Nab in her solitary musing: "it's
fine enough dinner to deserve fellow
ship" She rose and walked to the
front window. Il might jest as well
out with what is on my mind" she
said 81 know who I want to invite as
well as can be; all that's troublin' me
is the propriety of it. Now II the
little thing hedn't a father, I'd take
her in and keep her-longer'n Christ
mas. too"
She was watching a six-year-old
girl who lived in the big boarding
house across the street. which was
"thronged and lonesome" as Miss Nab
expressed 1t. Every afternoon about
five the child fingered on the steps
and watched eagerly till a man turned
the corner-a tall. round-shouldered.
thin. sickly-looking man. AS soon as
she caught sight of him she darted
like a swallow down the street and
fairly threw herself into his arms. He
always slung his lunch box on his
wrist and lifted her to his breast.
They did not seem to talk. The head
with its brown curls was laid content
edly on his shoulder and occasionally
the father bent to rub his cheek
against the child's pale face. lie
climbed the steps with the little girl in
his arms and shut the door behind
him.
"It's fellowship inside there" she
whispered; then she sat down to her
lonely little tea table.
At seven o'clock she put Maltie to
his bed down cellar; afterward she
dressed and started for prayer meet
ing. Two or three friends stopped to
speak to her They decided she was in
an absent mood for she did not seem
to know what they were talking about.
Miss Nab had only one thought in her
mind, and 1t seemed to rhyme with
the hymn. 1t mingled with the short
discourse and prayer. 1t had only one
tenor: she was longing to have the
minister settle a monotonous question
for her. II seemed as IL all the con-
gregation fingered to talk with him
after prayer meeting. That night once
or twice he held out welcoming
hand, but she evaded It: she could not
seek his advice until she was alone
At last everybody was gone but her.
self The young clergyman came for.
ward genially.
T wanted to speak to you Just 9
minute, Mr. Pierce live alone. you
know, an I want to give some othel
folks who are kind Of lonesome a bl
Of Christmas comfort an fellowship
an a good dinner"
"T know nothing more befitting tn.
spirit of Christmas" said the clergy
man, cordially: cit is following tn.
very teachings of our Master"
"Pd like. to tell you, though. who I
| is" said Miss Nab, eagerly; "it's a lit
tie girl who lives across the street II
a great noisy, desolate boardini
house. Shed have to bring her father
for he's all she has. They seem to b
terrible devoted to each other. reck
on he's a widower-though I dom
now. I've never spoken a word I,
either Of 'em. thought you'd tell N
whether 'twould be proper or not?
There can be no question Of tn
propriety, Miss Nab" he said earnes.
~. "Tn your kindness of heart yo
could make no mistake"
Miss Nab took his proffered han
warmly. Thank you," she said
thank you so much!"
Next day she watched for the littl
girl. who did not appear till about hall
past four, and then she came out {
hop nimbly up and down the fight G
stone steps. Miss Nab threw a shaw
over her head and crossed the snow
street. She had a gracious way wit
children which readily reached thel
hearts. The shyness of the child di:
appeared while Miss Nab delivered
nervous invitation. You'll remen
ber." she said gently. what I war
YOU to do. Jest whisper to you
father when he picks you up at th
street corner that lonely old woma
who lives across the street wishes
bit of Christmas fellowship. an IL yo
and he haven't anything else plann.
she invites you TO come and dine wit
her Tomorrow I'll watch for you
come back. an II you wave your han
I'll know you'll come. You can r,
member"
"Tn remember" answered the litt
r girl. She spoke gravely, but there wi
an eager light in her eyes. I'm SUI
well come Papa and me was tall
4 ing about Christmas last night. ar
t wishing we we're back in the countr