Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1904-12-09
The Christmas Fell
lowship of Miss Nab
ISABEL GORDON CURTIS
(Reprinted from Good Housekeeping BY
Permission.)

LltLle MISS MAD sat staring into the
radiant heart of a wood fire. IT.
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 woodland that occurred
when she was l7-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 a Ger
tain heart warmth and happiness
which fingered for months, bit it had
not meant fellowship or sympathy.
II believe I want a little bit of
Christmas to myself this year." Miss
Nab whispered to herelf; cts SIGH
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
sort of longin' for fellowship-ain't
there, Maltie?"
The gray cat arched his back and
rubbed his plump body against Miss
MAIDS Dress
*'It's fine dinner" observed Miss
Nab in her solitary musing; cts
fine enough dinner to deserve fellow
ship" She rose and walked to thu
front window. II might Jest as we'll
out with what is or my mind" sire
said. 81 know who want to invite as
we'll as can be; all that's troublin' me
is the propriety of it. Now if the
little thing hedn't father, I'd take
her in and keep her-longer'n Christ
mas, too"
She was watching a six-vear-old
girl who lived in the big board ng
house across the street, which was
"thronged and lonesome" as Miss Nab
expressed it. Every afternoon about
five the child fingered on the steps
and watched eagerly till a man turned
the corner-a tall, round-shOuldered
thin, sckly-looking man. AS soon as
che caught sight Of him she darted
like a swallow down the street and
fairly threw herself into his arms. He
always slune his lunch box on his
wrist and lifted her to his breast.
They did not seen, to talk. The head
with it's brown curls was laid content
eddy on his shoulder and occasionally
the father bent to rub his cheek
against the chi1d's pale face IIe
climbed the steps with the little girl in
his aims and shut the door behind
him.
"It's fellowship inside there" sha
whispered; then she sat down to her
lonely little tea table.
At seven o'clock she put Matte 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 it seemed to rhyme with
the hymn, it mingled with the short
discourse and prayer. It had only one
tenor: she was longing to have the
minister settle monotono1,s question
for her. It seemed as if all che 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.
81 wanted to speak to you Just
minute, Mr.. Pierce live alone, yoc,
know, an I want to give some other
folks who are kind Of lonesome a bit
Of Christmas comfort an fellowship
an good dinner"
IT know nothing more BETTING tn
spirit of Christmas" said the clergy.
man, cordially; cit is following the
very teachings of our Master"
"1'd like to tell you, though, who II
u.s." said Miss Nab, eagerly; cts a lit
tie girl who lives across the street in
a great. noisy, desolate BOARDING
house. She'd have to bring her father,
for he's all she has. They seem to be
terrible devoted to each other. reck
on he's a widower-though dom:
know. I've never spoken a word tc
either of 'em. I thought you'd tell me
whether 'twould be proper or not?"
''There can be no question of the
propriety Miss Mab." he said earnest
ly. 'In your kindness of heart Won
could make no mistake"
Miss Nab took his proffered hand
warmly. *"Thank you," she said:
"thank you so much!"
Next day she watched for the little
girl, who did not appear till about half
past four, and then she came out &c
hop nimbly up and down the flight Of
stone steps. Miss Nab threw a shawl
over her head and crossed tho SNOWY
street. She had gracious way with
children which readily reached their
hearts. The shyness Of the child dis.
appeared while Miss Nab delivered =
nervous invitation. You'll remem-
her," she said gently, what I want
you to do. Jest whisper to vous
father when he picks you up At thu
oorn ar fhof 11ro1~-