Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-12-21
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RUIH|ES CHRISTMAS. ]
eco AY, Joe, let's go and look at the
y Christmas things in the winders."
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fast as their legs could carry them until
they reached the shop whose "winders"
were full of the most wonderful toys; in
fact, everything that could be imagined
to delight the hearts Of children were
here most temptingly displayed. Each
article was freely commented upon, and
duly admired by the two lads, until at
last Dan said:
Now let's so right off and tell Ruthie
before we forget 'em;' and they scam
pered back to the miserable place they
called home.
Mounting the steep, narrow stairs, and
passing through dark hall. they went
softly into tiny room at the back Of the
house. On the bed In the corner lay a
little misshapen figure, with pale, thin
face, and big. hollow eyes. 1t turned
slowly and painfully as the boys entered.
Say, Ruthie," cried Joe, you Jest
oughter see the fine Christmas toys in
the winders. I'll tell you about ems"
and he described with much enthusiasm
the marvellous treasures the shop win
dows contained, interrupted now and
then by Dan, who supplied any material
his brother lacked.
Ruthie listened eagerly. The descrip-
ton of the dolls pleased her best. Joe
had observed them particularly ON her ac-
count, and was even able to describe
how some of them were dressed.
"Oh, how l wish cou.a just see one"
she sighed, "and hold it in my hand. 1t
would be so lovely and, in her earnest
ness the child tried to rise, but sank back
with cry of pain.
At that moment. the mother, black
my y,ea4 Prn A.
room, and prepared their frugal supper,
after partaking of which the children
were soon in bed and asleep.
Only few months before poor Ruthie
had been as straight and strong as her
brothers, but one day she made mis-
step and fell down the steep tenement
s'T8, and hurt her hack. With prompt
I attendance and proper care she
w6Ild probably have recovered ere this,
but her mother had no money for doctors
or medicines. She had tried to procure
admission for her child in hospital but
aigfuence was needed, which the poor sell
pm have, SO Rnthie had since lain in her
tle bed, unable to rise and often in
Feat pain.
y Since the day of the boys visit to the
! |lN Ninddws. Joe's head had been full
l:splan, which grew as the days passed
s. One afternoon, just at dusk. before
the lights were burning, he went again
to the place where he and Dan had seen
the windows full Of toys. The shop was
crowded with customers, and watching
his chance he stole softly inside, and BY
reason of his small size, glided unno-
ticed among the moving figures, until he
reached the counter. Stretching out his
hands. he stealthily snatched doll from
among a lot one of the clerks was show
ing customer, and slipped out of the
door just as the lights Hared up. Run
ming all the way, he arrived at home
safely. He rushed up the stairs. and into
the room, shouting:
II got yer doll, Ruthie; you kin hold
It. 1t amt to keep for always. but
you kin hold it," and he waved his prize
before Ruthless astonished and delighted
eyes.
She held out her hands eagerly and
grasped the doll. She smoothed the f1ax-
en- hair, and kissed the due, staring ewes.
ah- pressed the unyielding little form IL
her poor, thin arms. Joe witched her
with great satisfaction.
Flow do you like it?" he asked.
Lovely" answered Ruthie. "Wherc
did you get it, JoeT
"In the shop"
did yer steal it?" she asked. looking
at him sharply.
mo, borrowed it. I'll take it back
when yer through with it. When'u yer
be through?'
"Oh, suppose Tomorrow" Ruthie
said with sigh. Jest let me keen II
tonight"
So the borrowed doll slept that night
with the little cripple, instead of being
packed away in its customary box on the
shelf of the shop.
The next morning Ruthie, with many
tears, resigned her treasure to Joe's
keeping, and told him to take it back "a
the shop.
For it wouldn't be honest, you know
said the little girl.
Joe nodded understandingly, and in
company with Dan, went back to the
shop. When they entered, Joe went
straight to the clerk, who stood behind
the counter, and holding out the doll.
said very politely
I'm much obliged to yer, sir. It amt
hurt a bit. l only borrowed it, SO as
Ruthie could hold it while. She amt
never had one. and she can't get out to
look in the winders, cause her backs
hurt.
The clerk stared at the boy in amaze.
ment. The doll had not been missed and
this little scene was beyond his compre'
hension.
A gentleman, who was standing near
and had seen and heard all, came up to
Joe, and laying his hand kindly ON his
shoulder, asked:
who is Ruthie. my boy?"
''My sister, SIR" was the reply.
"And how old is she?" continued the
gentleman.
Eight, SIR"
-"And she never had dollT"
mo, SIR"
The stranger turned to the clerk.
please wrap up the doll nicely" he
said; and when the parcel was ready, he
paid for 1t, then spoke again to the boys
Now, take me to Ruthie," and Joe and
Dan obeyed.
AS they walked along, the kind gentle
man, who was physician, questioned
the lads about their sisters injury, and
they told him all about her fall, and how
their mother was too poor to have hel
properly cared for. As they entered the
room, the mother, who was preparing the
midday meal, looked up in surprise as
she saw the strange gentleman with Jot
and Dan. The boys rushed to their sis
ter's bedside with the doll.
Here's yer doll, SRuthie, back again
It's ter keep fer always. The gentle
man give 1t tel. YER"
Ruthie. who Gould hardly believe tn
good news. looked at the doll with long