The Princeton union., 1904-12-15
The Christmas Fell
lowship Of Miss Nab
ISABEL GORDON CURTIS
(Reprinted from Good Housekeeping by
Permission.)

A*SANSO VA!J WV Udyo VI SullotLldS.
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 a
lonely Christmas; there were always
gratefully to the shelter of her home
All these festivities had brought GER
tain heart warmth and happinesl
which fingered for months, but it had
not meant fellowship or sympathy.
II believe want little bit o.
Christmas to myself this year." Miss
Nab whispered to herelf; ''it's sich
hard work, all the fxin's! I do love
to see the old women an the starved
boys an girls fill themselves up. What
they want, though, is the eatin'. The:
don't know nothin' about fellowship
When woman steps over the 40 lins
an has been alone all her life, there's
a sort of longin' for fellowship-aint
there, Maltie?"
The gray cat arched his back and
rubbed his plump body against Mis-,
Mab's dress.
cts a fine dinner" observed Mis-:
Nab in her solitary musing; ''it's q
fine enough dinner to deserve fellow.
ship" She rose and walked to tn.
front window. Il might jest as we'll
out with what is on my mind" she
said. II know who want to invite az
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 six-year-old
girl who lived in the big boarding
house across the street, which was
''thronged and lonesome as Miss MAI
expressed it. Every afternoon about
five the child fingered on the steps
and watched eagerly till man turned
the corner-a tall, round-shouldered
thin, sickly-1oolking 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 it's brown curls was laid content
edly on his shoulder and occasionally
the father bent to rub his cheek
against the child's pale face. EIe
climbed the steps with the little girl in
him.
'1t's fellowship inside there" sh:
whispered; then she sat down to he,
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 it seemed to rhyme with
the hymn it mingled with the short
discourse and prayer. 1t had only one
tenor: she was longing to have the
minister settle monotonous question
for her. It seemed as if all the con
gregation fingered to talk with him
after prayer meeting. That night once
or twice he held out a 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.
: II wanted to speak to you lust q
M NV
know, an want to give some other
folks who are kind of lonesome a bit
OF Christmas comfort an fellowship
an a good dinner
II know nothing more befitting th,,
spirit Of Christmas" said the clergy
man, cordially; cit is following the
very teachings of our Master
"Td like to tell you, though, who it
u.s." said Miss NAB, eagerly; ''it's a. lit
tie girl who lives across the street in
great. noisy, desolate boardips
house. She'd have to bring her father
for he's all she has. They seem to be
terrible devoted to each other I reck-
on he's a widower-though I dom;
know I've never spoken a word to
either of 'em. thought you'd tell ma
whether 'twould be proper or not ?"
There can be no question of thc
propriety, Miss Mab,' he said earnest
ly. I'm your kindness of heart you
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 20
hop nimbly up and down the fight o,
stone steps. Miss Nab threw a shawl
over her. head and crossed the 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-
ber," she said gently, what I want
you tc do. Jest whisper to your
father when he picks you up at tho
street corner that lonely old woman
who lives across the street wishes
bit of Christmas fellowship, an If Won