Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-12-22
AN EMPTY PURSE.
A New England story Of a Happy Christ
mas Day.

1.
Little Miss Debby Gaines was counting
the days to Christmas; there were only
three, and the weather was bright and
warm for the time Of year.
i've got to step fast to carry out all
my plans" she said to herself. ut seems
to me as II II were going to be a beauti-
full Christmas; 1t won't be like any rye
spent lately, either. / shouldn't wonder
II 1t turned out for the best my losing
that money 1 always call my Christmas
money; anyway, I'll do the best 1 can to
make up for it."
Miss Debby was sitting by the window
sewing as fast as she could, while the
light Of the short winter day was going,
mending warm old petticoat and hum
ming psalm tune. Suddenly she heard
knock at the door; she lived in two
upstairs rooms, and could not see the
street.
dropped her lapful of work
why, II 1t isn't Mrs. Riversv she
said, with much pleasure.
The guest was large woman, fashion
ably dressed. You would have thought
that very elegant blue-j jay had come to
make a late afternoon call upon such a
brown, chippy sparrow as Miss Debby
| Gaines. Miss Debby felt much honored
and brought her best roclklng-cha and
Miss Rivers seated herself and began to
rock Her stiff silk gown creaked as II
she were a ship at sea.
| What are you doing-something pref
| ty for Chrlstmas?" she asked.
1T may be for Christmas, but 1t isn't
very pretty" answered Miss Debby, with
little laugh and shake OF the head.
Tell you the truth, was mending up a
nice warm petticoat that l don't have
much use for; thought I'd give 1t to old
| Mrs. Bean, at the poorhouse. She's
| nj aftfr N -
got poor eyesight an can't sew, and I
| thought this would make her real COM
Portable. It's rather more heavy than
need to wear"
1--WE been down town all the afternoon,
and it's so tiresome trying to get any
thing in the stores,' said Mrs. Rivers
They push you right away from what
you want time to look over. like to con-
slider what buy. It's a great burden to
me trying to get ready for Christmas, and
thought l shouldn't do anything this
year on account OF my health. I've had
large expenses this autumn. had to
have new carpets and a new outside gar
ment. I do like to see the pretty things
in the stores, but they were so full Of
people and so hot and disagreeable this
afternoon
Miss Debby had picked UP her petit
coat and was holding 1t close to the win
dow while she sewed on the button with
firm linen stitches.
81 haven't been down the street for two
or three days" she said. You'll excuse
me for goin on with my work; it's most
dark, and I'll be done in moment, and
we can sit an talk"
1T does me good to come and see you
once in awhile" said Mrs. Rivers. plain
lively. 81 thought I'd stop on my way
home Last year you had so many max
ing"
''There aren't any at all this year."
| DafN1N H.vnx ais q
not convenient. so I thought I'd just try
having another kind OF a merry Christ
| mas"
Sometimes 1 wish 1 had no more re-
sponsibilities than you have. My large
house Is such a care. Mr.. Rivers is very
, particular about everything. and so am L.
She gave a great sigh and creaked louder
than before, but Miss Debby did not have
the right sort OF consolation to ofer and
kept silence. you enjoy having your
, pretty house." she ventured to say after
a few moments, you wouldn't like to dc
with as little room as some" and Mrs
Rivers shook her head in the dusk, an6
went on rocking.
, presents aren't nothing unless the
heart goes with them" said Miss Debby
boldly, at last, land I think we can show
good feelin' in other ways than In bestow.
, ing little pincushions. Anyway, I've go
to find those ways this year IT'S a day
, when we New England folks can seem t
speak right out to each other, and tina
does seem good. Somethin gets in thu
air expect now to enjoy this Chrlstmai
| myself, though / felt dreadful bad las
week. sayin to myself I was the frs
time couldn't make my presents.
| didn't know how interested l was goin
to get; you see I've made my little plans.
, Then they talked about other things
and Mrs. Rivers grew more cheerful. ant
q | at last went away. She always foun,
Christmas a melancholy season. Sh
did not like the trouble OF giving then
or, in fact at any other time; but she ha'
her good points, as Miss Debby Gaine
always insisted.
On Christmas morning early Miss Debb
= walked up with feeling of happy expec
tation, and could hardly wait to max
her cup of tea and eat her little break
fast on the corner of the table before sh
got out her best bonnet and Sunday cloal
to begin her Christmas errands. 1t wa
misty and dark but the sunlight cam
at last, pale and radiant, into the littl
brown room; and Miss Debby's fac
matched II with quiet smile and happ
look of eagerness.
Take neither purse nor scrip" sh
said 10 herself, as she went down-stair
to the street. There was nobody els
stirring in the house. but she knew tina
the poorhouse would be open and its earl
breakfast Dy lne time sue COuiu Be
there. 1t was mile or so out of towr
She Rugged a large package under he
shawl, and shivered little at the begin
ming of her walk. There was no snow
but the heavy hoar-frost glistened on tn
sidewalks, and the air was sharp.
Old Mrs. Bean was coming out of tn
great kitchen, and when her friend wishe
her q merry Christmas, she shook he
head.
There amt nobody to make It merT
for me-" she said
II wish you a happy Christmasv" sal
Miss Debby again. i've come on purpos
to be your first caller, an / am goin'
make you the only present l shall civ
this year. TITS something useful, Mi
Bean; a warm petticoat I've fixed u
nice, SOS you can put 1t right on an fe
the comfort Of it,"
The old woman's face brightene
why, you are real kind" she said cage
ly. TT is the one thing I've been wantir
Oh, yes, dear sakes! amt 1t beautif
warm one? one o. the real, old-fashiont
quilted kind. / always used to have e
when / was better off. Well, that is
present.
Now I'm goin', because l can con
an set an talk with you you any da
and today I've got Christmas work, az
of Miss Debby went to the heart OF Il