Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-12-22


chilly and Nelly and can have a grand
time. Now you go right on an get ready,
and catch the quarter to-nlne train.
won't hear no words about It,"
So presently the poor, hard-worked
young mother in her widows bonnet
started off down the street, leading bright
faced little Susy by the hand; and Miss
Debby and her favorite Nelly watched
them go, from the window. The break
fast dishes were washed and put away in
such fashion that Nelly thought It quite
as good as dolls housekeeping; and then,
while Miss Debby ironed, she sat in a
warm corner by the stove and listened to
stories and to Miss Debby's old-fashioned
ballads, which, though sung in a slightly
cracked voice, were most delightful to
childish ears. What Christmas morning
1t wasl And after the small ironing was
done what pleasant things there seemed
to be to dol Miss Debby rummaged until
she found some little aprons cut out for
the children; and first she basted one for
Nelly to sew, and then she took the other
herself, and they sat down together and
sewed until dinner time. The aprons
were pink and added to the gayety Of the
occasion; and they were ready at last to
surprise Nelly's mother by being put
back in their place in the same roll-all
done even to the buttons and buttonholes,
for Miss Debby found time to finish Mel
ly's as well as her own. And they had
bread and milk for dinner, and Miss Deb
by told stories of when she was a little
girl. Altogether there never was a hap
pier Christmas day, and the spirit of
Christmas, of peace and good will, shone
bright in Miss Debby's face. Her quick
eye saw many chances to lend helping
hand to the poor, defenceless household.
When Nelly's mother came home at night,
heartened and cheered by her visit, she
found the ironing and mending done, and
day to two later the pink aprons turned
up all ready to put on. And Nelly's tire.
some cough, which sounded like the
whooping- cough, was quite stilled by some
good, old-fashioned dose which Miss Deb
by mixed agreeably with molasses and
put to simmer on the stove. There seemed
to be no end to the kind and thoughtful
things Miss Debby did that day in a
neighbours house.
She had started for home at dusk, just
before 1t was time for young Mrs. Preller
to get back, and was walking along the
street little tired. but very happy.
why it's only half-past four o'clock
now!" she exclaimed. as she passed the
watchmakers window. II mean to go
and see Mrs. Wallis a little WHILE" and
she quickened her steps.
Presently Miss Debby Gaines came to
a fine, large house. very different from
the one she had just left. and took pains
to straighten her little black bonnet as
she went up the long flight Of handsome
| stone steps. An elderly man-servant
opened the door.
Il wish you a happy Christmas" said
Miss Debby. Can I see Mrs. Wallis, do
you suppose Mr.. Johnson"
"Oh, yes'm," said Johnson, with feel
ing. II was wishing somebody'd come in,
| Miss Gaines, now it's beginning to get
| dark. The young ladies was here this
morning, and brought their presents, but
they'd made a promise to go out into the
country with some young friends, so they
aren't coming to dinner, and Mrs. Wallis
has been alone all day. She was pleased
to have EN- go, though"
BY this time Miss Debby had crossed
| the wide hall to the library, where the
lonely old mistress Of the house usually
sat She hestitated a moment before
she could speak.
II wish you happy Christmas" she
said. IT'S me, Mrs. Wallis-Debby
Gaines
why, Miss Debby!" and there was
something in the tone of this hostess
which told at once that she was glad to
see a friend. why. Miss Debby! Come
and sit down in this chair by me! don't
doubt you have been trotting about all
| day." and Mrs Wallis held out a warm,
| affectionate hand.
mo. I've been keepin' house for Miss
| Preller. so she could go an see her
mother" explained Miss Debby quite
simply II had a nice time with her little
girl that's just getting over a cold and
couldn't go with the others l was just
on my way home. thought I'd stop and
see If there was anything / could do for
you"
Nothing. except to stay little while
and keep me company" said Mrs. Wallis
my granddaughter are usually here
but they had very pleasant plan made
for them, and I was very glad to have
them go. A skating party and a dinner
at the Ashtons' country house, and a
dance"
Young folks will be young folks" said
Miss Debby. Il should like to hear al
about 1t when they come and tell. Every
body seemed to be goin' somewhere to-
day; twas the nice clear weather"
There are all my pretty presents or
the table" said Mrs Wallis. Somehow
they haven't been very good company
this is the first Christmas In all my life
that have happend to spend quite alone.
Miss Debby might not have done Il
without thinking, by daylight, but sh'
drew a little nearer and took hold Of Mrs
Wallis's hand.
you must have had a great many
lovely things to remember" she said
softly But anybody can't help feeling
lonesome: ] know how it's Everybody
, misses somebody the world over. Their
, was all of us together once at home, and
. am a kind of sparrow on the housetops
, But I've had beautiful day so far
own l was afraid you'd have a sight o
, company an l should have to miss seeing
; you"
, I'm glad somebody wanted to see me,
said Mrs. Wallis, more cheerfully, 'an'
, one of the friends I've known longest;
and they went on with much pleasan
talk of both the old days and the presen
! time. and Mrs. Wallis gave Miss Debby
cup of tea, and they had happy littl
feast together there In the library befor
! the humble. loving hearted guest wen
away leaving peace and goodwill ono
= more in a lonely and troubled heart.
! She stopped here and there at tn
houses of other friends, forgetting In he
happiness that she was empty-handed o.
' Christmas Day, and everywhere she lef
a new feeling OF frendliness and pleasan
4 kindness. At one house she comforted
crying child by mending his Christina
q top, and at another she knew just how
help a pretty girl to dress for her Christ
: mas party, and sat down and took OFF he
n big wooden gloves to alter the refractor
1 dress, which 1t had seemed impossible
wear. She was like a good angel as sh
l. sat there, sewing and smiling ana maxim
: everybody's mind at ease.
1t was late In the evening when thi
II was done, and she had had long da!
a but she stopped, with great bravery, an
n asked to see the minister, and told hi
n how thankful she was for his sermon