The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1908-12-24
A BIT OF
CHRISTMAS


1t was Christmas morning, and
very. very cold. Every few minutes
a trainman came through the car,
watching carefully a dial-faced
thermometer, and stopping to turn
screws of the heating apparatus, in
persistent attempts to keep the point
ing finger at 20 degrees.
Despite the discomfort OF close mir,
which was none too warm at best,
the passengers in the main were joy
Gus faces and didn't seem to consid-
er the numerous packages and bun
dies an annoyance.
From q waysidc station. which
looked as If it had never been noiEh-
5or to any house where human being
lived, a poor little girl entered and
dropped into a seat, where an over
coat told that its owner was proba-
5ly in the smoking car. The child
lid not notice this, and in her iEnCr-
ance OF travel, 1t would have made
10 difference If she had. She might
nave been eight or ten years old,
but that air OF self-reliance was
hers, which poyerty's child often ac-
luires very young; yet there was
nothing forward or bold" in her ap-
pearance. Her dress was of the
scantiest; thin cotton gown, bare
ly conccaling the lack of suitable un-
lerwear, little worn shoulder shawl
and battered straw hat.
When the conductor appeared the
hand which presented her half-fare
ticket was red with cold; but the
small person lifted to him a wonder
fully frank face, and contidingly In
formed him that she was going to
yrandma's for Christmas, and that
he package she clutched in her
other hand contained cookies for
grandma.
The conductor smiled down at her;
a plying smile it was, as he thought
If his own we'll fed, well clothed
chidren. with whom he expected to
aat late Christmas dinner when his
.'un was over. The smile fingered
"a his face as he passed to the next
eat and saw that it's Occupants had
4eard the child's w'f.s.
Two women SIT in the seat;
'trangers to C.,h other, and as un-
Ike as two persons made on the
ame general principles could be.
ne was tall dignified, young, wrap
ed in costly furs, everything about
er showing the person who had new
1oalraI 1aisnra Tho
her, stout, jolly, elderly. comforta-
,e-a kindly and well-to-do woman.
he two had travelled miles and
lies, side by side. with not word
...ssed between them.
Now, both sat with eyes fixed on
Q forlorn bit of humanity in front
them. Suddenly the younger
oman opened her travelling bag and
ok from 1t soft, gray scarf shawl.
2 was at least two yards long and
9lf as wide. Folding 1t together
le touched the little waif, saying
. low tone: Stand up, my dear"
ne child obeyed, wonderingly, and
Ills woman in the costly furs placed
&c folded shawl around the small
loulders, crossed 1t In front and
ringing the ends to the back, pinned
lem securely.
at is yours to keep" she whisper
l. "A Christmas present" Then.
irning to the woman at her side.
ie said, apologetically, II really did
OF need it myself" There was q
link Of tears in her eyes.
well, now" the older woman ex-
aimed in admiration. you just set
no to thinking! I'm really ashamed
nat I didn't think Of doing some
ling myself Here, I've got two
airs Of mittens for my grandson
lst about her size-in my bag; and
can't wear out more than one pair
lis winter. Besides. / can knit an
her. It's nothing at all to knit
9ittens." She was busily undrawing
70 strings of an enormous silk bag,
1t her glasses were blurred and her
lgers were clumsy with haste.
whats your name. little girl7
atie? Well. hold out your hand,
atie. Myl Aren't they good fit!
lere's another Christmas present
keep. And here's a frosted cake.
st eat 1t, right now, Katie. Your
andma won't need 1t, with all those
1--WE got in your bundle"
THE child again obeyed. She did
say, THANK you"-possibly she