Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-12-25
A BIT OF
CHRISTMAS
By c. Z. wYMAN

i
II trainman would come through the
car. watching carefully dial
faced thermometer and stopping to
turn screws of the heating apparatus
In persistent attempts to keep the
pointing finger at 20 degrees.
Despite the discomfort OF close air.
which was none too warm at best. the
passengers In the main wore Joyous
faces and didn't seem to consider the
numerous packages and bundles an an-
noyance.
From a wayside station. which look
ed as If 1t had never been neighbor to
any house where human beings lived.
a poor little girl entered and dropped
into a seat where an overcoat told that
its owner was probably In the smoking
car. The child did not notice this. and
in her ignorance of travel 1t would
have made no difference IL she had.
She might have been eight or ten years
old, but that air of self reliance was
hers which poverty's child often ac-
quires very young, yet there was moth
ing forward or bold" in her appear
ance. Her dress was of the scantiest-
thin cotton gown. barely concealng
the lack Of suitable underwear; little
worn shoulder shawl and a 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 wonderfully
frank face and conHdingly Informed
him that she was going to grandma's
for Christmas and that the package
she clutched in her other hand contain
ed cookies for grandma.
The conductor smiled down at her
A plying smile 1t was. as he thought
of his own we'll fed, well clothed chill
dren, with whom he expected to eat
late Christmas dinner when his run
was over. The smile fingered on his
face as he passed to the next seat and
saw that its occupants had heard.
Two women sat in the seat. stran-
gers to each other and as unlike as two
persons made on the same general
principles could be. One was tall, dig
nified, young, wrapped In costly furs,
everything about her showing the per-
son who never lacked money or leisure;
the other, stout jolly, elderly, comfort
able-a kindly and well to do woman.
The two had Travelled miles and miles
side by side with not a word passed
between them.
Now both sat with eyes fixed on the
forlorn bit of humanity In front of
them. Suddenly the younger woman
opened her travelling bag and took
from 1t soft gray shawl. 1t was at
least two yards long and half as wide.
Folding it together. she touched the
little waif, saying in low tone,
"Stand up. my dear" The child obey
ed wonderingly. and this woman In
the costly furs placed the folded shawl
around the small shoulders, crossed it
in front and. bringing the ends to the
back. pinned them securely.
''It is yours to keep" she whispered
"a Christmas present." Then, turn
ing to the woman at her side. she said
apologetically, Il really did not need
it myself" There was blink of tears
in her eyes.
'Well, now" the older woman ex-
claimed In admiration, you just set
me to thinkin'. Pm really ashamed
that 1 didn't think of doing something
myself. Here, I've got two pairs of
mittens for my grandson-just about
her size-in my hand bag. and he can't
wear out more than one pair this win
ter. Besides, l can knit another. It's
nothing at all to knit mittens." She
was busily undra wing the strings of an
enormous silk bag, but her glasses were
blurred. and her fingers were clumsy
with haste.
whats your name. little girl? Ka-
tie? Well. hold out your hands. Katie.
My! Aren't they good fit. There's an
other Christmas present to keep. And
here's a frosted cake. Just eat 1t right
now, Katie. Your grandma won't need
1t, with all those you've got in your
bundle"
The child again obeyed. She did not
say, THANK you" Possibly she did
not know how. but she seemed to glow
all over, and her eyes returned thanks
even If her timid lips did not.
"Pm proud to know you. my dear"
the rolly poly, comfortable woman said
now to the young lady. for she had
been saying to herself all the while:
you're the right sort I can see that"
"And l am proud to know you" the
other responded, almost shyly offering
her hand. which was quickly buried in
a big, warm grasp 1--WE all long to be
of service at Christmas time, you
know
At that instant the man of the over
coat sauntered in to resume his seat.
He gave a low whistle of surprise at
the happy little traveller next the win
dow, glanced at the two women and
comprehended the situation. His right
hand made quick dive into his trou-
sers pocket as If to get some money.
In another instant he withdrew 1t and
reached up to the rack overhead and
lifted down a large paper bundle. TAX
ing the bundle across the aisle to an
empty seat. he opened 1t and took out
a smaller package from among many
others. Untying this package. he
brought to light a faxen haired doll
dressed In the latest style and respIen<
dent In large picture hat. This he
placed in the little girls arms, saying.
"From my little daughter. who would
rather you should have It," Then he
lifted bis hat courteously to the wom-
en-, took his overcoat on his arm and
strobe or to find seat elsewhere.
Rich little Katie!