Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-19
By Josephine Moyle
Drawings by Alden Dawson

pered Agnes as she took him to her bosom; then re-
membering, continued. DO you know little man.
that this is Christmas Day? And mama and Baby
Jim going to be-oh, SO happy!"
She was up IN moment and into warm garment.
Baby Jim was wrapped in blanket and placed in
his high chair the still stove, then she
looked over at John and sharp pain shot through
her she realized that he had been drinking again
and heavily.
oh, baby boyl' she moaned, turning to prepare
the chd's bath and breakfast there are times
about to take the tiny bathtub from the stove when
the filled stocking met her gaze. Agnes looked at it
and then at John She could hardly credit it-but
yes. there it was, the little stocking and filled!
How I've wronged himi" she thought. Hes
remembered the boy, after ALL and maybe he's been
working. Dear, dear John!" Tremblingly she
there nodoubt about it, it had been filled! She
could hardly trust herself to look. Smilingy she
closed her eyes and sitting down emptied the
tents into her aproned lap Proonging the surprise
to the utmost she slowly opened her eyes; then she
bit her lip restrain the cry of anguish that choked
at her throat. Her apron contained four Jumps of
coal!
Heart crushed she gathered the pieces together
and replaced them in the little white foot covering.
then YEARLY took the small tub from the stove and
proceeded to battle the child.
He didn't mean to hurt SOL" she moaned
brokenly Its the liquor, not papa, Baby JIM
every morning: SO, after drawing the shades to
insure John an undisturbed rest, Agnes carried the
little down the four flights Of stairs and placed
him in the cheap go-cart she had purchased from
secondhand dealer.
They had gone hardly block when they were
halted by an old man whom they had passed on
many of their little morning trips. who never be-
fore had done other than beam affectonatey the
little bundle of pink and white humanity. Taking
from his overcOat pocket an elaborate jumping
jack on stick he held it forth for the baby to
grasp, all the time pulling the string. Agnes recog
nized his kindness with a smile-and then her heart
almost stood still with the realization that though
her mt al wide
open eyes and no evidence of his misfortune. She
managed to gasp:
"Oh Thank you much He will love it.
I'm sure" and she made motion if to take the
But doesn't baby want funny toy?" persisted
the old man, keeping 1T in motion before the chds
Baby Jims head turned in the direction of the
voice he responded with the best language at his
command "Ga-Ga!" salutation all his own for
strangers:
you. Don't you want him? See baby. see!"
Agnes could stand it no longer and interjected
Its SO good Of you; but my baby-he-he can't
see the toy. He's blind!" and suppressing a heart
sob she relieved the stranger Of the paything.
For an instant he stood as though Incompetence
ing; then brushing his handkerchief across his eyes
he retreated hastily, murmuring in broken voice
Blind! God help us! How oeautiful-and blind"
NOTWITHSTANDING the early morning Incl
~ dent, this Christmas proved to be the merriest
day they had ever known. and though John slept on
Agnes occupied herself teaching the baby to listen
to and in the direction of the several mechani-
cal toys she had brought him.
When six O'Clock arrived with the ready dinner
Agnes decided it time to illuminate the tree
There were Just eleven candles, because Baby Jim
was that many months old. After dining she bathed
and prepared him for bed, then closed the door and
proceeded to light the tapers.
Then, going back to the bedroom she took up the
little one and about to carry him out into the
magic tree room" when the sight that met her gaze
parayzed her. The lighted tree had set fire to the
window curtains beside it and the flames al
ready creeping up and up.
Sbr;o ,ro,,sad Iohn from, hS 1etharox, He tool,