The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1910-01-13

" Z. Z. VIVIAN


ncuuyy.rht. IN, " Amsdcan Press 49,
ctatlon.l
VT vas Christnns morning ard very,
very cold. Every few minutes :
strxlnu,an would cOms through ~
car. watching carefully : dbl
lnced thermometer and stopping 81
turn screws of the heating apparatus
"a persistent ati1npts u keep the
polntlas finger 1t 70 degrees,
Despite the discomfort OF close air.
which was none too warm at best. the
passengers III the main wore Joyous
faces and didn't seem % consider The
numerous packages and bundles An an
noynnce.
From wsyside station. which iook
ed NJ II Il Ind never been neighbor to
any honse where human beings lived.
I poor little girl entered nnd dropped
into scnt where M overcoat told that
it, owner was probably In the smoking
car. The child did mt notice this. and
IN her ignorance OF travel Il would
have made no difference II she had.
She might have been eight or ten years
old. but that air OF self reliance was
hers which povcrty's child often nc-
quires very young. ret there was roth
tag forward Or bold" IN her appear
anec. Her dress WIS of the scantlest-
a thin cotton gown. barely concealing
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 RID with cold. but the small
person lifted to him wonderfully
frank face and coniidingiy Informed
him that she was going to grnndma''
for Christmas and that the package
she clutched In her other hand contain
ed cookies for grandma.
The conductor smiled down II her.
A plying smile II WAS. ~ he thought
Of his own well fed. VIII clothed chill
dren, with whom he expected to eat
late Christmas dinner when bis ruu
was over. The smile fingered on his
face a. be passed 10 ne next seat aud
saw that Itx occupants nd heard.
Two women at in the sest. stran.
rers to each other and rs unlike ~ VI
| persons made on the same general
principles could be. One was tall. dig
nsfied. young. wrapped In costly furs
everything about her showing the per
son who never lacked money OF leisure
the other. siont. Jolly. elderly. comfort
abIe--a kindly and well 10 do woman
The two had Travelled miles nnd mile'
side by side with not word passes
between them.
Now both sat with eyes nxed on ths
foriorn BIT Of humanity In front O
them. Suddenly the Younger wcmni
opened her travelling bag md tool
from II soft gray shawl. II was a
leah two yards long aud half M wide
ro;ding II together. she touched tn
little wall. saying In a low toae
sssand up. my DEAR The child obey
ed wondrrlnxiy. aud this woman /
the cr.stly furs placed the folded shaw
around the small shoulders. CROSSED !
IL front and. bringing the ends - 81
back. pinned them securely.
-itis yours 20 keep she whispered
"a Christmas present.. Then. lunn
Ing to the womau at her side. she ssi'
apolcgetieaIIy. 4 really did not nee'
II myself" There was blink u lear
In her eyes.
-wcll. now the elder woman ~
claimed IN admiration. 'yon just -
me TO fhlnkin'. I'm really axham~
that dldn'f think u doing sosncthin
myself. Here. I've gut two pairs .
mitiens for my grandson Just abon
her size Ia my hand bag. and be cnp'
wear out more than one pair this win
! ter. Resides. ! can knit another. IL
nothing OF all 10 knit mIttens." NJ
was busiIy uDdra wing the strings u n
enormous silk bag. but her glasses Wei
blurred. and her fingers were claims
with taste
whats your name. little gisii H
! tie7 Well. hold cut your hands. Ksii'
. Myi Aren't they good az: There's 81
other Christmas present TO Keep. An
here's frosted cake Just eat u riri
now. Kstie. Your grandma won't nee
II. with all those you've got IN yo'
bundle"
The child again obeyed. She did NJ
i. say. Thank ron" Possibly she a
{ moi know how. but she recsned to rio
E I'll over. and her eyes returned ihnni
. even II her timid lips did not.
"i'm proud TO know Jon. my dear
!. the roIIy poly. comfortable woman ~
now 10 the young lady. for she b.
! been saying n herself MI the With
"You'rv the right sort. can see that
n "And ! am proud 10 know ron" q
G other responded. almost shyIy o7eriI
her hand. which was quickly buried
q big. warm Trnsp. I'VE all long TO
Of service ~ Christmas time, y
!, know"
AT thst instant the man Of the ovs
!. coat ssunfered IN 10 resume his -
! lie gave low whistle Of surprise
y the happy little Traveller next The vi
q dow. glanced nj the two women II
r. comprsbend~d the situation. His riE
!. hand made = quick dive into hIs tro
sers pocket asfIf 10 get some none
!, IN another instant Ne Withdrew y ~
!, reached NJ to the rack OVERHEAD q