The Greenville morning herald. [volume] (Greenville, Tex.) 1890-1956, 1910-01-07

pointing finger ut 20 degrees.
Despite the discomfort OF close air.
which was none too warm ut best. the
passengers in the main wore joyous
fnces and didn't seem to consider the
numerous packages and bundles an an
nOyance.
From wayside station, which look
ed as If it had never been neighbor to
any house where human beings lived,
poor little girl entered and dropped
into n 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 it 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 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 scnntiest-
thin cotton gown. barely concealing
the lack of suitable underwear; n little
worn shoulder shawl and n battered
straw hat
When the conductor appeared the
HuDu WHICH ,lllNNtlllNb hNi nun AHAN
ticket was red with cold, but the small
person lifted to him wonderfully
frank face and conidingly 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 it was, as he thought
of his own well 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 us unlike as two
| persons made on the same general
| principles could be. one was tall, dig
nlfied. young, wrapped in costly furs,
! everything about her showing the per
! son who never lacked money OF 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 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 II soft gray shawl 1t was ut
least two yards long aud half as wide.
Folding 1t together, she touched the
little waif, saying in low tone,
"Stand up. my dear" The child obey
ed wonderlngly. aud this woman in
! the costly furs placed the folded shawl
around the small shoulders, crossed 1t
in front and, bringing the ends to the
back. pinned them securely.
at is yours to keep" she whispered
"a Christmas present" Then. turn
ing TO the woman at her side. she said
apologetically, 81 really did not need
it myself" There was blink Of tears
, In her eyes,
We'll. now" the older woman eS-
claimed in admiration, you Just set
me TO thinkin', I'm really ashamed
! that didn't think of doing something
! myself. Here. I've got two pairs of
,, mlttens for my grandson-just about
her size-in my band bag, aud he can't
wear out more than one pair this win-
ter Besides. ! can knit another. It's
4 nothing at all to knit mittens." She
, was buslly undrawing the strings of an
i enormous silk bng but her glasses were
a blurred, and her fingers were clumsy
Q with haste.
r whats your name. little girlf Ka'
y tie? Well, hold ont your hands. kate
My! Aren't they good dt There's nm
(, other Christmas present 10 keep. Ana
I here's frosted cake. Just eat 1t right
nov. Katie Your grandma won't need
1 1t. with all those you've got In youl
bundle"
: The child again obeyed. She did mo-
! say, "Thank you" Possibly she die
r not know how. but she seemed TO glow
r all over. and her eyes returned thanks
even II her timid lips did not.
I'm proud. TO know you. my dear,
the rolly poly. comfortable woman SAT-
now TO the young lady. for she ha'
been saying to herself all the while
"You're the right sort. can see that
"And am proud TO know you" tn
other responded, almost shyly oferin
her hand. which was quickly buried !
big. warm grasp. I'VE all long TO b
NJ service at Christmas time, 80
know"
At that instant the man OF the over
cont sauntered IN 10 resume his seal
He gave n low whistle Of surprise a
the happy little Traveller next The VIII
dow. glanced at the two women an
comprehended the situation. His rigl
hand made quick dive into his troi
sers pocket rs II 10 get some moneI
In another instant he withdrew It an
reocbed No 10 the rack overhead an
lifted down large paper bundle Ia'
ing the bundle across the aisle TO n
$50 empty seal. he opened II and took OF
smaller package from among man
others. Untyng this package
brought TO light a iaxen haired 40
dressed In the latest style and resplel
dent in large picture hat. This
Dlaced IN tie little sBl,s arms sayin
IRON my little daugTer who wou
rather you shgIua, S6H6n H. Then
! ! ! !
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