The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-12-21
KIDDIE'S CAROL,
by LANCE CORPORAL.

kiddin- satin tina big ainiagr9oFsa4
with Clementina Dinah held listlsssly
In her arms. She had sat there. all
alone. for an hour at least and 1t was
very dull.
Clementina Dinah looked stupid, and
when Kiddie tried to prop her up as
usual against Mummies new satin
cushion. she would fall over, which
did not improve the state of Kiddie's
mind.
CIementinas gown was of acariet
twill; she wore row OF blue beads
round her neck. and bracelet of tho
same beads round each arm. and a
white pinafors completed her Co.'S
tune.
Her eyes were two boot buttons, and
her mouth some rad stitching and
her hair piece of black astrachan,
and she herself was made out OF an
old stocking. At least, that is what
ignorant. ordinary people thought. but
to Kiddie she was a dearest friend
and confdant
''Clementina Dinah." she safd pres
/ entity In a severe tone. "I think you
are really very stupid today Perhaps
! 1t Is on account of eating too many
sweets at the party yesterday. What
do you Think"
Clementina went on smiling in Just
the same red. silky way. SO Kiddis
got angry and shook her.
II don't know what has come 10 you.~
she said when. the punishment over.
CIementina was made to stand up
against the end of the couch. Il don't
know what has come to anything to-
day: indeed, really don't"
Kiddie yawned, stretched herself,
and forsaking the unresponsive doll.
walked across to the window and stood
looking out.
Presently a woman, carrying a baby
In her arms and singing, passed along
the road. Kiddie tried to hear what
she was singing. but she could not
mako out the words. She watched her
till she disappeared, and then tugged
ut the catch of the French window un-
til she forced 1t open. and got out on
the balcony. Then she saw that the
woman had stepped forward to receive
n penny from someone in the next
house.
Riddles check flushed,
II know, / know" she whispered, ex-
cited. Me and Clementina will go out
in the street, and be q beggar woman
and her baby, and sing. and give the
money away We will give II to the
poor little girls who have no dolls, be-
cause at the children's service the gem
tlemau said we ought all to give some
thing TO God on Christmas day that
was all our own. / have nothing of
my own that Munmie would like me
to give away, except dear Clementina,
because they all say she Is ugly. But
could never. never give her away
So III earn some money
Then she seized the doll and hugging
1t very tightly In her arms. told III
how sorry she was for being CROSS i
with Kiddie to think was to act
Almost directly, small figure, closely
covered up in a scarlet granny cloak
and hood, emerged from the front door
Of No. 10, and slipped quietly round
the corner Of the square into the
crowded high road.
"Dinah" she whispered. feeling
rather frightened. for she was not
used to being out alone. Glen. Dinnh.
what shall we singr'
But the doll did not seem able to
give any help. And the tiny figure
stood with bent head amongst the
30 most likely to bring lots OF money
to buy Christmas dolls for the little
girls who had none
Snow began to fall Kiddic drew
the little red cloak over her white
frock, and shook the snowfakes of
her head There's nothing so pretty
Ms Herald Angels Clementina," she
%nAEDRfEu. . anu tHE hpii
tightly in her folded arms for sup
port in the trial of this unaccustomed
Effort she began;
Hark the herald angels sing.
Glory TO the new born King.
Peace on, earth and mercy mild.
God and sinners reconciled.
Kiddie had a very sweet little treble
voice. and she had learnt the carol
perfectly, so that she could sing II to
Mummie on Christmas morning. Many