Evening star., 1914-12-20

"I live below Tompkins Square. 1t is quite way
yet"
"And YOU always walk home from the church?'
ayes, almost always. have been saving my carfare
for Christmas His cheeks like red apples in the
frosty air; but noticed rather pnched look round
his mouth and my solicitude became more practical
"Have you time to come in with and get bit of
supper? l very hungry, and then we can hurry on
downtown"
"If it wouldn't be long, Sir his eyes snapped.
"What do YOU say to some oysters and beefsteak?
Here eating house." opened the door as spoke
a think ought to be getting home, Sir He shut
fed his feet the threshold, and pulled off his cap
he spoke the call of duty evidently sounding too loud
all at once. pictured the family at home more hungry
than he perhaps; for his coat shiny and shabby
and there were large patches on his shoes.
Its Christmas Eve, Sir, and it's pretty late now
l think I'll have to hurry"
"Then I'll come too: only must take car, l
said with slight lump in my throat. a can't walk
fast as you Are there any children in your family?
If there are, should like to send them few toys
all alone this Christmas and don't like to be left
out of everything"
"N1y!7 he said sympathetcaly, but little impa-
tienty too, if wasting time. "We're not
lonely down at place. There many children
don't know how we're going to fill the stockings.
As motoned him aboard the and we sped along
he began to look less worried and glanced at me with
bright curiosity trying place me- doubt in the
world he knew. "Are you coming all the way?' he
asked with bright, inquisitive smile.
"Yes if you don't mind. l haven't done any Christ
mas shopping yet have been away from New York
for a long trne and I don't know anybody to give
presents now; so thought if you'd let I'd give
YOU a few bundles to carry home-to the children"
Don't know anybody? That funny he CALCULATED
his curiosity still more reused.
His quick glances had taken in my general we-to-do
air. thrown into contrast by the poor people who filled
the little awe at my persistent companonship
seemed to hang him, and l decidedly out of
practice in talking to boy of his age But kept brave
ly on. Then suddenly outgoing passenger lurched
against and knocked my old soft felt hat which had
served me in many travels clean off my head 1t
rolling along the floor and Israfe bent double with
laughter he picked up and handed to believe
laughed then with real amusement for the first time
years. The forced laugh of polite amabity in which
had trained myself not of the kin to this
queer spontaneous sound which to ISRAELI evidently
sounded real He responded with another natural boy
ish giggle and 10, friendship had gone a stride
ahead! In another moment at Tompkns Square.
Il might play Santa Claus, | said we walked
along "Are there any toyshops near?"
had CLEANED from him that his mother i,-he
did not mention his father, and that three little chill
dren waiting for his arrival hang up their stock
ings "I can GO with you after that he explained
@and bring home the things He darted away, and 1
had time to explore the shop before his return.
THE rest Of the evening as busy as l ever
spent. After our mutifarious purchases were
made and had insisted on his sharing the delayed
supper with me- went to the two rooms in the tene
nent As we opened the door 1 saw the mother of the
family, small and fra seated sewing by the lamp. She
raised finger smllngly, to warn us that the children
were asleep in the next room. There was a pile of
"readynade" womens coats beside her, into which she
stitching the Innings And it Christmas Eve!
The boy in a wild mood. He let drop his armful
of bundles at her feet and then fell upon her with an
ecstatic hug.
"Oh, my child" she exclaimed, and then, "Oh Sir