Evening journal., 1919-02-05


Little Mary danced away in glee and
excited ioy, her big brown eyes spark
Iing with childish happiness. True. her
shoes were s little worn al heel and
toe, her stockings showed many patient
iarnings. and her dress the reflex OF
many visits to the tub. The tempera-
tire OF the room was far from warm,
FOR coal was luxury and had to be
conserved.
But Mary had foreotten all the many
hardships Of their daily life, IN the
happiness of the wonderful Christmas
that her parents, by squeezing every
penny and trying to make It count
double, had been able TO give her.
Three flights up in 8 tenement house,
located in the more thlckly congested
part Of the city, the Davis family-con-
sisting OF John, Kate and little eight
gear-old Mary-managed 20 exc out a
living In two small. stuffy rooms, all
most unbearable during the excessive
heat Of the summer and when the cold
crisp air Of winter swept around the
corners, 50 found many cracks and crew
ices to creep in and chill the inside,
now only meagerly heated with one
burner oil stove, that had a most un-
pleasant habit OF smoking. The dimin-
utive cook stove was used only at
meal-time and on special occasions.
This was one OF them. and a pitiful
little Gre was smoldering In the fire.
box.
Outside the wind shrieked and moaned
like a lost soul trying TO find warmth
and shelter The occasional creak Of
rubber-tired wheels could be heard
crunching the new fallen snow as they
were whlrled on their many different
ways. Christmas mom-three flights
Up.
John. the father, a good, easy-going
sort, who always meant 70 do so much,
bnt, somehow, never got 10 the real
noint OF doing. managed, after a fash
ion. 10 provide for the most economical
and meager existence.
Of late things had been worse than
usnal. His earnings were always small
for he iobbed from one place 10 an
other DOING anything he could do. lie
hsd 40 trade and little Of early educa-
sion. His money had dwlndled TO
pltful, small amount Then Kate. pa
tieni. faiihful, always hoping for the
hest was not strong The "Flu' had
claiIned her early ia is raYages, which
bad swept The country. For days and
nighis John and little Mary sat by her
side. doing what little they could do, |
with The little they had to do with, /
PRAYING God 10 spare her 10 them.
Their prayer had been answered Kate /
vss up and about sgaln Though weak |
SRI much depleted she was making a I
grim fghi for health and strength.
But. with all their poverty. their fight |
TO keep body and soul moving, there |
existed IN this cheerless shabby, little |
home. wonderful tie Of love, and 10y !
atty. Cross words, temper and vain !
regrets never disturbed the peaceful /
atmosphere Of their struggles and ef-
forts.
John and Kate, because OF their
rareful planning for Christmas, oftlmes !
hnd gone without food themselves. |
They, however, managed 10 scrape |
together enough money for q small |
rec several yards OF tlnsel, some |
1aubles, and few little gifts for their
,hild
A doll-an Insignificant little thing
,ut, oh so wonderful TO Mary; a small /
lox Of candy, an orange. a pair Of new,
warm stockings 3 book or two, mostly /
purchased at ten-cent store; and won
ers OF wonders a bright yellow live
anary. In a small cage-a thing that
larry had wanted and dreamed about
ut to possess IL seemed a miracle.
John and Kate sat watching her chill
isb delight, trying hard 20 enter into
Ter spirit OF gladness. There were
miles on their drawn faces and big
jumps OF sorrow In their throats.
On the table, cleanly but poorly
spread, Was their humble breakfast.
Mary brought the little bird from the
tree, placed IL IN a chair near the
table, and knelt beside the tiny cage.
"Oh, you beautiful bird, youl" she
cried, almost hysterically in her Joy.
How did Santa know wanted you so2
Sing, please-singl Does he sing, Dad
dieq-Oh, he does he does
The bird seemed 10, get the reflex OF
Mary's happiness, and burst out into
a CHEEKY song that flled the room with
wonderful music.
The tears came to Mary's eyes. She
impnlsively kissed John and Kate Then,
throwing her thin little arms about
Kate's neck, she sobbingiy murmured /
"G0d bless my dear Daddle and I
Mamma for sll their goodness 10 me; /
Snd. o God bless Mr.. santa Claus for /
a poor little girl with so |
many beautiful things-and God bless 4
ny little birdie and make him sing all |
he time Amen"
This was Christmas Morn - three i
lights up.
MERRY Christmas, darlingl Come,
iolden Locks l-put on your robe and /
ONE downstairs and see what Santa 1
laBs has brought YOU"
Adele opened her big, blue eyes,
swned. closed them again, stretched
IT in her fairy-like bed, opened her
Tes once more and lazily murmured;
rs 1t time to get up. Mother2"
"Yes, darling. Come; there IS such a
surprise In the morning
ON for you. Come, Sweetheart"
All right Mother-Im coming-Did
U say Santa Claus had been here?" .
She stuck one pink little foot into a
lk little slipper.
did you see him? NOT How dis
pointingi ] dreamed he was coming,
ID that / would see him. Why did n
not wait for me To awaken before l.
ieil The'other slipper. Thank you,
loVner. dear-nov, my robe. There, ! n
usss am ready. Oh, I'm so sleepy NJ
~, What time Is 1t Mothera"
nrearly 10 o'clock, Adele" -,
Does everybody eat IN % t., ~
1n.lst'nss .,1,,l morning9~
pa n, ses' great many much eariier
DC careful; deerestl All ready 80 20 NO. m
aNfust ! 80 nolner'-enother vawn-- a. a.
sia nlus' ! go down right awavS oo.,s awnI DC
s'sTp much LONGER, YOU know - eouin
The Codingtons oaeuniss