Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-03

the kindly words must have q kindly
heart to back them, made apologize
| reference to having walked from Vir-
ginia tidewater looking for work.
And that was all there was to II.
except that as one passenger got
out she wondered if, perhaps-tust
perhaps, mind
The man who wanted work and the
man who could give it had been
brought together purposely. And II
it had been intended that little child
should lead them.
x x
IF dear Jennie Wren of Dickens
land could have swung her nimble
crutches to Washington just before
Christmas she would have realized
that a doll dressmaker has small
showing in a town given over to
teddy bears and character kids"
Still. it might have cheered her Vic.
torian heart-had she accepted the
invitation extended to all childhood
to visit the toy kingdom OF q certain
wonder store to find on a glass
topped counter a most sumptuous
bisque bride. decked out In white
satin and tulle. Then again her
cockney morals may have been SO
shattered by a dress hem that re-
vealed silk knees and georgette
bodlce Tree or back and sleeves, as
to have hurried her home to Mr..
1saacs' store roof. where she could
play dead" and be happy. Be that
as 1t may. there are always others
for:
Viewing the bisque beauty with rap
turous eyes. extra big eyes because
Of the gray shadows that come from
not getting quite enough for a little
child TO thrive on. stood a small. thin
legged girl in an outgrown sweater,
thin from washing, and a tam that
used its tassel TO help out with a
hole. And, like Jennie Wren, she
carried crutches-no. just one crutch.
leaving free hand to grasp
smaller child by the shoulder Of a
threadbare blouse, reinforced by
scarf of bright and warmly comfort
ing red. And. as many other little
children wore like gay muffiers, II
must have been a gift from the store.
Some merchant kings are like that.
when their guests are the small peo-
pie who have swarmed TO accept a
Christmas invitation to call.
1t was a beautiful and merry king
dom; with musical toys and wound-up
Jig dancers. and choo-choo cars going
like mad. and tin dervishes whirling
to the jazz of monograph. And to
all this fairylike pandemonium were
ornaments, helped out by rainbow
lights-and best Of every gay thing
something that no store could buy
the unstudied melody Of childish
laughter - giggles. chuckles and ex-
clamation points,
But the small girl. with her one
crutch and baby brother. had only
eyes for Miss Bisque: an ecstatic
vision that took in every move
and pose. as a clerk showed her ad-
vantages to two women who were
considering her purchase.
The woman in the mink coat
seemed uncertain as TO whether the
doll would sus.
Lucille is such a particular child
there's no telling what will please
her-still. she ought to be satisfied
with a gift that cost $40, wouldn't
you think?'
The other woman. who was all vel
vet and fox furs, shook her head with
a grimness that gave testimony to her
knowledge of Lucille:
'Oh, 1t Will do we'll enough-of
course, she will howl because you
didn't include the groom. It's shame
to pamper a child like that when
there are SO many poor children who
would be glad
The mink lady interrupted to make
a correction:
There's where you are wrong!
read 1t in the papers-and. besides, my
husband gave a big donation"
II reckon you are right"
II know I am Besides, l have al
ways considered that the poor make
use of Christmas to work on the gen.
crosby of the rich-I told my husband
that. but you know how men are: He
sent a check, just the same"
well. I'm like he is. 1 believe
there must be some poor children who
have to go without gifts and goodies
at Christmas-and II ] was sure
real sure, you know, that my help was
needed 1 would be glad to assist some
worthy, deserving child"
The other woman paid no attention
to this uplifting remark. She was
too busy counting Northumberland
new owner of Miss Bisque and her
lady friend walked out OF the Incl.
dent.
Whether they saw the Jennie Wren
child Is a something that only one
observer could be sure .of-the One
we call the Great Recorder, who writes
us down in book, but: On the prin-
ciple that actions speak louder than
words, the woman who might posi-
bly, help a poor child, III she was sure
she was worthy" carried her velvet
and fox furs by as if-if-well, as IL
she were one Of those stone gods Of
Israel who have eyes that do not
see.
1t was all right, however: a equity.
looking Santa Claus in red flannel and
a convincing pack came along and
treated the baby brother to a bag of
candy-and when it comes to joy
real JOY, and faith in Father Christ
mas
Monte Christie simply wasn't in 1t
when he called attention to the fact
that:
THE world Is mine"'