Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-24

cries. Her huSha nd followed and
together they watched the fiutterinc
snowfall and. on the sidewalk below.
group OF children standing In
space nf light.
Mrs. Austen, her face close 10 the
icy pane. shuddered.
Cold. she murmured ALWAYS. In
| sno" and rain. | think of him out,
side, cold. wet
The voice of the little boy came to
them softly. They're cold" he said.
Some of them are hungry a"
1t was Mr.. Austen who asked "Who
are they?"
They came i'm this street 10 look
in the windows at the trees and
t"Ah" IT was Mrs. Austen
There was ii little silence. One Of
In small forms below silled against
one little larger and stood snuggied
there.
haven't We plenty Of cake Mr..
Austen asked. we could give them
---~~"
Mrs. Austen drew a long t,rIih.
We could have them IN the
Kitchen. she suggested. Their wet
feet in here
The little boy spoke again. breath.
lessly.
He'd like them tn see his traa.'
Mrs. Austen smoothed tiny branch
with caress OF thin fingers. Her
Swallowed dark eyes Swent the caudv
bulk. moved tn the little boy. fell be.
fore his wide stare
Yes" she whispered
Mr. Austen shouted: Yes
the door ened and closed. The
child was gone
IN get the cake" said Mrs. Austen.
That box ~ fruit Mr. Austen
Was "a eager as a boy.
They'd like something ho,~-choco
tate. AIRS. Austen suggested.
In minute the children were storm.
l. at the door excited, chattering In
whispers MIR. Austen ooened the
door and they trooped In. sodden,
NFN"n little figures In shawis and mis-
nj coats. Al sight Of the tree they
paused In ave. which | ted The pace
~ three or four long bieaths. Then
the smallest girl with n chirp. dartcd
toward the cleaning cluster of toys
at It's base
thIidi"n"' Mrs. Austen's sharp
repi"of caught them in their forward
rcuriting. and they drew bark
"harh"d and resumed their adoring re-.
| gard "t The tree. Suddenly. without
warning, The smallest girl began 10
/ cry fhislnS u thin Voice In the form
ifFF. ttd." utt"tanra 6f heattbFeak
with sntt az growi. tie largest boy
- mk her gently. then drew from his
pocket three pennies. which he thrust
into her dirt" hand.
"chlldfen"
And now Mrs. AuRien's voice was
| Htied In n Haii She moved at "A IittIa
| run 40 the tree and snatrha-d az one
parcel after another The skai.'s she
put INTO The hands ~ The largest boy
! hid the, ouistfet"hed arms of the
| smallest Elll she Weighted with the
| burden al u itimry. fnt steklug Che
""nt about the b,Ainess In n frenzy.
~ GATOR high IN her checks. her Iip~
iiEht Win taking no breath. aud ~
~" 1ati, when All The gifts were gone,
: she arose, smiling and flushed Hike n
H+tl I" III" ms nf her husband.
May be he'd like this best" snid
| Ar Austen
They ST. ID there little while
hing aud listening The room
VAS th"kcd with i.oise The smHllrsi
| klil rat IN "ornef hnd ate with
starved animal sounds WInppingR
""tT 0ang everywhere. Everybody
talked ~ Tie same tinie. saying the
/ Fnne things "f.onis' Look i.uok"'
'Ghjldff n They were all auiei al
Az Au' tens utling cry Where
Ia The litiin inpH"
What inpr" asked HE laigesi
"Th" little hoy that vas hsre hrsi
the one - hu --'
lie had yellow hait." PA IN Mr
Austen.
Lille u hnio." bleathed MIS- Aus
ten.
The largest boy ionled n~ part,
over
There am 40 such sid " said he
| Not t., his gang
"Hut the hoy "a ms tnid peu 10 come
ui' AIRS aust , persisted
'sDb9ds TOLD ~ Ia cone up We
! ihsi came M saw d.. lghi aud ~~- /
dunno W. just came "
Air and Mrs Austen stared 1T zach
either The children stared ~ them
| T., The I'll ch The lnE ii he care ~.
""~ n"httf came very clear
| silent sight, jioiv AiRhl.
Ijarl ness flies and all IL liaht."
Aitai shat Ia YOU make ~ M"
"h'd NJ Austen
~ nh . Elist ~ Wind The stuainR
an" .Iinte distinct aud tely sweet
'Jnans the @upio j. H. here
TIE ! M
nobtilghi iU?I
Nearly 800 600 pe9ple attended The