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diff --git a/old/53920.txt b/old/53920.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 6385f76..0000000 --- a/old/53920.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1634 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, Kittyboy's Christmas, by Amy Ella Blanchard, -Illustrated by Ida Waugh - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - - -Title: Kittyboy's Christmas - - -Author: Amy Ella Blanchard - - - -Release Date: January 8, 2017 [eBook #53920] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KITTYBOY'S CHRISTMAS*** - - -E-text prepared by Chris Whitehead, Charlene Taylor, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images -generously made available by Internet Archive (https://archive.org) - - - -Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this - file which includes the original illustrations. - See 53920-h.htm or 53920-h.zip: - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/53920/53920-h/53920-h.htm) - or - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/53920/53920-h.zip) - - - Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive. See - https://archive.org/details/kittyboyschristm00blan - - - - - -[Illustration: _A solemn-faced little midget, about six years old, -clasping to her breast a battered doll, stood before them_--Page 31] - - -KITTYBOY'S CHRISTMAS - -by - -AMY E. BLANCHARD - -Author of "Two Girls," "Taking a Stand," -"A Dear Little Girl," etc. - -Illustrated by Ida Waugh - - - - - - - -Philadelphia -George W. Jacobs & Co. -1898 - -Copyright by -George W. Jacobs & Co. -1898 - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER I - - -Kittyboy was lost. It was an evident fact. He stood on the corner of -the alley which led into a wide street to which he had been chased -by an aggressive dog, and with every hair bristling, looked around -for a friendly door, but they were all shut closely; and the snow was -beginning to fall, in an uncertain way, just a flake here and there, -displaying exquisitely perfect crystals on the stone steps and the -brick pavement, then melting away very slowly. - -Kittyboy tucked his four small paws neatly under him, and crouched in a -corner, once in a while giving a plaintive little "meow," which no one -noticed, if any one heard. Yet, after all, Kittyboy's losing of himself -was not such a dreadful thing, for he was always being kicked aside -as a troublesome beast, even before his little mistress, Annie Brady, -was sent away to a Home, being considered by her uncle's family in the -light of a nuisance, quite as great as Kittyboy himself. Nevertheless, -in spite of his rather unpleasant experiences in the world, Kittyboy -was full of a happy confidence in humanity scarcely to be expected. -So, presently seeing a figure coming up the street, he rose from his -compact attitude and ran along by the railing of an area, rubbing his -sides against the narrow bars, and finally followed the figure up the -broad steps; then, as the latch-key was turned in the door, he saw his -opportunity, and slipped in. - -It was rather late; eleven o'clock or more, and getting colder every -minute. The house was very quiet, no one astir anywhere; a light, -however, was burning in one room, where a warm fire blazed in the open -grate, the sight of which so delighted Kittyboy that he began to purr -contentedly. The light, now turned up, showed more distinctly what -manner of person it was whom Kittyboy had followed: an elderly man, -with keen, sharp eyes; he was somewhat portly, was well dressed, and -brisk in his movements. Kittyboy's little black form, snuggled in one -corner, where he sat blinking at the fire, was not noticed by this -other occupant of the room, who, lighting a cigar, sat down by a table, -stretched out his legs comfortably, and unfolded the evening paper. - -Presently, the sharp sound of a coal dropping on the polished hearth -disturbed Kittyboy's nap, and he jumped up, with visions of whips -cracking over his head, and gave a leap away from the fire. The sharp -noise also attracted the attention of the reader, who looked over the -top of his newspaper to see four little furry feet daintily stepping -across the rug. - -"What are you doing here! Get out, cat!" came an exclamation in so much -milder language than that to which Kittyboy was accustomed, that he -considered it in the light of an overture, and springing up on the arm -of the chair, in which this new acquaintance was sitting, he proceeded -to play with the newspaper, patting the two sides, with ears very much -forward, and an alert look on the wise little face, as if in momentary -expectation of seeing a mouse jump out from the folds of the sheet. - -The very audacity of the performance tickled the man's fancy. "You -impudent little beast," he said; "how did you get in here, anyhow? -Aha! I know. I believe I saw you as I came up the steps. You must have -slipped in behind me. But this will never do; you will have to get out -again. No cats allowed in my house." - -For answer, Kittyboy began to rub his head against the arm nearest him, -purring softly. - -The man regarded him less severely. "If I'm going to turn you out, -I may as well give you something to eat. You are none too well fed, -I see," he remarked; and, rising, he took his way to another room, -where, after hunting around, he found in the larder a pitcher of -cream, set away by the housekeeper for her master's morning coffee. -All unconscious of bringing dismay to the worthy woman, Dr. Brewster -emptied the contents of the pitcher in a saucer and set it down, -watching Kittyboy eagerly lap up this unexpected treat. - -"Now you must go," said the doctor; and Kittyboy followed confidently -at his heels. But the draught of icy wind which greeted him as the -front door was opened, caused the little fellow to scamper back to -the library, where, before the open fire, he again sat down and began -complacently to wash his face. - -Back into the room came Dr. Brewster, laughing in spite of himself. -"You are a sly little rascal," he said; "come, come," and he picked -up the unresisting little creature, which cuddled down comfortably in -his arms, as if it were beyond the bounds of possibility that a second -attempt should be made to put him out, and the good doctor actually -began to have compunctions. "I always vowed I'd never have a cat -in the house," he said, under his breath; "am I to give in at this -late day? Well! you audacious little wretch, I'll let you stay till -morning. It's too cold a night to turn any creature out of doors," and -Kittyboy's triumph was complete when he was put down on the hearth-rug -and allowed to continue his ablutions, while the doctor resumed his -paper. - -But it was strange that the presence of a little black cat could turn a -sober man's interest from foreign news and the quotations of the stock -market, and that he should have found himself dwelling on the memory of -two little eager faces which he had seen that day gazing into a window -decked out with Christmas toys, and, furthermore, that twice he should -have read over an item which went as follows: - -"Every year, about Christmas time, a number of letters find their way -to the Post Office; they are variously addressed to Santa Claus, Kris -Kringle, or St. Nicholas, and are the outcome of childish faith. One -is forced to wonder how often they must be followed by disappointment, -since there can appear no claimant for them." - -The doctor, we have said, read the paragraph twice over, and then, -lowering his paper, sat looking thoughtfully into the fire. After -a while a smile broke over his face, and he returned to his sheet. -But the smile did not leave his lips till he extinguished the light -and went to his room, leaving the sleeping Kittyboy curled up on the -hearth-rug in a condition of delicious warmth and comfort. - -When, the next morning, at the sight of buckets and brooms brought -in by the housemaid, Kittyboy scampered out, it was to find refuge -in the dining-room, just as the doctor opened the door to go to his -breakfast. This time Kittyboy was not driven out, for the cheery -waitress said, "It brings good luck, doctor, sorr, to have a cat come -to the house, especially a black cat." And by the time the doctor had -finished, indulgently feeding Kittyboy with bits from his own plate, -and Kittyboy had responded by such antics as kept the doctor laughing, -it was an understood thing that the little cat was fairly adopted into -the family. - -The invasion of a common little street cat into the bachelor's -household quite scandalized the good housekeeper, who could not get it -out of her head that Kittyboy had in some way purloined the cream, but, -said the cheerful Maggie, "It's far too quiet here to suit me, and the -doctor actually ate his breakfast this morning without the paper at his -elbow. I certainly am glad to see some sort of a young creature about -the house." The housekeeper gave a sniff, but even she smiled furtively -a moment later at sight of Kittyboy wildly chasing his tail. - -Buttoning himself up well in his overcoat, the doctor, after breakfast, -took his way down town, and went straight to the city Post Office. He -did not stop as he passed through the long corridor till he reached the -private office of the Postmaster himself. - -"Hello, Brewster, what brings you here so early?" questioned that -worthy, looking up from his desk. "Haven't any complaints to make -about Uncle Sam's mail, have you? Don't be too hard on us if things -aren't just on time. There is a great rush from now till after the -holidays, and you old bachelors are so methodical that, if a letter is -a minute and a quarter late, you think the entire Post Office system -is tottering. Sit down." - -"No," replied the doctor. "I didn't come to complain, Hardy, I came to -see if I could collect the mail for Santa Claus." - -Mr. Hardy put down his pen, and stared at his visitor. "What are you -driving at, anyhow?" he asked. "Oh, I see; some charity Christmas tree, -or something. How much will let me off, doc?" - -The doctor smiled. "I'm not on that errand at all. I simply want to -know if it is possible to have any letters, now lying in this office, -addressed to Santa Claus, delivered to me?" - -Mr. Hardy looked thoughtful for a moment. "Are there any such letters?" -he then asked. - -The doctor felt in his pocket for the last evening's paper, which he -had taken the precaution to carry with him, and silently pointed out -the paragraph he had read the night before. - -Mr. Hardy nodded understandingly. "I don't see why you shouldn't -have them," he replied finally; "I'll get them for you, doc, if it's -possible," and, leaving the office, he presently returned with about -half a dozen letters, which he handed to his friend. "There you are," -he said. "No need to ask what you're going to do with them. It's just -like the things you used to do when we were lads. It takes me back to -the old days when Christmas comes around. Come up and see us, doc; the -latch string is always out," and he turned to his desk, as the doctor -with his budget left the room. - -The latter went directly to his club, and opened the funny, smudgy -little notes. Some of them printed; some sprawled across a wide page, -some very zig-zag and uncertain. - - "_Don't, good Santa Claus, forget our corner_," read one, "_20uth - and Purl street, if you can't git down the chimney cause they are - reggyters come in the window, we'll leave it a little bit open so you - can hist it easy_. - - "BOB." - -"That youngster's all right," nodded the doctor. "I know the locality, -and there's not a doubt but that his stocking will be well-filled." - -The next was printed. - - "_I am a good girl bring me the doll. Fill wants a bow narrow_," - ---but there was no address, and this, too, was laid aside. - -Then came a queer little, half-printed, half-written epistle: - - "DEAR SANTA: _I want a new papa and a new kitten. Conny says kittens - are easy enuff to get, but papas are much harder and very spensive. - but I dont want just any kitten please, cause my dear Jollity was - black and all the kittens this year are grey. if you have any black - ones to spare please bring me one and a papa with a red ribbon around - its neck. dont go to grandpas at Fort wurth where we were last year - cause we aint there now we are at 610 west 12 street._ - - "ELINOR TEMPLE." - -As the doctor read the signature a red flush mounted to his forehead, -and he cast a confused look around him; then he slipped the letter into -his pocket, took two or three turns up and down the room, and returned -to his examination of the rest of the mail. - -The last two letters were pitiful appeals from homes of want and -misery; timid little requests, full of childish faith, which made the -doctor shake his head and blink his eyes, frowning the while. These -letters he also put aside, and then paced the floor in deep thought. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER II - - -It was high noon when he turned toward home. He had forgotten all -about Kittyboy, but when the confident little beastie came rubbing up -against him, purring softly, the doctor smiled, as if a sudden thought -had struck him, and stooping down, he rubbed Kittyboy's head; after -which performance the artful little creature rolled over on his back, -and turned his gold-colored eyes upon the doctor, inviting a frolic; -then up and away he scudded, with arched back and curved tail, the very -embodiment of a witch's familiar. - -"You little imp of darkness!" cried the doctor. "Such capers in the -house of a sober bachelor! You'll be occupying my bedroom next and -calling it your own." A prediction which speedily came true, for that -very night Kittyboy slyly crept up behind the doctor, and, hiding -himself, craftily bided his time, and in the dead of night stole forth -and curled himself up on the foot of the bed, waking the doctor in -the morning by licking his hand with a red, rough, little tongue. -And then followed wild, frantic gambols, dancing and prancing over -everything; coquettings with the tassels of a dressing gown; tussles -with a slipper; mock fears of a very innocent reflection in the glass; -delicate tip-toeings about the dressing table, with attempts to pry -into every box and drawer; then one leap into the air and a waltzing -after a little black tail whose existence Kittyboy seemed only that -moment to have discovered. All this so entertained the doctor, that he -lay in bed shaking with laughter at the absurd antics, and went down to -breakfast with Kittyboy on his shoulder. - -After this it was evident that Kittyboy considered the second-story -front bedroom as his own. To be sure he generously allowed Dr. Brewster -to share it, to occupy the bed, if he were not in the middle of it; -or the doctor might sit in any comfortable chair for which Kittyboy -had no immediate use; but the lordly little creature took possession -so absolutely that the doctor's sense of humor was greatly tickled by -this overweening complacency and confidence, and he meekly took another -chair when Kittyboy occupied the better one, or, indeed, moved over to -the right side of the bed if Kittyboy preferred the left. - -It was the evening of the day which had seen the doctor at the Post -Office. It seemed to him that it had been many more than twenty-four -hours since the sly little cat had followed him indoors, and had -ingratiated himself into the good man's favor. Already the doctor was -making a confidant of this same little waif. - -"What would you do about it, you little limb of Satan?" he asked, as he -opened the letter he had so carefully put aside that morning. "Come, -you shall decide. Let us see what sort of oracle you can make. You -started this, anyhow, as I remember. Now get me out of it, if you can." - -Kittyboy winked soberly, as the doctor thus addressed him, but looked -very wise, as if he knew much more than he proposed to tell. - -The doctor softly stroked the black fur, which was less rough than -it had been the day before. "Shall I go or not?" he asked. "You can -advise, and then, like others in the same position, I'll do as I -choose. Here is the letter." He shook it at the little creature, who -grabbed it in both paws, rolled over with it once or twice, then taking -it in his mouth he jumped down from the table and walked off with his -prize to the chair where a soft felt hat of the doctor's was lying. -Into this jumped Kittyboy, letter and all, and, curling himself up, -looked with a knowing wink at the man who was watching him. - -"Nothing could be plainer," laughed the doctor. "Go is the word. Pick -up your hat and its contents, you say. Here we are, take us and go. -Such wisdom! For real out and out witchcraft, commend me to a black -cat. Ah, Kittyboy, it is well you did not live in the time of those -old fellows, my ancestors, Wrastling Brewster and Preserved Fish, and -the rest, or we'd both be strung up for practicing the black arts, -although such names as they had were enough to choke them without -hanging. - -"Well, my small wizard, go it is, since your suggestion suits my -inclination; who knows? who knows?" He sat absently stroking the little -cat, who had returned to the table, and it was evident that something -had given him food for deep, and not altogether unpleasant, reflection, -for the evening paper lay untouched, and the open fire seemed to hold -the man's fixed attention. Was it Kittyboy's sorceries that caused -past events to rise as flames from ashes, to add a new warmth to a -half-chilled memory? - -[Illustration: "_Into this jumped Kittyboy_"--Page 26] - -The next morning it was that Dr. Brewster turned his steps toward a -quiet street in a modest quarter of the city. An open square gave a -pleasant, airy appearance to the neighborhood. The sun was shining -brightly, but the air was frosty, and the doctor stepped along briskly. -His footsteps did not falter until he reached the house, 610 West -Twelfth Street, and then for a moment he paused, taking off his hat and -wiping his brow as if it were a warm day. Immediately after, however, -he mounted the steps with a firm step and gave the bell a vigorous -pull. It was answered by a neat maid, who paused expectantly for the -card, which the doctor did not produce. "Tell Mrs. Temple a friend -wishes to see her," was his message. - -He was ushered into a small room, which was warm and cosy. A fire -glowed in a Baltimore heater. There were pretty, tasteful articles -scattered about, which gave the room a cheerful, homelike look. The -doctor picked up a book from the table, put it down again, nervously -took two or three turns up and down the floor, and finally stationed -himself, with his hands behind him, at one of the windows, fixing his -eyes upon the street. - -Presently some one entered, and a soft voice said, "You wished to see -me?" - -The doctor turned abruptly, and held out his hand to the tall, fair -woman who stood before him. "Elinor," he said,--the color mounted to -the lady's cheek,--"Dr. Brewster," she faltered. "How--where did you -learn of me?" - -"At the club," replied the doctor, gravely and truthfully. - -"It is truly good to see an old friend," continued Mrs. Temple. "You -know--you have heard." - -"I know nothing but that you are here," answered the doctor. - -"My husband died two years ago," went on Mrs. Temple. "He was very good -to me, and he idolized our little daughter." Her eyes dropped before -the doctor's earnest gaze, but they had already told that which the -doctor had for so many years longed to know, whether in marrying big, -wealthy, dissipated Captain Temple, Elinor Arsquith had pleased merely -herself, or whether to spare her father's good name she had sacrificed -her girlhood. - -He drew in his breath quickly, and for a moment no word was spoken -between them. - -"And your little girl?" asked the doctor, breaking the silence. - -"She is with me here. I lost two little ones in Texas, and Elinor is -all I have left. I felt that for her sake I must seek a different -climate, and that is why I am here." - -At that moment the curtains before the door parted, and a small figure -appeared. A solemn-faced little midget, about six years old, clasping -to her breast a battered doll, stood before them. - -"Come in, dear, and speak to the doctor," Mrs. Temple said, glad of an -interruption to a conversation which was becoming embarrassing. - -The little one advanced slowly, till she stood by the doctor's side. -"Must I put out my tongue?" she asked. - -The doctor smiled. "No, I think I wouldn't. It's pretty cold for even a -tongue to be out to-day." - -The child laughed merrily. "I wanted to go and buy mamma a little bunch -of vi'lets, but she said I would freeze my nose off, and I wouldn't -be pretty without any nose, would I?" Then, glancing down at her -dilapidated, noseless doll, she looked a little abashed. "Excuse me, -Lily," she said gravely; "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I love -you just as much as if you had as big a nose as the doctor's. I didn't -have any money in my bank, anyhow," she continued, "and mamma could not -spare any five centses. You know we aren't rich any more. I 'spect the -flowers are frozen up, anyway." - -"I'll get the violets for you," said the doctor, without looking at -Mrs. Temple. "I know a nice, warm place where they live, and if you'll -trust me I think I can find some fresh, sweet ones." - -Elinor clasped her hands. "You're very nice," she assured him. "And if -you won't give me any nasty medicine, I'll love you very much." - -"I promise no nasty medicine," agreed the doctor, and their friendship -was sealed. So well did it proceed that when the doctor took his leave, -an hour later, Elinor hugged him frantically, saying, "Doctor, come -to-morrow. I get so lonely, and so does mamma. I wish you'd come every -day," and the doctor's smile answered the suggestion. - -"Mamma," said the child, after the doctor had left them, "is that a -very nice man?" - -"Why, darling; yes--of course--yes--he is very nice." - -"I fought so," she returned confidently. "Is he very 'spensive?" - -"Oh, you mean--wealthy. I think so, enough so, at all events. What -funny questions. Why do you want to know?" - -"Just 'cause I like to ask funny questions. Mamma, do you like bread?" - -"Why, you midget, you are just asking questions to tease your mudder. -You know I like bread." - -Elinor laughed gleefully, and looked down at her doll. "Lily told me a -secret to-day," she said, "and she won't let me tell till Christmas. -It's a very nice one, but I can't tell you, mamma." - -"Very well. I will wait till Christmas." - -"Don't you want to know it?" the child asked, anxiously. - -"Not if you don't want to tell it." - -"But I do, only Lily won't let me. Mamma, this morning I was a kitten." - -"You were? I didn't discover it." - -"I was. I had a red ribbon round my neck, and I was black, and Lily was -Elinor Temple, and she played with me. See where I scratched her. Do -you want me to be a kitten for you, mamma?" - -"Not if you scratch, nor if you have to turn black." - -That amused Elinor greatly. - -"I doesn't have to. I've just make-believe claws. Mamma, are you going -to take me to church on Christmas?" - -"Why, of course. Don't you want to go?" - -"I didn't last Sunday; it was so long. The man in the white gown said -so much. I fink he was a chatterbox." - -"Why, Elinor! what a thing to say about the good rector." - -"Well, mamma, it is what you say about me when I talk a long time, and -you love me." - -Mrs. Temple smiled. "Then you don't want to go to church on Christmas?" - -"Oh, but I do; I like to hear the little boys sing, and I like to see -the green things, but----" - -"You get tired sitting so long?" - -"Oh, no, mamma; I couldn't get tired; I get too much rested." - -"I see. Well, dearie, we will go to the early service, which is not so -long." - -"And then come home and have the Santa Claus part of it for dessert; -that will be nice. I wish the doctor would come soon; I want to ask him -somefing." - -The doctor did come soon. Indeed, there was scarcely a day after this -which did not see his stalwart form turning into the quiet street, and -the affection between the grave man and the pretty child grew apace, so -that many confidences passed between them. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER III - - -One afternoon the two were cosily occupying one big chair, in the -absence of Mrs. Temple, who was glad to leave her treasure so well -satisfied to stay at home, while she attended to some Christmas -shopping. - -"Let's talk about Christmas," said Elinor, cuddling down by the side of -the doctor, after watching her mother out of sight. - -"Isn't there a Santa Claus?" she asked. - -"So I have always been told." - -"There, I said so; Bill says there isn't." - -"And who is Bill?" - -"Oh, a friend of mine," returned Elinor, jauntily. - -"I should like to know something about him." - -"Oh, he's just a boy with----" she clapped her hands over her mouth, -and looked, with eyes full of laughter, at the doctor. - -"What?" - -"Oh, doctor, it isn't nice to make remarks about the dress of your -friends," returned the little monkey, drawing down her mouth demurely, -and looking up mischievously from under her long lashes. - -"Then suppose we don't mention his dress. Tell me something else about -him." - -"He has a very dirty face," said Elinor, with a little chuckle. - -"He has? That is unfortunate. Why doesn't he wash it?" - -"I reckon 'cause he hasn't any soap or towels." - -"But he can get water easily." - -"Yes; but, doctor, don't you know how horrid it is to have your face -washed, and to stand with it all dripping, 'specially in cold weather? -and if you had no towel, you know, you wouldn't want to wash your face, -either." - -"Perhaps not. Well, Bill is a boy with a dirty face. Is that all? Has -he nothing else to boast of?" - -"Yes; he has a sister named Gerty. I s'pose she has a dirty face, too. -I never saw her, 'cause she's got the rickets, and her grandfather has -had yaller janders; but they is about gone. I think they must be rather -pretty, don't you?" - -"What?" - -"Why, the yaller janders. It sounds like some sort of a flower, I -always fink of--what are the yellow fings that come in the spring--the -early ones?" - -"Daffodils?" - -Elinor shook her head. "Not zactly; mamma said they were about the -same." - -"Oh, jonquils." - -"Yes, that's it; are they anything alike?" - -"Like what? Daffodils?" - -"No; like yaller janders. Are yaller jonquils anything like them?" - -"No. I can't say that they are." - -"Have you any at your house?" - -The doctor laughed--"Fortunately, no, I know of none nearer than a -hospital." - -"Oh, do they grow in hospitals?" - -"Sometimes." - -"Will you take me there and show them to me?" - -"I don't believe you would be particularly pleased to see anyone with -what Bill calls 'yaller janders.'" - -"Why not?" - -"Because it is not a very pleasant disease to gaze upon." - -"Is it a sickness? Oh, I'm so disypointed. I fought they were flowers, -and I was so glad the old grandfather had them. That's a dreffel -disypointment," she added, after a moment's silence. - -"But you have not told me about Bill," the doctor reminded her. "Where -did you meet him--at a party?" - -"No-o," contemptuously. "I met him in the square. He sells vi'lets. I -reckon that's why I fought his grandfather had flowers--yaller jander -flowers.--Is bronicles flowers?" - -"I never heard of them." - -"Oh, dear, I s'pect that's another disease. You see it fooled me to -see Bill selling vi'lets. I kind of fought he had a big garden full, -or his grandfather had. He said his grandfather used to go out selling -flowers till sumfing got the matter with his bronicles, and they -couldn't stand the east wind." - -The doctor laughed so heartily that Elinor looked quite aggrieved. - -"I'll not tell you any more," she said, "if you make fun of me, and I -was going to tell you lots." - -"Oh, please pardon my laughter. I'll try not to be so silly again. You -see, I sometimes laugh at nothing at all. It is a habit I have formed -from living alone." - -Elinor looked at him very soberly. She wasn't quite sure whether this -was earnest or not, but his being alone seemed a sufficient excuse, -and, moreover, appealed to her sympathies, so she took hold of one of -her friend's big fingers, and held it confidingly. - -"Tell me truly," she said, "do you believe in Santa Claus?" - -"Most certainly. I think he is the greatest invention of any age." - -"Oh, good! That sounds so certain sure. That's what Connie says. I -didn't make it up. I did make up sumfing once." - -"You did? What was it?" - -"A----I don't know what to call it. I'll tell you, and then you'll -know." She nestled her golden head against the doctor's shoulder, and -looked up in his face. "I was jumping in the cellar one day with Ida -Miller, and I made a tree-men-jus jump, and I said, 'Oh, Ida, I made a -jump right smite the javelin.' Don't you fink that's fine? I have said -it over lots of times, 'cause I like the way it sounds, somefing like -the Bible, you know." - -"I think it is one of the most grandiloquent phrases I ever heard. You -do not know how I admire it." - -"Do you, really?" - -"Yes, really." - -"Then, I'm glad I told you. Now, I'll tell you somefing else. It's a -secret, but Lily said I might tell you. She won't let me tell mamma. -It's about Bill. Do you want to hear it?" - -"Very much." - -"And you won't tell?" - -"No." - -"Cross your heart?" - -"Yes; cross my heart." - -"Then, it is this: Bill said he didn't believe there wa'n't no Santa -Claus. He said it just that way." She stopped and looked searchingly at -the doctor, but he was listening attentively. - -She gave her little mirthful chuckle and went on. "Then I said, 'if -you write to him, and he brings you what you ask, I reckon you'll -believe in him,' and he said he'd be a blamed fool to do such a fing. -He said blamed fool----" - -"All right, he said blamed fool." - -Elinor buried her head in the doctor's sleeve and laughed silently. -Then she looked up with eyes still full of mirth. "That was so funny," -she said. - -"What was?" - -"To hear you say blamed fool. Did you ever say it before?" - -"Perhaps." - -"Don't you like to say it? I do. I go off in the corner and say it to -Lily sometimes, just 'cause I like to hear myself. Do you do that?" - -"Go off by myself and say it to Lily? I haven't any Lily." - -"No, of course, but you might say it just the same to a chair--or--or -anyfing. Mamma says it's not nice for a lady to say it, and that's why -I'm doing it all I can now, 'cause I'll be a lady some day, and then I -can't. There are lots of fings that way. Anyhow, Bill said it, and I -told him he was an aggynorstic. That sounds like a dreadful word, but -it isn't, for I heard mamma call somebody that, and I asked her what it -meant, and she said it meant a person that doesn't believe. I fought -it would scare Bill, for I fink it has a scary sound, like the day of -wrath." - -The doctor turned away his head, and, taking out his handkerchief, -buried his face in it, a violent fit of coughing seeming to overtake -him. - -Elinor looked quite alarmed, but the doctor assured her it was only -a small matter, and though very red in the face, he resumed a grave -demeanor and asked Elinor to continue her tale. - -[Illustration: "'_The Doctor turned away his head, and taking out his -handkerchief, buried his face in it_"--Page 46] - -"Well," she went on, "'then Bill,' I said, 'you're an aggynorstic,' -and he stared at me so hard. 'I don't like aggynorstics,' I said, and -he said 'what'll I do about it?' And I said, 'you write to Santa Claus -just like'----Oh, my! I was just going to tell such a precious secret. -I won't, though----Anyhow, I made him promise he'd write to Santa Claus -if I'd buy vi'lets whenever I had any money in my bank. And he did -write, and now I reckon he'll find out. He's real e'cited over it." - -"And where does he live?" - -"Oh, back in a little street that runs skwy-eyed, Connie says, across -this. It's a horrid little street, and mamma won't let me go there, but -I know where it is." - -"And where does Bill sell his violets?" - -"In the square, by the fountain. He has beautiful red hair and the -loveliest freckles you ever saw. I wish I had freckles and red hair; -don't you?" - -"I can't say that I do desire them greatly, and I'm sure I like you -much better as you are." - -"Do you? Well, maybe you do, but I don't. Do you fink Santa Claus got -Bill's letter? I hope he did, for it seems dreadful for anyone to have -no Santa Claus and no Christmas; it makes me feel sorry inside, as if I -had eaten too many cakes. Do you fink he got it?" - -"That depends upon where he mailed it." - -"Why, in the post-office box, of course. The one on the corner, by the -square, that says U. S. mail on it. What makes them turn it hind part -before? Why don't they say mail us? It means the letters you put in, -of course. It's so the man with the funny little wagon will know." - -The doctor frowned; then he laughed. It was such a funny translation of -the U. S. mail. But just such fantastic ideas he knew took possession -of the child. "That's all right," he said. "Uncle Sam does put things -wrong-end-foremost sometimes. You tell Bill that if he put his letter -in the box there's not the slightest doubt but that it will be -answered." - -"I saw him put it in. He showed it to me, and I went with him to mail -it. He can write pretty well, for he went to school before that time; -about--about the bronicles, you know." - -The doctor nodded understandingly. - -"Do you believe Santa Claus will have enough turkeys to go around? -Mamma says, if he hasn't, I may send Bill and Gerty some of mine. I'm -going to try to eat a very little piece, but I like turkey, and I hope -Bill and Gerty will have a whole one to themselves, and I hope Gerty -will get a doll, and if she doesn't, I'll have to send her the one -Santa Claus brings me." - -"Why would you have to?" - -"Why, 'cause I wouldn't be such a piggy-wiggy as to keep two, and she -not have any. It wouldn't be nice of me, when I have Lily. Could you -have lots of fings when you knew somebody else didn't have any?" - -This was a home thrust, made so truthfully and innocently that the -doctor wondered why all these years' Christmastide had not brought home -to him such a reproach. He had eaten, drunken, been comfortable and -care free, while just such opportunities had been waiting for him as -this year offered. - -"Well," he said, as he took his departure, "it's all right about Santa -Claus, you tell Bill." - -"And you won't tell anyone," whispered Elinor. - -He assured her that the secret was safe, and went off with a very warm -feeling inside. There seemed to be an expansiveness of light in the -setting sun; a brightness about existence in general, which even cases -of "yaller janders" and weak "bronicles" could not overshadow. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER IV - - -"I must look after that family," mused the doctor. "Bless the young -things! a frolicsome kitten and a little earnest child, full of faith -and love of human kind, can be wonderful factors in the matter of -happiness. Strange how I have gone along missing both and not knowing -what I missed. Let me see. I'll send Hooper to look after grandfather's -'bronicles;' he smiled broadly at the remembrance of the garbled word. -I'd rather not have the little one know that I've a hand in it, and -'twill be good for Hooper to try his hand at that sort of thing. Let -me see if that youngster's letter reached its proper destination." He -stopped and pulled out the packet he carried. - -Yes, there it was, signed "Bill." The doctor stood and read the poor -smudgy, mis-spelled little missive over, put it back in his pocket, and -walked thoughtfully on, not knowing that at that very moment he was -passing the writer, who, with his meagre supply of wan-looking violets, -was offering them for sale. - -Bill as little knew that the letter over which he had spent much -thought and hard labor was resting in the doctor's pocket, for -he imagined it to be in the hands of a red-nosed, white-haired -individual, with a jolly countenance and a twinkling eye--such a one -as could be seen, more or less realistically represented in shop -windows. A very different looking person, indeed, from this portly, -prosperous-appearing man with the keen eyes, who wore "swagger -clothes, and didn't care nothin' fer poor cusses, or he'd 'a bought -somethin' from a feller." Bill's ire was roused by this kind of person, -so indifferent and absent-minded, as never even to glance at the -violets, nor give a regretful negative, as some nice ladies did. - -"Talk about old Santa Claus," muttered Bill, "if he is anybody at all, -he ain't friends to nobody but rich folks; that's what I say. I ain't -never heard from him, an' I guess I ain't never goin' to, what's more." - -But, as if to chide his lack of faith, Elinor herself appeared like a -reproving angel at his side. "Bill," she said, standing on tip-toe that -she might see the box-cover in which the violets lay, "Bill, have you -sold lots to-day?" - -"No, I ain't," he answered, rather crossly. - -"Oh, then, I can spend all these five centses. The doctor picked them -all out of his pocket for me, and told me to buy vi'lets for mamma. So, -I have to. Ten five centses, see. I told mamma I would come right back. -She is watching out of the window for me." - -Bill's face took on a little sunshine. Ten bunches! Why, it would -nearly clean out his stock. What luck! - -"Say," he said, in a low voice, "'bout that Santa Claus, you know. -Time's gittin' clost." - -"Yes," said Elinor, eagerly holding out her hands to receive the -violets. - -"I don't believe he comes to poor folks," continued Bill; "mind, I -don't say there ain't no Santa Claus; but I say he ain't no friend o' -folks what lives in Hitchen's court." - -"Oh, but he is. Dr. Brewster says so, and he knows everyfing--he -does truly--and he told me to tell you that there was a Santa Claus, -really, really." Bill stared at the ground. "And he said if you put -your letter in the box, Santa Claus will surely get it there, and you -will get an answer. So, now," and she walked off with a little switch -of her skirts, and a decided sort of air, as she would say there was no -further doubt possible. - -Bill looked after her. Ten bunches of violets meant a corresponding -amount of faith, and an hour later an empty box lid went home with him. -But the very fact of the emptiness of the box cover meant a fullness -of belief. And Gerty; poor little, rickety Gerty, also received a prop -to her faltering hopes in Bill's words. "They are a Sandy Claus, Gert, -sure as shootin'! A big bug what I knows about says so. Ain't you -glad?" - -"Are you goin' to believe in him?" asked Gerty, in an excited whisper. - -"Yes, I am," sturdily returned Bill. - -"So'm I, then," answered Gerty. "I'm goin' to believe he'll bring me a -doll, and a--a orange, and a--a new frock, and a--a picture book and -candy, and--" her whisper rose shrilly as she became more ambitious, -"and a--a turkey!" The climax was reached. - -"Sho!" said Bill, doubtfully, "I don't believe he'll do all that." - -"What's the use of believing at all if you don't believe he can do -every bit?" returned Gerty, who did not regard half measures with -favor. "I'm goin' to believe I'll git it all--and more," she added, -with an extra touch of defiance of fate. - -Bill looked at her half-admiringly. Such temerity was beyond his mental -stature, although, given a proper field for physical valor, and he'd -show no white feather, as various urchins in the neighborhood could -testify. - -"How long is it before Christmas?" asked Gerty. "Three days, ain't it?" - -"'Bout that. Say, Gert, we ain't ast fur nothin' fur grandpop in that -letter." - -"Why, yes, we did. We ast fur a doctor to cure his bronicles. Don't you -know?" - -"So we did. How is he?" - -"I don't know, he's kinder yaller yit, an' he can't eat much." - -A sharp rap at the door interrupted them, and a smiling young man -entered to to their "Come in." - -"Is this--Bill?" he asked. - -The boy nodded. - -"Your grandfather, he's ill?" - -"Hm-hm," returned Bill, looking suspiciously at the visitor's careful -attire. - -"Ah, yes." The young man put up an eye-glass and peered around the -dingy rooms, Bill meantime eying him, as much as to say, what business -is it of yours how we look? - -"Could I see him?" queried the young man. - -"I dunno. See here. What d'yer want? I'll pay yer rent. Yer needn't go -badgerin' gran'pop about it." - -The young man stared. "Bless me, my son. I don't want any rent. I'm," -he smiled, and whimsically took out his card case. "Pardon me for not -properly introducing myself. I am Dr. Hooper, and I have been asked to -call professionally on your grandfather by a friend of his." - -"Whew!" Bill gave voice to a low whistle, and glanced at Gerty, who had -taken the card with a funny little air of polite acceptance, and, at a -word from her brother, led the way into a hole of a room, hardly more -than a closet, where an old man lay. - -The doctor remained about fifteen or twenty minutes, and when he again -came into the presence of the boy and his sister, he said: - -"I think your grandfather will be better under my immediate care, and -I will see that he is removed--if--if you don't object--to a pleasant -room in a pleasant place." - -"An 'orspital?" queried Gerty. - -The young man nodded. - -"Say, look here, he ain't goin' to no 'orspital," objected Bill. - -"He is, too," retorted Gerty; then turning to the doctor, "You can take -him." She gave the permission grandly. "I know all about it and Bill -don't. I've seen one." - -"My son," said the doctor, addressing Bill, "your sister is a person of -unusual acumen. She--she knows a good thing when she sees it. I give -you my word that the friend of whom I spoke thoroughly approves of your -grandfather's removal." - -"And can't we see him?" asked Bill, looking very dubious. - -"Bless you, yes, every day, if you want to." - -"And will you bring him back for Christmas?" asked Bill again. - -The doctor considered. "If it is possible. At least, I can promise you -shall eat your Christmas dinner together." - -The two children exchanged glances. The answer implied that there was -to be a Christmas dinner. - -"I will come to-morrow morning in my carriage for him," added the -doctor. "That is, if I may." - -"Yer hear that, Gert? A kerridge. Ain't we swagger?" and Bill laughed. - -He followed the young doctor to the door, and shut it after him as -he went outside. Plucking him by the sleeve, he asked in a low tone, -"Mister doctor, that there friend what sent you. Say, honest now, tell -a fellow square. Was it old Sandy Claus?" - -The doctor hesitated, looked down at the earnest, ugly little face, -lighted up by a strong hope, its dirt and unhealthy color but dimly -descried in the flaring light of the dingy court, and he felt a new -concern for this "gutter-snipe" with whom he had suddenly come in -contact. He laughed softly and said, "Yes; you're about right. Call him -Santa Claus." - -Bill went in and shut the door very solemnly. Things were happening -mysteriously, and he felt somewhat awed at what his experiences -implied. - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER V - - -Dr. Brewster received a call from his young assistant that same -evening. He entered with a bored, blase air into the doctor's study, -and stood staring, and, slapping his gloves together as if he had not -one single idea in his noddle. Then he spoke. - -"The old fellow--in Hitchen's Court, you know--beastly dirty hole, -by the way--he needs looking after, wants a sunny room and good -nourishment, and all that sort of thing. He'll get worse if he stays -there. I'm going to take him to our hospital, if you don't mind." - -"Take him?" the doctor chuckled. - -The young man flushed, "Yes. Bah Jove! I can't see an old fellow like -that, don't you know, dying for want of a little attention. Now, -doctor, I'm no charity fiend, but--I say, what are you chuckling about?" - -"At your past record in the matter of pet charities, and your open -expressions regarding those who have them. Go on, Sig, my dear fellow. -You said you'd take him." - -The young man flung off his overcoat, displaying his evening dress and -the flower in his button-hole. "Yes, I said _take_ him--in my carriage -to-morrow morning." He looked up, as if expecting protest. - -"Bless you, man, I don't object if you don't," returned the older -man. "He's an old fraud, doubtless, has no 'bronicles' to speak of, -and wouldn't know 'yaller janders' from scarlet fever. Where do you -purpose placing him?" - -"In the pay ward," said the young doctor, defiantly. - -Dr. Brewster threw back his head and laughed. - -"But, I say, doctor," continued the other, "you ought to see him, such -a pitiful-looking, white-haired, old chap, with those kids on his hands -for years. I say, he's been handicapped, you know. And--Bah Jove! -doctor, what did you send me there for?" - -"To see how you liked Hitchen's Court." - -The young man passed over the reply. "I say it's a beastly shame," he -went on. "That old chap is a better fellow than I am any day, I say, -there's something wrong." - -"Desperately so, I grant you--with us." - -The young man looked up quickly. "It's beastly," he repeated. - -"Sig, you're a huge joke," laughed the doctor. "Go 'long with you and -your paupers. By the way, what about the children?" - -The young man smiled broadly. "They are a pair. I believe that poor -little wretch of a red-headed snipe supports the family. Ah, doctor, I -say we're nowhere with my Lord William. Such airs; bluffed me off at -first." - -He sat on the arm of the chair, swinging one foot thoughtfully. -Dr. Brewster looked at him. Young, good-looking, rich; what the -public called "a howling swell;" a dilettante in his profession, yet -possessing ability, if but the proper motive stirred his impulses. -He had been wont to maintain that half the world's poor were whining -impostors, and the other half incorrigible reprobates. - -The elder man watched him with a half smile. "You'll take the old man, -then, and I'll see to the young ones," he remarked after a time. - -Sigourney Hooper slipped on his overcoat again. "By the way," he said, -"they think Santa Claus sent me," and he gave a grin of amusement. - -Dr. Brewster looked grave. "Who is Santa Claus, anyhow?" he returned. -"The embodiment of goodness, charity and kindly feeling." - -"They were right, then," replied Sigourney, holding out his hand. -"We'll have to give them a Christmas, doctor, for I promised not to -keep grandfather from the bosom of his family on that festal day. Holy -Moses! Festivities in that hole! Ugh!" - -Dr. Brewster sat smiling to himself long after his visitor had -departed. A wheel within a wheel, the ripples caused by the dropping -of the smallest of pebbles; the movings toward a broad humanity set -astir by the prattle of a child; by the instinctive appeal for warmth -and protection made by a little hunted animal; the breath of the spirit -on the face of the waters! He pondered over these mysterious forces, -while Kittyboy purred contentedly at his elbow. - -Kittyboy fared well these days. He never failed to station himself by -the doctor's chair at meal time, and was so indulged in the matter of -tid-bits that his coat grew as sleek as satin; and if he had not been -of such a very volatile temperament, it is quite likely that he would -have become fat and lazy. - -The housekeeper confided to Maggie that something had made the doctor -grow ten years younger, and the housemaid immediately attributed the -fact to the presence of Kittyboy. Certain it is that the doctor busied -himself with many things to which he had heretofore seemed indifferent, -and his sober establishment underwent all sorts of changes. "All on -account of the cat," said Maggie. - -A well-to-do physician who has retained just enough practice to keep -him contented is rather an enviable individual, and Dr. Brewster -looked the picture of genial content as he stepped into his carriage -on Christmas Eve. Just where he went was best known to his coachman, -who had long ago learned the value of keeping his own counsel. But the -faith in Santa Claus which that evening justified was felt in more -than one wretched dwelling. Especially did two anxious little souls, -who had staked their last hope on the letter they had sent, feel that -their mustard seed of belief had indeed grown to gigantic size when -hampers and bundles from Santa Claus were displayed to their glad and -astonished eyes. - -"Oh, Bill, I said I believed he'd bring all I wanted, and more," cried -Gerty, laughing and crying at the same time. "And he did, he did. And -grandpop's gone to stay in that grand room and get well, and I'm goin' -to get well, and we've a whole turkey and fixins, Bill, fixins. I never -said nothin' about them. And gran'pop 'll be here an' help us eat it. -An', oh, Bill. They are a Sandy Claus, they are, ain't they?" - -"Well, I should smile," replied Bill, surveying the bountiful supplies -before him. - -"An' you'll tell that little gal first thing, won't you?" said Gerty. - -"Won't I!" returned Bill, too happy for more speech. - -The doctor paced the floor a long time that night. He thought of many -things; of the dreary dwellings he had that day seen; of the sorrowing -poor; of the little it had taken to make a few hearts glad, and most of -all he thought of little Elinor Temple and her mother. He remembered a -Christmas Eve which had promised him a great joy, but which had brought -him a great sorrow--the sorrow which he had kept locked in his heart -for fifteen long years. Not once had he faltered in his faith in the -girl who had turned from the young physician, just starting on his -career, and had married rollicking Captain Temple. Dr. Brewster smiled -sadly as he remembered how Mrs. Temple had said but the day before: -"We sometimes make errors of judgment, but if we err from a mistaken -motive of unselfishness, we suffer just the same." And that had told -the whole story. It was the only justification she had ever attempted, -the only reference to what he knew she must have endured; but he -had inadvertently heard many things during these past weeks. He had -re-read, with fresh delight, an old chapter in his life. He had opened -his heart to the love of an innocent child, and the door being open, -what else fair and beautiful might not find admittance. - -There was a rare exultation in the doctor's smile, as the bells rang in -the midnight hour, and declared the promise of peace and good will. - -On Christmas morning around Kittyboy's neck was fastened, by the -doctor's own hand, a bright red ribbon. Then he was placed in a basket -and deposited upon the cushions of the doctor's carriage. - -With the basket in his hand, Dr. Brewster entered Mrs. Temple's cozy -sitting-room, where a hearty welcome awaited him. - -"Elinor has such a host of pretty things," said the child's mother, -"and yet she seems a little disappointed. She tells me there are two -gifts she specially wanted, which Santa Claus did not bring her, but -she will not tell me what they are." - -"I think I know," returned the doctor, smiling. "Come here, Dot, Santa -Claus asked me to bring your gifts to you, because he could not trust -any one else, and he knew I'd take better care of them than some -others." - -Elinor looked at him gravely from under her long lashes, and watched -eagerly while he uncovered the basket, from out of which jumped a sleek -black little kitten, which stretched himself comfortably, looking up -with friendly eyes at the doctor. - -"Oh, mine own Jollity!" cried Elinor. "Oh, mamma, see! Oh, isn't Santa -Claus good?" and she clasped Kittyboy rapturously in her arms. "And -the other present," she said, laughing, "you couldn't bring that in a -basket." - -"It is here, if mamma will let you keep it," and the doctor took the -child on his knee, hiding his face in her curly locks. "Tell mamma what -it is," he whispered. - -"Oh, mamma," cried the child, "I wrote to Santa Claus and asked him for -a new kitty and a new papa. That was the secret Lily and I had." For a -moment she looked puzzled, and then a light broke over her face, while -she let the kitten go, and clasped the doctor's neck closer, closer. -"And, oh mamma," she continued, "when Santa Claus has sent me such a -beautiful, 'spensive papa, you will let me keep him, won't you?" And -the mother, amid laughter and blushes, could not say her nay. - - - - - * * * * * * - - - - -Transcriber's note: - -Obvious printer errors have been corrected. 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