Show merry 1 christmas I 1 by helen morton WAS enough to make one hate I 1 IT christmas Christnia st 1 betsy was so tired that she could hardly stand this counter in the middle of the aisle had become a nightmare to her the crowds hurrying by pulling the I 1 neckties off as their coats brushed against them fingering them over and then tossing them back on the table carelessly still it was good to have a job e ven even a temporary one for she had been without work for a long enough time so that she had eaton eaten and all a 11 her possessions she could borrow money on no time to be standing here thinking though that fat woman looked as if she was going to buy several ties these are very nice madam and so reasonable 35 cents a piece or three for 1010 this is an exceptionally pretty one and betsy showed her a navy blue but the fat woman dropped the ties and hastened away with her friend leaving a pile of ties on the floor wearily betsy leaned over and began picking them up let me help a friendly voice a asked betsy looked up into a handsome face curly brown hair deep blue eyes and a mouth that curved into a smile at the surprise in beisys eyes 1 I want to get some ties for my family ive been up here the past few weeks and so I 1 dont know what the kids want but I 1 think be safe to give em ties socks are so commonplace your brothers betsy asked as she held up one or two she liked particularly yeah three brothers and a sister ashes about your age I 1 reckon what does a girl like anyway when youve only a little to spend he looked imploringly lets get the brothers fixed up first and then see about her hows this for the 17 year old betsy inquired fine you know im tickled pink to be able to do anything for the family I 1 struck a bad spell was down with flu for three weeks and lost my job I 1 just got another last week but id have hated to have the day go by with nothing from the big boy his face was shin shining ing ill have them wrapped as gifts then you go over to the counter there and select something for your sister here ill take you over and get a girl from my home town to wait on you shell help and betsy went along with him youre not a city girl then no wonder you were so helpful im ato liz 1 0 IN I 1 Y S 1 I want to get some ties for my far family nily scared of these sophisticated girls inmost of the shops because ive been here only a few months and in my home town everyone knew everyone and it was well it was different say you dont think im getting fresh do you im just so homesick his face was red with embarrassment it was beisys turn to look troubled sure I 1 knew how it was I 1 dont chatter away with every customer this way either im like you new here and lonesome for my own people I 1 was hating christmas time with so much confusion and no real christmas spirit so im glad you told me about your family she turned him over to marie at the wear counter and went on with her tie selling they seemed prettier fresher and more attractive than they had before the curly headed fellow had come along to buy some 0 F a half hour off for supper then shed have to work until until the store closed at nine christmas eve meant lots of last minute gifts to be bought in this big city As she turned away from her counter to go out to eat a friendly voice sounded at her shoulder if youre going to snatch a sandwich do you mind if I 1 go along and we learn something more about each other your friend told me have just a little while for lunch and I 1 want to get acquainted if let me it just a t pickup pick up this w was a s a homesick boy wanting to talk with a small town girl who knew his language there was just a moments hesitation before betsy said with a grin sure enough lead me to the lunch counter youre no more lonely than ive been As it is I 1 really feel like 1 I can say merry christmas when tomorrow comes 11 |