Harper's Young People, December 16, 1879 / An Illustrated Weekly

AIN'T THEY LOVELY? AND ARE THEY ALL REALLY YOURS?
Mrs. Douglas was looking over her shopping list, and Lily Douglas was looking over her mother's shoulder. The Christmas Charity Fair was so soon to be held that Mrs. Douglas had a world of business to attend to, for of course her table must be full of pretty things suitable for the season. She was going out this morning to finish all her purchases, and Lily had been promised a corner of the carriage if she would be as quiet as she knew how to be, and not take cold. This was joyfully acceded to, for with all the glories of the shops to look at, could she not be still? and with her new velvet cloak and warm furs, how could she take cold?
So she bounced into the brougham after her mother, and curled herself into the smallest possible space, that there might be room for all the packages. Such smiling brown eyes under sweeping lashes looked up at the sky as she wished for snow, and so warm a little heart beat under the velvet and furs as the brougham rolled down the street, that more than one passer-by gave her smiles in return. They had not long been out when the snow came indeed, as if just to oblige the little maiden; first in a sulky, slow way, then taking a start as if it were in earnest, down came the feathery flakes.
Oh, mamma, she cried, aren't you glad? Just look at the lovely, lovely snow!
Yes, said mamma, abstractedly, reading off her list; one dozen decorated candles; three screens, gilt; six lace tidies; fifteen yards blue ribbon; dolls—oh, Lily, I have forgotten the dolls, and I must have them in time to dress them. Knock on the window, and tell Patrick to turn down town again; but I am afraid the snow will be deep before we can get home.
So much the better, mamma, exclaimed Lily. Oh, I am so glad it has come!
Mamma smiled back at her little girl's radiant look, as she said, What will all the little poor children do?
Do? answered Lily; why, they will sweep the walks—look! there they are now. What fun! I wish I had a broom, and a tin cup for pennies.