The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1870-03-17
had never seen any half so expires.

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forefinger Of her left hand was dotted
over with little black specks, as Caleb
remembered his mothers to have been
when he was a boy at home, and she sat
in the arm chair sewing for him.
Then the nice hot supper came in,
aud, with ali apology, she began to
eat.
And how she did cat!
Caleb had never seen any one very
hungry before, and he felt his own eyes
grow dim as he watched her. And
somewhere in the interior OF his being
he registered an oath that she should
never be hungry ayain-not if he could
help it: and then he thought of his lit
Tie sister once more.
And at last the supper was eaten (of
course Caleb took nothing, for Delmon-
leo mad supplied ht,n); anu us she looked
up, aud he asked her if she wonld have
anything else, she said: III am asham-
ed of myself for eating SO much. but
was so hungry" and then she went to
crying again, but still silently. And
then, after little, Caleb get her story
out of her.
How she had been crying because she
had widowed mother and little broth
er at home, who were just as hungry as
she was, and who would not have any
kind friend to give them food, and how
she had come out this night with wick
ed purpose in her heart. because that
she could not bear longer that they
should starve; and how that when she
spoke to Caleb her own hunger over
came her--and she was so selfish, so
wickedly seltish-and now she must go.
But Caleb started up and called back
that waiter, and gave him suntry orders
very rapidly; and when he went away
to fill them, put his hand on her shoul
der and told her to sit quietly for few
moments, and he would go with her.
And then she sat down, like very
child US she was, and told him the rest
of her story. Poor green Caleb had
never heard one of those stories be.
fore.
They had been very poor, sire said,
ever since her father died, and that was
when she was about ten years old. Her
mother had supported them for good
while with her needle, and then Josey,
that she said was her name, Josey Car
roll-llad been able to sew, too; and thus
they had managed to live-but that was
all. And then her mother had taken
sick, and then-the waiter came in with
large. covered basket. which Caleb
tucked Josey under one arm, and they
hurried up the steep saloon stairs and
out into the glare Of the street lamps
again.
They..took a car, and about twenty
minutes later were finding their way up
a dark court yard, into a narrow alley
way, up flights Of rickety stairs, and SO
to room on the top floor Of tumble
down tenement house, which was Jo-
sey's home.
There was no fire in the little stove; q
spluttering bit of candle burned on a
rough pine table; and on the floor, upon
a mattress, and covered with few old
quilts and rags, lay huddled the widow
ed mother and the poor little broth
er.
Caleb dropped his basket, and saying
that he would be back in moment,
fled to a corner grocery which he had
seen boy about closing when he pass
ed
Five minutes later he was back in the
room, with the boy following laden With
coal, wood, and candles.
Then he made the fire with his own
hands, for he had learned that accom-
plishment when he was a boy ut the old
| homestead.
The candles were lighted, the table
was spread, the mother and little boy
were seated, and when they were fairly
at work, and he saw how hungry they
were, then Caleb broke down entire
ly.
! He went and opened the window and
| looked out at the stars; but he didn't see
many, for his eyes dropped tears too
| fast.
And presently little hand was slip
ped into his, and rs he turned around
Josey said: Don't cry! you have made
US all so happy, and you have saved US
from SO much! Don't cry!
Caleb pressed her hand; then he look
ed at his watch and said he must go, but
he would come to them the next morn
ing. And then he shook hands with
them all, and went out, while the bless
ings and prayers of the poor widow fol-
, lowed him.
1t was nearly daybreak before Caleb
had finished his Office work and got
home to his boarding house; but ut ten
o'clock he was again in the room in the
tumble down tenement house.
1t was nicely swept, and bright fire
burning, and the few bits Of furniture
made to look as neat and homelike as
possible. ...... ....
And three smiling faces met Caleb
when he entered, and = welcome that
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