The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1873-02-21

TO see a customer like that purchasing
such toy. "Why, Maggie, you will
never get money TO pay for it,"
"Aye, but my New Years money
pays it," Mr.. Held stepped up and
paid for the doll with some of the re-
jected gift; thinking mono so poor rs
10 care for bis money, and he bad
meant il kindly enough, too. Let
me get n pair of shoes aud warm
shawl; this is a bitter night for you,
little one"
II am used to it, doE't mind for
me-"
She strobe on by his side quite in.
dependcntly. Somehow he had taken
her hand, and she was more tractable
as he talked kindly TO her.
"For true, is this the first kind act
in twenty years."
She looked upon her dollie, and
wound her up with n portion of her
scaniy shawl.
Yes, child; and for the New Year
| want you To let me get you some
thing tonight"
They went in store and bought
shoes, aud shawl; and finally a pa
per OF candies were added TO the par
cells for Jamie, who was uncommonly
fond OF these sweets-lolly pops, she
called them, and barley sugar.
"I'li never let any one abuse you,
Mr.. Hicld-indced, I'll not. Tim, the
boy who does the errants for your
store, said I'd never dare even TO
speak till you, much less ask for q
New Years from you, 80 never take
a dare, but indeed ! never meant to
beg; mother will feel sore; she is
proud.likc, aud will shame me; but
you meant kind, and there is no use
OF being touchy, for everyone knows
that We are very poor"
He looked down at the miserable
little thing, and thought she could not
well be much poorer. $50 you have
come TO your senses, and mean 10 let
me help you. II is getting late, come
up 10 my place tomorrow and viii
give YOU New Years dinner for all
at home. Meanwhile take this. =
Again he offered the money, and
again the shrewish little face was
mantled with the blush OF honest
pride.
You have gwen me enough for
nothing; perhaps you may find some
work that can DO. / DO not get
much work; | am so small no one
will hire me. That is why ! am get
ting bad and wasting my time. I'm
real i'll aud wicked, and II it was not
for something here. Id take the things
| need 30 much. could steal pair
OF shoes any day, and not be found out.
But hand seems TO hold me back,
ani I'd sooner suffer from the want of
them"
II can find employment that you
may be able To do il you call at my
Office tomorrow; in Tie meanwhile
you had better go home
"Ycs-good night. But just look
at my doll; she is real warm, now"
Without thanks she took her little
neglected self off, aud WAS soon lost
down the bright cheerful street He
returned TO his office, still followed
by the hating step of the new year,
gradually growing stronger and
stronger. As he approached his own
door, he heard sudden, wild peal oil
the bell. followed by .janglins OF
wires. He ran up 10 the door Just in
time TO catch little girl who had
been too slow TO make off before he
reached her. Angry words came up
pcrmost, and he quellcd all show OF
temper, for tonight he felt like a boy
again, with the shadow OF his young
mother lowering over him. Speak
ing gently TO the little thing, he said :
why did you break my bell wire?'
"Be you old Held? I'm hanged il
you amt. Well, we are all bound TO
play some trick on him tonight
Freckled Maggie was TO cut of his
coat-tail; was TO break the doorbell
so I've done it,"
This was a coarse. bold little thing,
of the worst sort of "street rat"
II never harmed you or Maggie
why do you treat me so?'
Tim persuaded all the girls to play
tricks because you would not give
anything toward the pcwsboys'
Christmas dinner. Anyway, you're a
mean old one, and never give away
anything, Christmas or any other day >
lie held her all the time, though
she struggled and scratched him Sc
verely.
Aren't yon going to let me go?''
"When I'm ready. Who told you
I never give anything? Ask Freckled
Maggie if she did not get her New
Years gift from me-"
81 don't believe it. What did you
give her? and will you give me one p
"Yes, come in"
And again, down the bright thor
onghtare, he laid another doll in the
yearning arms of one OF these little
outcasts, and again he saw the mother
feeling triumph, as this coarse little
imp clasr ed the doll to her breast.
$50 you like doll, too"
sOf course"
"Well, off with YOU"
And again this night he was left
without thanks, but somehow he did
not mind this much. AS he turned
again toward home, he was still fol
lowed by the footsteps, getting
stronger and stronger as twelve at
night rung forth. He shut himself in
with the memory OF his forty years
pressing heavily upon him.
Somehow he rested but i'll that
night. Long forgotten thoughts
crowded in his dreams and revived
the scenes. OF his childhood. That
last New Years day at home he could
see his mother fitting in and out, and