The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-10-20

wrapped the old shawl round his feet.
Baby stared hard at the giver of the
posies, but his honest blue eyes had no
offense. and soon the two were SO friendly
that baby boldly clutched at the bright
buttons ON her sack, and crowed with
delight when he got one, and we all
smiled at the pretty play, and were sorry
when the little lady, with bow and a
smile to us, got out at the church
corner.
"Now shall probably never see that
child again, yet what a pleasant picture
she leaves in memory" thought to my
self, as caught a last glimpse of the
brown hat going round the corner.
But did see her again many times,
that winter, for not long after, as passed
down certain street near my winter
quarters, came upon flock of girls
eating their luncheon as they walked to
and fro on the sunny side-pretty, merry
creatures, all laughing and chattering at
once, as they tossed apples from hand to
hand, munched candy, or compared
cookies. I went slowly, to enjoy the
sight, as do when l meet party of
sparrows on the common, and was
wondering what would become of SO
many budding women when, all of q
sudden, saw my little school. girl.
Yes, knew her in minute, for she
wore the same brown hat, and the rosy
face was sparkling with fun, as she told
secrets with chosen friend while eating
a wholesome slice of bread and butter,
as only hungry schoolgirl could. She
did not recognize me, but / took good
look at her as l went by, longing to
know what the particular secret was that
ended in such a gale of laughter.
After that, often saw my girl as
took my walks abroad, and, one day,
could not resist speaking to her when
met her alone; for usually her mates
clustered round her like bees about their
queen, which pleased me, since it showed
how much they loved the sunshiny child.
/ had paper of grapes in my hand,
and when 1 saw her coming whisked out
a handsome bunch all ready to offer, for
had made up my mind to speak this
time. She was reading a paper, but
looked up to give me the inside of the
walk. Before her eyes could fall again
[ held out the grapes and said, just as 1
had heard her say to schoolmate at
lunch time, "Let's go halves" She
understood at once, laughed, and took
the bunch, saying with twinkling eyes:
ooh, thank you they are beauties 70
Then, as we went on 10 the corner to-
gether, l told her why did it, and re-
called the carriage. "I'd forgotten all
about that, hut my conductor is very
kind and always waits fer me-" she said,
evidently surprised that stranger
should take an interest in her small self.
l did not have half time enough with
her, for bell rang and away she
skipped, looking back to nod and smile
at the queer lady who had taken fancy
to her. A few days after and fine
nosegay of flowers was left at the door
for me, and when / asked the servant
who sent them he ans wered:
A little girl asked if lame lady
didn't live here, and, when she said yes,
she told me to give you these and said,
The grapes were very nice.
L knew at once who IL was, and enjoyed
the funny message immensely, for when
one leads quiet life little things interest
and amuse.
Christmas was close by, and planned
a return OF the flowers of sort that
fancied that my young friend would APP
preciate. j knew that Christmas week
would be holiday, 30 the day before it
began went to the school just before
recess and left frosted plummy cake,
directed to Miss Goldlocks, from whom
she knows who."
At first did not know how to address
my nice, white parcel, for I never had
heard the child's name. But after think
ing over the matter 1 remembered that
she was the only girl there with yellow
curls hanging down her back, 80 1 de-
cided TO risk the case with the above di-
rection. The maid who took it in (for
my girl went to private school) smiled
and said at once she knew whom meant.
l left my cake, and strolled around the
corner to the house of friend, there
to wait and watch for the success of my
joke, for the girls always went that way
at recess.
Presently the little hats began to 90
bobbiug by, the silent streets to echo
with laughter, and the sidewalk to bloom
with gay gowns, for the girls were all
out in winter colors now. From behind
q curtain peeped at them, and saw,
with great satisfaction, that nearly ali
had bits of my cake in their hands, and
were talking it over with most fatterins
interest. My particular little girl, with
a friend on each arm, passed so near me
that could see the happy look in her
eyes, and hear her say, with toss OF the
bright hair A.:
Mother will plan it for me, and
can get it done by New Year. Won't il
be- fun to hang it on the door some day
and then run Z"
/ fancied that she meant to make
something for me, and waited with pa.
tience, wondering how this odd frolic
with nv little school-g girl would end.
New Years day came and passed, but
no gift hung on my door so made up
my mind it was all a mistake, and being
pretty busy about that time thought no
more of the matter until some weeks
later, as came into town one day, after
visit in the country. / am fond of OBJ
serving faces, and seldom forget one il
anything has particularly attracted my
attention to it. SO this morning, as ]
rode along, / looked at the conductor, as
there was no one else to observe, and he
had pleasant sort of face. Somehow,
- lonLaJ familiar an6 aftar fhir, RI N N