The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1877-04-05
A 1iue Story.

A True Story.
1t was growing dark in the city
streets. Men and women hurried
along, as if eager to reach comfortable
homes; the horses seemed TO pull the
heavy wagons with more willingness
than usual, as if they too knew that
the days work was over, and enjoyed
the prospect of rest. The lamplighters
were going their rounds, and trying to
make up for the lost daylight. Little
children were safe and warm at home.
AL but one, perhaps. A little boy
stood on the deserted sidewalk, close
to a great window of plate glass,
through which he gazed with rapt
face. The picture which he looked at
was a beautiful one. A great room
with pointed ceiling overhead, and a
chandelier which seemed to make reol
sunshine. The walls were covered
with fine paintings. A marble table,
heaped with delicious food, stood near
the centre OF the room. The bright
light struck through the great decan-
ter, and made a big crimson stain on
the right hand 0; gentleman who sat
at the table reading newspaper. A
large diamond ring on one finger
seemed to wink and blink at the little
boy outside. 81 wish he would look
up The child Was thinking.
But though he waited and watched
the man did noS move for a long time.
Then be flung the paper down, ard
reached out The banl with the ola.
mond for wine glass, which he filled
and drank, never once looking towards
the window.
''Plcase, SIR
That WAS all the boy Said. He had
stepped from the Street into Che hall:
then without stopping to knock he had
opened the great door which led into
the gent'eman's room. On tue tbres.
hold o: the saloon he stopp-d, fright
eDed at what he he'd done.
"What is it my little man?'
Mr.. Arthur Leonard had a pleasant
smile, which came easily to his hand.
some face, although he looked into the
big brown eyes as i { he saw something
there he had been looking for great
while.
"You came to beg, l suppose and
the gentleman's hand went readily in.
to his pocket.
"Oh, no, sir, I never thought OF
that. I waut> ID mean-please sir,
will go now.'
He moved back awkardly, but Mr.
Leonard stopped him with a gesture.
The child's face interested him. His
manDer, too, at first to eager, now SC
embarrassed, had aroused his curiosity
"You are cold," he sad, noticing
that the child sbivered and that his
garments were thin aud poor.
He ro:e, took the boy by the hand
and led him to the gldve fre which
was dancing on the hearth-a big,
jolly fire, which seemed trying to Fight
up the room and make the chandelier
notice how big and bright it was.
Mr.. Leonard did not seem to think
it queer for a poor ],.tle boy with
patched clothes to sit in one Of the
crimson satin arm chairs big enough
for throne. He drew up one for him.
self opposite.
care you hungry p he asked. 81
will give you something to eat, and a
little wine will warm you up
"Oh, 70, sir" and the child shranb
further back into the big chair.
You will tell me your name, al
least!''
eyes, sir. My name is Eddie Boyn
ton, and | am ten years Old"
s'Ah -
M. Leonard was smiling now as he
saw the boys courage coming back.
"You will not be angry with me.
sir ?''
"ADgry why in the world should
be angry with you?'
II didn't know but you might, sill, III
I said what l wanted to-
"Never fear, Eddie; I am anxious tc
know what you have to tell me-
The little boy stretched out his little
thin hands, red with cold, toward the
glowing FIRE, and said:
II work in the dye house, now, and
get a good deal of money-a dollar 8
week.
Mr.. Leonard could hardly help laugh
ing. The wine he had offered the
child cost more than that.
II come past this big window every
night on my way home. T shan't
come again, though, because We
are going to move away. I like tc
look in here because it is so warm and
pleasant, and because you are sitting
here, and have eyes just like my ia
ther's."
"What strange child, "Mr. Leonard
was thinking.
s'He was 60 handsome and tall" thu
little fellow went on, looking back in
to the freight. ''He wore nice clothes
too, like yours; and we lived in grea
big house, most as big as this. uset
to sit next to him at the table, and h,
gave me that to drink pointing t.
The wine glass. ':Mother would cr1
sometimes; but he would kiss her, ant
tell her that good wine would make M
strong and handsome. One day h
went away for long time, and moth
er cried all the time he was gone
When he came back he struck at her
and then fell down on the floor.
screamed because I thought he wa