The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-12-15

VII DC SCNtlll -llhC CtlIJo vi OIlC
But, Charlie, boy, you must not expect
me to give you another dollar for the
Fourth
80 no, sir, I don't" Charlie an
swered promptly and honestly. Il
never thought of it. Where's the best
place to buy the shoes, papa?"
'At Leman's," said the doctor.
"Well, I'll go there" said Charlie.
'Good-by, papa" and he was gone.
Dr. Moore, from the office window,
watched the eager little boy as he ran
on his errand of kindness to Mr.. Lee
mans store, and then with his precious
bundle toward Mrs Vests cottage.
"Noble little fellowr' said the father,
proudly, as he gazed at Charles rapid
ly-retreating figure; - he is always will
ing to deny himself to help others, the
dear boy! and so my fine little Lily
laughed at poor Lou, for of course it
was Lily and Lou West, though Charlie
didn't mean their names to slip out. |
must talk with my little daughter. l
wish she was more like Charlie What
can | do to show my little girl how
cruel and selfish she has been?" And for
some time the doctor sat buried in deep
thought.
! Meanwhile Charlie had reached Mrs.
Vests cottage and found Lou seated on
the doorstep. No traces of tears stained
her pretty face now, but an anxious lit
tie smile was there, as her fingers flew
| busily over some clumsy work, and
every now and then she glanced hur-
riedly at an old-fashiOned clock within
the room.
She did not see Charlie, and he, feel
ing very shy all at once, hesitated to
speak. Suddenly a bright thought
struck him. He looked quickly toward
the cottage, and, like Gen. Grant upon
the field of Chattanooga, "took in the
situation at q glance" Quick as a
flash, around he went back of the house,
climbed lightly over the wood-pile
to the low shed, and crept along until
he gained the porch over the doorway.
He was now directly over Lou, and
peeping down could see her at work.
by Georgen' he exclaimed to him
self, isn't she just plucky, though?
Why, she's actually making a pair of
shoes; got one done, too; but what a
looking thingr'
III llCdIlN DCIl d you ulIHScll, ldt0Hlup
at the clumsy shoe which brave little
Lou had made from piece of old felt
ing. But Lou began to speak and
Charlie hushed himself to hear what
she was saying, as she stitched away
upon its unfinished companion.
80 dear! I'm afraid it won't be
done in timer she sighed, with another
quick glance at the clock, and re-
doubled energy over the stitching.
This reminded Charlie, however
pleasant it might be to lie there con-
cealed and watching her, his time was
limited; so, drawing the ankle-ties from
their wrapper, he leaned cautiously for
ward and dropped them into the little
girls lap. Lou started and almost
screamed with delight. She looked up
ward, behind, and around her, but saw
no one.
"Where did they come from?n she
said, aloud Right down from heaven,
| do believe;'' then falling upon her
knees: Dear Lord, you put it into
somebody's heart to give me these Oh,
how | thank you! Oh, make the giver s
heart as happy as they have made me!
Amenr'
Charlie held his breath and the tears
stood mistily in his eyes, to see little
Lou kneeling there so thankful In all
his life he never forgot the picture-the
messy old roof and vines beneath him,
and Louis sweet face upturned as she
prayed God to bless him. A well-spring
of joy seemed flooding his heart. He
could not tell what made him so happy.
He kept very still now, for Lou, of
course, must not know that the shoes
were his present.
She had darted into the cottage, and
she now reappeared, the new ankle-ties
drawn on over clean white stockings,
fitting to IT" Charlie was sure.
though he longed to get down to pinch
the toes as the shop-keepers do, "to be
quite certain, you know"
But Lou with her school books was
flying up the the street, and Charlie be-
thought him that it was "most recess
time; so, swinging himself down from
his airy perch and running "across
lots" he gained the school-room Just
as Lou flew around the last corner, and
thus a second time escaped being seen
by her.
1t yet wanted ten minutes to recess
time when Lou turned the handle of
the school-room door and timidly en-
tered. Charlie colored and his heart
beat high as the trim little feet came
walking down the aisle; Lily and Carrie
looked ashamed, as well they might,
and surprised.
"Ah, LOU" said Miss Morton, pleas
antly, 81 am glad to see you. have
heard that you were here before school.
Why did you 90 homeP"
Something happened" answered
Lou, hesitatingly, in Charles own
words" something happened and |
couldn' tstay'' and the little girls cheeks
Redeemed as she recalled Carrie and
Lily's taunts.
Miss Morton saw that something was
amiss, and Lily's guilty, scowling little
face seemed to betray her as the Gull
prit, but she asked no questions, not
liking to encourage tale-bearing among
her pupils, and believing that, except
in extraordinary cases, it was best to
let the scholars settle their difficulties
among themselves without her inter-
ference. She was, however, very con-