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

esAoA5s do IL Oo.5CA " 1csdC1 COmlOICaDl0
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 lampli lighters
were going their rounds, and trying to
make up for the lost daylight. Little
children were safe and warm at home.
All but one, perhaps. A little boy
stood on the deserted sidewalk, close
to 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
chandelier which seemed to make re3l
sunshine. The walls were covered
with fine paintings. A marble table,
heaped with delicious food, stood near
the centre o. the room. The bright
light struck through the great decan-
ter, and made a big crimson stain on
the right hand .; 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. II wish he would look
up The child Was thinking.
But though he waited and watched,
the man did not move for a long time.
Then be flung the paper down, ard
reached out The banh with the Ola.
mond Tor 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 the hall;
then without stopping to knock he had
opened the great door which led into
the gent 8 room. On tue TIRES
hold o: the saloon he stopp-d, fright.
ened at what he he'd done.
"Whdt 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 il he Saw something
there he had been looking for great
while.
"You came to beg, I suppose" and
| the gentleman hand went readily in
to his pocket.
sob, no, sir, l never thought Of
that. l want ID mean-please sir, l
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 so
embarrassed, had aroused his curiosity.
"You are cold,' he ID, noticing
that the child sbivered and that his
garments were thin aud poor.
He r0ce, took the boy by the hand
aud led him to the glaze five which
was dancing on the hearth-a big,
jolly fire, which seemed trying to light
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 ]..Sle boy with
patched clothes to sit in one Of the
crimson satin acm chairs big enough
for throne. He drew up one for him.
self opposite.
care you hungry = he asked. 81
will give you something to eat, and a
little wine will warm you up
sob, 70, SIR" aud the child shrank
further back into the big chair.
You will tell me your name, at
least?''
eyes, sir. My name is Eddie Boyn-
ton, and am ten years old"
"Ahv
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 l
be angry with you?''
81 didn't know but you might, sir, if
I said what l wanted to-
"Never fear, Eddie !; I am anxious to
know what you have to tell me-"
The little boy stretched out his little
thin hands, red with cold, toward the
glowing Ere, and said:
II work in the dye house, now, and
get a good deal Of money-a dollar a
week.
Mr.. Leonard could hardly help laugh
ing. The wine he had offered the
child cost more than that.
81 come past this big window every
night on my way home. I shan t
come again, though, because we
are going to move away. I like to
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.'
"Wbat a strange child, Mr.. Leonard
was thinking.
'tHe was 60 handsome and tall,'' the
little fellow went on, looking back in.
to the freight. ''He wore nice clothes,
too, like yours; and we lived in great
! big house, most as big as this. l used
to sit next to him at the table, and he
gave me that to drink pointing tt
the wine glass. ssMother would CRY
r sometimes; but he would kiss her, and
| tell her that good wine would make mt
> strong and handsome. One day hi
} went away for long time, and moth
l er cried all the time he was gone
! When he came back he struck at her
l and then fell down on the floor.
screamed because I thought he wa!
I dead. The black man who drove tn,
l horses, came up stairs aud helped
I mother to get him to bed. She saidh,