The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1877-12-21

resp0ndence, and hardly day
passed but what there were some
letters to be delivered at his house.
Whenever went to the door, the
children we're sure to see me. +
could see them. from the opposite
side Of the street, nearly half block
away, with their little noses fatten-
ed against the window-pane, look
ing for me. And then, just as soon
as they caught a glimpse Of me, all
of a sudden they'd disappear, and
in a minute there they were, stand
ing at the door waiting for me !! It
didn't make any difference how
cold, or how warm, or how wet the
weather was-they always came to
the door and held out their hands
for 'Papa's letters If there were
enough to go around Id give each
Of them one ); and if there wasn't,
those who didn't get any would
have q double share next time.
They were splendid children-hand-
some, and as Well-behaved as grown
IIadies and gentlemen They were
ALWAYS dressed neatly. The Girls,
who looked like theig mother, had
blue eyes and brown hair, and
were, enough alike to have been
twins. But the little boy was my
fayorite. frankie was his name.
| He had hazel eyes, like his father
and like him, too, fine, large
head, from which his bright curls
lell almost to his shoulders. He va
such manly little fellow-and So
bright and so smart, Sometimes
the ehildren's mother would come
10 the door with them and | re-
member how she used to stand, with
one hand on Frankie's curly head,
waiting for me to come across the
street with the letters. They al
ways had a pleasant word and
many day, when ] was well nigh
worn oI,t with nv walking, their
happy, smiling faces cheered me
o. my rounds. After a time I com
menced to look forward to my call
at the house where the children
were and when | had no letters to
deliver, which was seldom, would
stop and say How do 2 any way
for 7 couldn't go by without pass
ing word or two with the bright
faces peeping out IF the door. They
were just as glad to see me as | was
to see them and I know they en-
Ijoyed my calls.
One cold day last winter was
making my usual round, and when
I got within sight Of Frankie's
house, On the other side Of the
street, looked across for nay pets.
/ Only two little faces were at the.
window. hurried to the door, and
there the little girls greeted me,
saying frankie hada bad cold, and
could not come down stairs but
wouldn't I please cross over to the
other side and look up to the sec
ond- story window, so he could see
me? OverI went, and there was the
little fellow, sitting in his mothers
lap, looking for me. He threw
me kiss, and I nodded and smiled
Every day for more than 9 week i
crossed over the street, after de
| Ilivering the mail at the door, and
let frankie see me. 1 could see he |
was becoming paler and thinner |
but wasn't prepared to hear, one
day, that he could not sit up at the
window. Indeed, it didn't seem
that he was not there !; SO I crossed
over and looked up as usual, but
the shutters were bowed to darken
T the room, and he was not to be seen.
! got daily reports Of bis condition
sometimes good and sometimes
bad but no matter what they were,
n always went over and looked up
at the window, hoping I might see
him, Or be might see me.
One Saturday there was DOC
tors carriage before the house when /
tl1rnad fila rarnpr and III I rang I