The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1877-06-23
Red Wtne-A True Story.


1t was growing dark in the city streets;
men and women hurried along. al if
eager to reach comfortable homes; the
horses seemed to pull 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 day
light. Little children were safe and
warm at home.
All but one, perhaps. A little boy
stood OH the deserted sidewalks, close to
a great window of plate glass, through
which he gazed with rapt face. The
picture which he looked at was a beauti-
full one. A great room with painted
ceiling overhead, and a chandelier which
seemed to make real sunshine. The
walls were covered with fine paintings.
A marble table, heaped with delicious
food, stood hear the centre Of the room.
The bright light struck through the
great decanter, and made a big crimson
stain on the white hand of q gentleman
who sat at the table reading q newspaper.
A large diamond ring on n finger
seemed to wink and blink at the little
boy outside. II wish he would look
upY' the child was thinking.
But though he waited and watched,
the man did not move for a long time.
Then he flung the paper down, and
reached out the hand with the diamond
for q wine-glass, which he filled and
drank, never one looking toward the
window.
"PIease, sir"
That was all the boy said. He had
stepped from the street into the wide
hall; then, without stopping to knock,
he had opened the great dooi which led
into the gentlemans,s room. On the
threshol4 of the saloon he stopped,
frightened at what he had done.
What is it., my small MANI"
Arthur Leonard had u pleasant smile
which came easily to his handsome face,
but the child shrank back, although he
looked into the big brown eyes as if he
saw something there he had been lock-
ing for a great while.
You come to beg, | suppose ?' and
the gentleman's hand went readily into
his pocket.
ooh, no, sir, | never thought of that
Il wanted-I mean-please, sir, I will
go noww
He moved back awkwardly, but Mr..
Leonard stopped him with a gesture.
The child's face interested him. His
manner too, at first 30 eager, now 80 en-
barrassed, had aroused his curiosity.
aYou are cold" he said noticing that
trg child shivered. and that his garments
were thin and poor.
He rose, took the boy by the hand and
led him to the grate-fre which was dane
ing 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.
Nj. Leonard did not seem to think it
queer for a poor little boy with patched
clothes 10 SIT in one Of the crimson satin
arm-chairs big enough for a throne. He
drew up n for himself opposite.
care you hungry" he asked. 81
will give you something to eat, and a
little wine will warm you up"
ooh, no, sir" and the child sk5ank
further back into the big chair.
"You will tell me your name, at
least |"
Eyes, sir. Ny name is Eddie Boyn.
ton, and l am ten years old"
"AhI" Nh. Leonard was smiling now,
as he saw the boys courage coming back.
"You wilAnot beangry with me, sir?'
Angry! why in the world should /
be angry with you !"
81 didn't know but you might, sir, if
l said what I wanted TO-"
p Never fear, Eddie, lam anxious to
know what you have to tell"
The little boy stretched his little thin
hands, red with cold, opt toward the
glowing fire, and said
"I s.ork in the dye house now, and
get d good deal Of money! dollar a
week"
Mr.. Leonard could hardly help laugh
ing. The wine be had 5fsrcd the child
cost more than that.
IS come past this big window every
night 81 my way home. shan't come
again, though, because we're going to
move away. ] like to look in here be-
cause it ID 50 warm and pleasant, and be-
-ause you are sitting here and have eyes
lust like my tather's."
What q strange child, Mr.. Leonard
was thinking.