The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1879-11-22

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He began his disagreeable task at a
diagonal point of the town from where
he started.
At three houses the door was shut in
his face before his request for food was
half spoken. The Lieutenant" swore at
this sort of treatment. That was
natural enough for a hungry man who
had been hero; but every body did not
know his record. Of course not, and
they would never hear of it from his
lips. Moody and despairing, he pre-
pared for what he resolved should be his
last request. A handsome cottage was
before him. 1t was well-lighted, for the
dusk was falling, He pushed up his hat
on one side and pulled it down on the
other, that it might have a more iaunty
look. He took that trouser leg out of
his boot and deposited in his pocket the
string which had belted his coat. Those
little alterations did not change his APP
pearsnce much, but they softened some
of the outlines. His timid knock at the
back door was answered by buxom
Irish girl. AS the door opened, there
rushed out the fragrant incense of roast
ing turkey.
" l am hungry" he began. GIVE
had nothing to eat to-day"
The door began to close. He put his
hand against it.
|" For heavens sake give me some
think, If it is not more than crust of
breadl"
It was tAe hero Lieutenant jim"
who was pleading for just a few mouth
fuls. The door opened little.
-" 4e're hard looking tramp, We are"
said the girl.
q know it," admitted the lieutenant,
And the mistress is mighty particu-
lar. continued the girl. "The last one
of We we fed just ran away wild the
snpoon, though, to be sure it was an ould
iron one. Yes a mighty ugly fellow"
Perhaps. But / don't steal" assert
ed the ex soldier. "Now think min
ute! Eve eaten nothing to-day. Give
me bit of something. I'll eat it in the
back yard-anywhere."
Well, come in" said the girl doubt
fully. "Pll take my chanches. There,
set in that chair and don't shpake q
wurred."
She hustled around and soon handed
him plate of loaded with cold meat and
bread, generous slice of butter on the
edge, and a bowl of milk to keep the
food company.
"Pitch IN nowl" she ordered. "You
tind to your business and Pll tind to
mine, but no thavery."
Dinner had not been served. He
heard the hum of distant conversation
and little bursts of laughter in distant
room. Now and then some one struck
piano. The lieutenant's keen eyes
swept the kitchen and the pantry. Be-
for him was wealth of pies. A pot of
coffee on the stove dubbed up its in
cense. The turkey sizzled and cracked
in the oven. Dishes of apples and nuts
aid raisins were upon the long table.
Everything betokened unusual festivi-
ties.
GA .party?" he said, nodding toward
the front part of the house.
Thanksgiving day!" was the senten-
tious reply.
"Ah! so it is. [ had forgotten it. 1t
is day not down in my almanac"
The girl stopped as if TO say some
thing, but changed her mind and went
on with her work.
A door opened and little fairy Of
girl perhaps six years old, came into the
room. She stood with her hands behind
her, and watched the man" eat. His
plate was nearly empty. lie felt like
one intoxicated.
" Were you ever hungry, little one?"
he asked of the miss, scraping the last
crumbs off his plate.
Lots of times; but never go hun
CRY as you. And l don't eat in the
kitchen"
"Nor |, either, always; but / like it,
said the lieutenant, rubbing his mouth
on the back of his hand in lieu of a nap
kin. Gin fact, it's fine"
"Don't yes talk too much now, Miss
LauraP' ordered Bridget, kneeling to
haste the turkey. The small girl shrug-
ged her shoulders and pouted.
"1syou really tramp"' asks Laura,
coming little nearer,
I" a first class one" says the Heuten-
ant. "Look at my boots" and he bal
anced his feet on his heels.
"They's real funny. They's laugh
ing," said the child, STOPPING over to
study the chasms in the toes.
"Don't your papa wear such boots?
inquired the man.
q amt got no papa" the girl re-
piled.
6 Nor l." laughed the tramp; but the
child was very sober.
"My names Laura, what's your
name| she asked moment later.
"My name?' said the lieutenant, his
face becoming very grave. "My name
/ haven't any. | lost it long ago"
"Did anybody find it?' was the ques-
ton ssgely propounded. She stood close
to him now, one hand on his knee, and
wistfully looking up into bis face. A
something he saw in it overcame him,
and he bowed his head in his hands.
"Don't be imperentP' said Bridget.
Lave the man alonel | think you'd
better be going, sir"
The lieutenant raised his head.
81 think so, too" He looked again
into the child's face-stooped down and
kissed her.
"My hail" he demanded sharply, as
he turned away.
1t was near the dining room door,
where Bridget's dress had swept it. He
stopped to pick it up. At the same in
slant the door opened and handsome
woman, richly dressed and not more
than thirty years of age, stood in the
doorway. AS he rose his face looked
into her. His hat dropped from his
hand and he staggered back.
go Godl" he cried. at is Marian"
A quick cry of surprise and Joy came
from the lips of the woman. She plased
her hanis on his shoulders and gszed
lovingly and mutely into his face. The
mans head slowly droOped