The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-10-25
A PEEP in THE WINDOW.
A True Story.

It was growing dark in the city streets,
men and women hurried along, as if ca
ger to reach comfortable 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 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 on the deserted sidewalk, close to a
great window of plate glass, through
which he gazed with rapt face. A great
room with painted ceiling overhead, and
chandelier which seemed to make real
sunshine. The walls were covered with
fine paintings, A marble table, heaped
with delicious food, stood near the center
of the room. The bright light struck
through the great decanter, and made a
crimson stain on the white hand of a
gentleman who sat at the table reading a
newspaper. A large diamond ring on
one finger seemed to wink and blink at
the little boy outside. 81 wish he would
look up" the boy was thinking.
But though he waited and watched the
man did not move for long time. Then
he flung the paper down, and reached
out the hand with the diamond for a
wine glass, which he filled and drank,
never once looking toward the window.
"Please, sir"
That was all the boy said. He had
stepped from the street into the wide
hall; and without stopping to knock he
had opened the great door which led to
the gentlemans room. On the threshold
of the saloon he stopped, frightened at
what he had done.
"What is it my small MANI?
Mr.. Arthur Leonard had a 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 looking
for long while.
"You came to beg, suppose" and the
,eentleman's hand went rapidly into his
pocket.
"Oh, no, sir; I never thought of that.
wanted mean-please sir, | will 60
now"
He moved back awkwardly, but Mr..
Leonard stopped him with a gesture
The childs face interested him. His
manner, too, at first so eager and now 80
embarrassed had aroused his curiosity.
"You are cold" he said, noticing that
the child shivered and that his garments
were thin and poor. He rose, took the
boy by the hand, and led him to the fire
which was dancing on the hearth--a big,
Jolly fire, which seemed trying to make
the chandelier notice how big and bright
it was.
Mr.. Leonard did not seem to think 1T
queer for poor little boy with patched
clothes, to sit in one of the crimson arm
chairs big enough for throne. lie drew
up one for himself opposite.
"Are you hungry?" he asked. II will
give you something to eat, and little
wine will warm you up"
"oh, no, sir" and the child shrank
further back into the chair.
"You will tell me your name at least?'
ayes, sir. My name is Eddie Boynton
and | am ten years old"
"Ah%'
Mr.. Leonard was smiling, now as he saw
the boys courage coming back.
"You will not be angry with me, sir?
"Angryl why in the world should ] b.
angry with you?"
"I didn't know but what you might If
said what wanted to-"
"Never fear, Eddie, I am anxious t.
know what you have to tell"
The little boy stretched out his thil
hands, red with cold, toward the glowln'
irc, and said:
81 work in the dye-house now, and &c
good deal of money-a dollar a week
Mr.. Leonard could not help laughing
The wine he had offered the child COS
more than that.
81 come past this big window ever.
Aight on my way home. / Ishan't COM
again, though, because we are going
move away, / like to look in here, Be
cause it is 80 warm and pleasant, and be
cause you are sitting here, and have eye
like my fathers"