Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1880-08-26
ONLY HALF A DOLLAR.
But One Little Heart Made Glad With the
Precious Gift.

Precious Gift.
Yesterday a big-boned Texan, some
thing over six feet high, with an enor-
nous broad -brlmmed hat and sweeping
moustache reaching nearly to his shoul-
ders, stood at the Laclede hotel office
carelessly examining the register. A
slight tWitching at his coat skirts was
passed by unheeded, but more vigorous
pull caused him to look around expect
ing to greet a joking friend or something
of the sort. He saw nothing and was
turning back to the register leaves again
when his glance fell upon such wee
mite of girl, whose head was such a
short distance from the floor that it was
no wonder he had not seen her. The
wild looking face bent down to the little
one and a deep bass voice asked, "What
is it, little gala"
''Please, mister, won't you buy my
matches9" came III weak, childish tones,
SO low that the words could not have been
understood had the appeal net been re-
inforced by the holding up of u box OF
matches, the corners Of the paper box
being all dog cared and mlserably
soiled.
The little figure was barafooted and
the one calico garment, rent, faded and
torn.
"No; I don't want any to-day, sissy, .
sard the Texan.
"Please mister, won't you buy my
matches?" with second pull at the coat
The man turned again, impatiently,
and glanced at the little one, as If
ashamed, and with a furitive glance
around as if to see if he was unobserved,
put his fingers in his vest pocket, and
the next instant a bright half dollar
cleaned in the little grimy fingers. With
half sigh the blg-hearted fellow said
halt to himself, "Poor little cuss."
Please mister, don't you want the
matches, and haln't got no change.
ooh, the devil, no; keep the change
and matches,E too.
Holding the precious coin in both
hands the little match. girl vanished like
shadow through the front door, and
the Texan, with muttered, "What q
fool aAl," followed.
Around the corner and down Sixth
street battered the little NAKED feet, un-
conscious that she was followed, and up
one of these streets devoted to small deal
ers and perfect nest of pawnshops. In
to one of the least clean and imposing of
these she darted and whispered some
thing to the woman, who toek paper
parcel out of drawer and handed it to
the child. The child tore off the paper with
nervous fingers, and there was the treas
ure of her heart, her only possession
her doll. She Rugged it to her breast
and kissed it. What was SAID between
| woman and child could not be heard but
when the little waif laid the half-dellal
on the counter, the woman shook her
head and pushed it far out toward the
child, as If her resolution might not hole
out very steadfast. The child looke6
amazed, but turned to go, and at the
door stood the Texan, with very sus'
picious moisture on his cheek, and big
lump in his throat.
"T've got little girl like you at home
Come along and show me where you
live" said he.
Well, you may be sure that the sick
mother and the little girl were rendered
more comfortable, for an hour afterward.
she had receipt for months rent il
her hand, and Doctors carriage stood
at the door of that tenement house.
And such was the story that was tolt
to the reporter by the big-hearted Texar
who last night left the Laclede hotel fo
his home upon the broad plains, wher
| range his broad horned herds.