Morris tribune., 1880-08-19

now expressed certain climax of satls-
faction. He lifted the cover and looked
In, shut it dswn and sighed, looked in
once more, and then CHANGING about him.
seemed to be seeking the fitting means
to some desired end. SR
"What Is itG" asked Mr.. ferdinand
Brooks.
1t was not however, the intention OF
the small boy to make his escort party
to his present transactions. Without
seeming to hear the inquiry. he obsti-
nately continued to gaze about him, and
presently decided that the lower projec-
ton OF the wa1nscot would offer him a
sort of shelf upor which he might range |
his edibles in convenient order as he con- |
sumed them in fitting courses. Putting
his tiny hand inside the basket, he first
brought out small napkin, which on
being folded back, disclosed five white
slices of chicken, two drumsticks, and
two wings. These he at once began to
eat, grasping in his lett fist a drumshck,
and alternating his bites between that
and the cut meat. While he ate he some
times stood and sometimes sat; he seem
ed in the same mood of distracted indlf-
ference to his companions proximity,
and his glance, travelling from floor to
ceiling, passed him over as it it had rest
ed un vacancy. The chicken was soon
finished, the bones even sucked dry. He
then brought out four sandwiches which
he proceeded to MUNICH with vigor, fin
ishing them to the final crumb, his eyes
fixed the time as If in expectation, on the
basket. His hopes did not deceive him.
No sooner were the sandwiches eaten
than there eOnerged six beautiful little.
lobster patties. on which the small boy
fingered with an unctuous air of relish,
stopping occasionally to bite at two or
three little biscuits, as an accompani-F
ment which would prolong the agreeable
sensations. But everything comes to an
end; the patties disposed of, it became
evident that tho main part of the feast
had come to an end. The small boy
made several efforts to dislodge from
the interior of his storehouse some fresh
piece de resistance, but his attempts were
Intellectual Still, some consolatlves re-
NAMED to him. He found three savory
tarts of currantjelly and card ofsponge
cake. also three or four little pound
cakes richly frosted with eggs and sugar
and some almond macaroons.
AS the last of these vanished, the small
boy sighed gloomilY. He searched once
more through the basket and regarded
with ecstacy the treasure trove when he
somewhat unexpectedly fished up the ODD
tart. The charm of this surprise led him
into wild beliefs of further diversions,
but his groupings were Intellectual. His
eye alighted, however, on his discarded
chicken bones, which he locked upon
as an embarrassment of riches while the
banquet was still spread. He now found
few minutes pleasure In taking them in
his small even teeth and grinding them
almost to the very marrow. But it was
| comparatively useless-ittle save bone
and cartilage remained -%y1.4
But it was evident that all the small
boys resources were not yet exhausted.
He now Produced his fruit, meditatively
ranging it along the impromptu shelf
with view to artistic effect, first an ap-
pie, then a peach, then a pear, and so
on through long row. No better sign
of repletion could have been given, per-
haps, than this tendency to aesthetic treat
ment Of his remaining privileges. But
he nevertheless began to nlbble at his
dessert with dainty relish; first he ate the
apples, round, ruddy and mellow; then
the luscious peaches; and at last the pears
AS he neartd the end of the row, either
from failing appetite or some inslstent
thought. his energies began to flag. He
paused and seemed to deliberate. -"
Two pears were left, by all odds the
poorest OF the lot; w1thered, little green
Notwithstanding. The small boy
looked at them with sigh, then turned
and for the first time in three quarters
of an hour regarded his companion, with
sort of speculation in his eye.
"Please, Sir" he said, smoo thly ant
ingratiatingly, ''won't you have
pearl" -,.f. 'h 1..."-
He proceeded to offer choice between
the remaining two. Mr.. Ferdinand Brook
politely replied, "Eat them yourself, m,
boy" ..at: ...r..-. s.s......f 90,
But Wilfred's sense of generosity hal
, finally mastered him. ''Please take one,
he said, sweetly, looking up with can
did smile. s'Grandma told me to give 20
part Of my lunch"
This was uttered unblushingly. Nj
Ferdinand Brooks could find no words t
express his feelings. Was this crsatur
: HUMANE Several times during the repas
or which he had been disregarde
spectator, he had been so filled with ois
> may at the small boys greediness an
! voracity that he had almost uttered ez
carnations of horror. Twice during til
episode of the lobster patties he had bee
on the point of urging him to desist fc
= tear of consequences, then refrained, wit
the conviction that he should not
wholly unhappy to see the child Ill.
few writings of inward torture. a fe'
sharp pains cutting like swords, a fe,
qualms of nausea, might reduce the lit
monster to something more closely II
sembling humanity.
The small boy had however, survive
+ the experience. HIS eyes looked littl
heavy and sleepy, and there was a sligl
u flush on his pale, waxy face. He ST.
9 stood offering the pears, apparently will
{ out suspicion that he was adding lnsu
=. to injury.
. "Grandma told me to give you part
. my lunch, he urged again, pressing I'll
u fruit on his escort.
Ell ~ don't want it," said Ferdinan
L briefly and conv1ncingly. 1t indee
seemed absurd to feel wroth ag ainst th
} insignificant elf; nevertheless the mo
quito stung him.
- His offers thus rejected, the small be
8 ate the pairs himself, then, heaved
y huge sigh of content. He packed Il
napkins back into the lunch pannier, or
thrust it under the seat. For some tin
, he kneeled on the floor, looking insiC
!. the other basket, his investigation gi
ing him apparently, the keenest plessur
d He drew out the puppy presently, al
without disturbing It's slumbers, 8
down in his seat and began to nurse
,f He looked so happy, SO innocent, wi
:. the tiny white dog cuddled up to b
/ throat, that Mr.. Ferdinand Brooks begs
: to relent. The picture was charmil
i one. The little fellow crooned a 10
Is lullaby, softly patting the round wool
:. head. There was q gentleness, a tende
Il ness, displayed which cancelled the enc
81 y ~ :