The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-05-01

4 wa
much travel at this time of the year"
"I'll take the best care / can OF her, sa
1; I'm going to Boston" and the conduct
rodd d and touched Nelly's cheek and dl
app AIRED.
ne seemed to look upon everybody as b
friend. She walked with unsteady, sho
steps to the other end of the car, and Il
bride, who was pleasant looking girl, spo
to her kindly and gave her some candy, b
am sure that presently the child said, as 81
had said to me, that her mother was dea
for I saw the girl bend over her and flush
little, while her eyes filed with tears. l da
say she thought of her own mother who
she had lately left, and she put her ar
around the child and kissed her, and afte
ward seemed to be telling her story
which she smiled now and then.
/ read for while, but in the middle of I'll
afternoon fell as eep and when 1 wake
again the car lamps we're lighted and looI
| ed for the little traveller, who was standing
the passage-way of the car. She had take
off her hat and there was evidently somethin
wrong with it, for she was looking at
anxiously and trying to fasten somethin
which was broken. / tried to beckon her t
me, but in the seat just beside her was tn
priest, stout, unsympathetic looking oil,
gentleman, and was half amused and hal
touched to see her give the hat to him ant
show him where to fasten the strap of it
He was evidently much confused; he ever
blushed, but he did what she asked him
with his clumsy fingers, and then put the
hat on for her, as she stood before him and
bent down her head as if he would have had
to reach. up to it. She was going
away then, but he stopped her and
gave her some money from his pocket;
she came step or two nearer
to him and held up her face to kiss him, and
then he looked out of the window a minute,
and after ward turned and looked at his
neighbors appealingly. 1t had been like q
flower dropped into his prOsaic life, imag-
inc; he was evidently quite surprised and
pleased by so touching e confidence.
1t must have been long, dull day for a
child to spend, but she was as good as pos
sible, and did not give anybody the least
trouble. We talked with each other about
her, and felt as il she were under the care of
every one of us could not help thinking
how often we are at each others mercy as
we go through this world, and how much
better it would be if we were as trustful
and unsuspicious as this little child, and
only looked for kindness at our neighbors'
hands.
Just as it was growing dark she came to
me and put her hand into mine. and gave it
4 little pull.
Come and see the bird" said she, and /
suddenly became aware of the chirping of a
robin somewhere near US. 1t was sunny
sound to hear in the winter twilight, with
The rafting of the train and shrek Of the
whistles, for it was generally the note of
robin who was going to sleep on his nest in
IN spple tree, or high on an elm bough, some
IsrlJ snmmer evening. But Nelly led me
,oward the old lady with so many bundles,
and found one Of her treasures was a bird
age, and there, sure enough, was the red
breast, fat fellow with smooth feathers,
Who .winked and blnked at us, and stopped
1is ohirping as we stood beside him.
sShe seemed pleased with him, the little
yirl does" said the birds owner. "I'd like
o have her see the rest of my birds. Twenty
hrse I've got In all; thirteen of ems canaries.
The woman in the other part of the house is
aking care of 'em while I'm gone. Pm
,oing on to Stockbridge to spend Thanks
living with my niece. 1t was great piece
, work at frst to get started, and I didn't
eel at first s could leave the birds, but /
now Martha's folks would feelhurtif Iput
hem off again this year about coming. But
had to take the old robin with me. Some
olks said it might be the death Of him, bu.
e's never been one mite scared. His cage
tands-in awindow at home where he sees
sight O. passing. He's the tamest thing you
ver saw Now I'm so fur on my way, I'm |
lad I did makeup my mind 10 start, though
I'll be bad getting there in the night. / |
mink achange is good for anybody, and then |
IN so tired down most O the time with the |
irds that don't get out much, and then |
here's nobody to fetch in the news"
"Why don't you bring up q few carrier |
igeons with the rest of your family?" said /, |
nd this seemed to amuse her very much.
"Sskes alive / don't want no more" said
he; 'sbut then I've said that all along; all
he folks that keeps canaries in our place
ONES to me if anything ails 'em. l was
slling this little girl if I'd known was GO
,g to see her I'd have brought along a nice
tile linnet for her; he'll sing all day long.
ut he and the one put with him is always
ghting each other, and all my other cages
too full aready. reckon you'd be good
, the little bird, wouldn't you now, dear?"
he little traveller smiled eagerly, while l
lddenly thought of the FIVE sparrows that
re sold for farthing of this worlds money
nd yet are worth so much to God.
think we were all anxious to see what
ind of woman the aunt would be, and / |
1as half afraid she would look hard hearted,
nd knew in that case l should always be
orry when thought of the little girl whose
and was so sorry to let 60. / had looked
fter her at night. had walked dozen
mes to look st her sweet little Swallowed
zee as she slept, with the doll held fast in
er arms.
At the station in the morning l found |
,me one who came to meet me, but could |
OF go till / saw theaunt / waited with the |
few minutes, and was beginning
, fear must say good by to my little trav- |
Ter and never know her fortunes. Every |
neof the passengers had given her some
hing, believe-picture papers and fruit |
nd candy, and do not know what else
nd had seen even the old priest kiss her |
God by most tenderly, and lay his hand on |
er head in what am sure was heartfelt |
leasing. 7 do not know whether it was
ONE good old Latin benediction, or q simple |
onging that God would be near to the lonely |
hid and that His saints would defend her |
s she goes through the world to Heaven.
/ was glad when l saw just the woman / |
ad wished and hoped for coming hurriedly
oward us-there was no doubt that it was
II right, she was sure of the child at glance
had fancied all the time that she must look
ike her mother.
"My dear babyp the woman said with. a
oh and caught her in her arms, while the
title girl, with quick, instructive love, put
'ut her short arms and they chung to each
'ther without word.
1t was all right, as the conductor said
gain, half to himself and half to me. After
. minute the woman said brokenly that she