Morning journal and courier., 1880-07-16
Only Half a Dollar.
But One Little Heart Made Glad with the
 Precious Gift.

But One Little Heart Made Glad with the
 Precious Gift.
 From the St. Louis Globe.l
 Yesterday big-boned Texan, something over six feet high, with an enormous broad brimmed hat and 8 sweeping moustache reaching nearly to his shoulders, stood at the Laclede Hotel office carelessly examining the register. A slight twitchinn at his coat skirts was passed by unheeded, but vigorous push caused him to look around expecting to greet a joking friend or something of the sort. He saw nothing and was turning to the register leaves again when his glance fell upon such a wee mite of a girl, whose head was such 8 short distance from the floor that it was no wonder that he did not see her. The wild looking face bent down to the little one and a deep bass voice asked, ''What it it, little gal ?''
 'sPlease, mister, won't you buy my match es ?NAAme in weak, childish tones, so low that the words could not have been understood had the appeal not been reinforced by the holding up of box of matches, the corners of the paper box all dog cared and miserably soi1ed.
 The little figure was barefooted, and the one calico garment rent, faded and torn.
 'sNo don't want any to-day, sissy" said the Texan.
 'sPlease, mister, won't you buy my match F" with second pull of the coat
 The man turned again, impatiently, and glanced at the little. one; then, as if ashamed, and with furtive glance around as if to see if he was observed, put his fingers in his vest pocket, and the next instant brinht half dol lar gleamed in the little grimy fingers. With half sigh the big-hearted fellow said half to himself, 'Poor little cuss. :"
 ''Please, mister, don't you want the match es, and hain't got no changer"
 'tOh, the devil, no keep the change and matches 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 fool am, D followed. Around the corner and down Sixth street battered the little naked feet, unconscious that she was followed, and up one of the streets devoted to small dealers and perfect nest of pawnshops. Into one of the least clean and imposing of these she darted and whispered something to the woman, who took paper parcel out of drawer and hand ed 1t to the child. The child tore off the paper with nervous fingers, and there was the sole treasure of her heart, her only pos session-her doll She hugged 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 dollar on the counter the woman shook her head, and push edit back very far towards the child, as if her resolution might not hold very steadfast. The child looked amazed but turned to go, hugging her dolly, and at the door stood the l Texan with heavy suspicious moisture up | on his cheek and a big lump in his throat. 'Ive got little girl like you at home, , said he "Come along and show me where you live"
 Well, you may be sure that the sick moth, CT and the little girl were rendered more com l fortable for an hour afterwards she had $ receipt for month s rent in her hands and { l doctors carriage stood at the door of that l tenement house. | s- II. 41-oA- 4oIl 4o 4Io< reporter by the big-hearted Texan, who las l night left the Laclede Hotel for his home up on the wide plains where range his broad 1 horned herds.