The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-11-08
A Pleasant Surprise.
HXLTELIl, my little man, what's the
w matter ?"


sharply, but not unkindly, by n little old
gentleman, who had run against thin
ly clad boy standing shivering In front
of dry goods store just closing for the
day.
There was something in the gentle
mans tone that caused the boy to look
up wishfully.
I'll have just been discharged, sir"
he answered, struggling with sob that
kept rising in his throat
"By the people in thereY :"
eyes, sir"
"I hope it wasn't for doing anything
bad said the gentleman, with sharp
look into the boys eyes.
"What an old brute 1 am to hint at
such thing" he added in mutter, de-
tecting a hurt look in the truthful, hon
est eyes that met his own.
"They say they don't need me any
longer said the boy, "and that the rea-
son they send me away"
"How much were they giving you ?"
"Ten shillings a week, sir.'
"Humph !"
sit wasn't great deal, sir" the boy
added, "but it helped mother"
''How old are you 2" inquired the gen.
tleman.
Nearly eight, sr''
"Any fatherY You've just said you
had a mother"
"Father died year ago, sir, and left
me and mother and sissy-sissy's not
quite three and of course can't help
mother any YETI
"And what does your mother do ~
"She takes in sewing when she can
get it, and the ten shllmgs got helped
along but now"
The little fellows voice broke down,
and he was turning to go when the old
gentleman stopped him.
"Look here" he said abruptly; "I've
notion of taking boy myself. How
do you think, now, you'd like to go with
mep"
81 am willing to do whatever mother
says" was the answer.
"Well, let us go and see her."
The gentleman's quickness took the
boy by surprise; but they were soon on
their way toward the latter's house.
"That's my grandpa's house," said
the boy, as they passed a stately man.
sion.
And who is your grandpa, pray 2"
"His name is John Warlow."
The boy would have been a little
startled had he noticed the quick, sharp
| glance the gentleman turned upon him.
"What's your name ?" the gentleman
continued.
"Walter Boyd.''
"Mr. Warlow's your mothers father,
suppose.
eyes, SIR"
"Do you ever go to see your grandpap"
The boy was silent and embarrassed
for moment, and then answered:
"No, SIR"
Then observing that the questioner
eyed him curiously, Walter stammered
a confused explanation to the effect that
he had heard how his grandpa had got
ten very angry with his mother for mar
rying his father because he wasn't rich,
and had never seen or spoken to her
afterwards.
"Do you know what your grandma's
name was before she married your grand
pa ?" the gentleman resumed.
"Yes, sir it was Edith Sanford, I've
been told, but she died long ago."
The old gentleman gave another quick
look, but again Walter failed TO notice it.
His eyes, just then, were turned long
ingly toward window containing q
tempting display Of holiday goods, it
being Christmas eve.
"Let's go in" said the little old gen.
tleman, and the two entered the shop.
The gentleman picked out costly
pocket knife, with ever so many queer
contrivances in it, and a handsome wax
doll, which he bought and put in his
pocket, and then hurried away, though
the latter would have gladly remained
longer to feast his eyes on the brilliant
stock of treasures.
At last they reached the ungainly tene-
ment in which Walters mother occu-
pied poorly furnished room up four
flights of stairs.
AS he looked upon her face the old
gentleman seemed strangely moved;
and there was noticeable culver in his
voice as he mentioned to the widow his
offer to employ her son, of whose dis
charge he at the same time apprised her.
"But don't be concerned, madam" he