The Iola register., 1881-09-30

to unite the knot in the old, faded silk
cord.
The stranger watched her with
tremulous smile on his lips. taking the
coin which she presently placed in his
hand with an almost tender touch. Then
he went and got Janey's loaf for her.
and lifted her off the stool.
THANK you kindly, sur"
Twogreat tears splashed heavily down
as Janey took her parcel, but she man.
aged to smile at her father as he put
her into her little cart.
She told him of the gentleman who
had given her the silver quarter, but
said nothing of her message to master
Fred" I" Father might feel bad" the
wise little woman said to herself.
Then there was her shopping to do.
The tiny packets of tea and sugar to
get, and the " drop O. milk for baby"
and altogether Janey was in quite aglow
of excitement when they reached home
again. The boys cries of delight and
her mothers wonder when she put the
tea and sugar in her hand, filled the
little loving heart with happiness.
"But, dearie, you'll miss it sore,"
whispered Mrs. Dixon.
Janey's face flushed, then she touched
the old silk cord.
II have this yet, mother. an some.
times I'll mebbe forget it's gone.''
"Bless you, my lamb" said the
mother, fondly, as she stroked the little
thin hands busy untying the strings so
that the boys could "see the bread our
selves" as the poor little chaps said.
They had each been provided with a
slice, and Janey, with sob of happi-
ness in her throat, was feeding baby
with some spoonfuls of warmed milk,
when quick knock came at the door.
''Preserve US! who's that?" cried
Mrs. Dixon, with frightened look.
"There's naught to be feared on,
lass" said her husband, sturdily.
.'Come in!''
The door opened and
Its the gentleman as was good to
mer' said Janey, with little as
tonished gasp.
The stranger came forward smiling
and holding out his hand.
cts" said John Dixon, stumbling
to his feet.
"It's Master Fredr' cried Mrs.
Dixon. throwing her apron over head,
and beginning to sob.
"Well, my good woman, don't cry
about it," said master Fred" laugh
ing and patting her shoulder.
Such exclamations and explanations
followed! They had to tell all about the
people at home, and then ''Master
Fred'' had to tell all about his big farm
''out West" and his horses and cows,
and then bit by bit the story of John
Dixon's unavailing search for work was
told.
s.How lucky" cried '.Master Fred"
while poor John Dixon looked up in
surprise. "rve just been wanting a
man like you, to take charge of the
young beasts I'm raising for market,
and there's q small house on the place
will do just for you, so if you like it, the
jobs yours"
Of course. John Dixon ''liked it,"
and said so, warmly.
"All right" ''Master Fred" ratified
on. "Can you start day after to-mor-
row. Mrs. DixonP I leave for home
then, and you can stay with us till your
own house is ready. My wife will be as
pleased to have you as will. Yes,"
he went on, laug Ching, II have a wife,
Mrs. Dixon. a dear little girl not much
taller than Janey there"
At which they all laughed again.
You see they were so happy it didn't
take much to make them laugh.
20, by the way" said master Fred"
"can yoplet me have supper with you
tonight, Mrs. Dixon? I brought my
picnic basket along, and we'll have q
real old-fashioned supper of ham and
eggs. Bless the woman, what is she
crying about nown'
20, Master Fred" sobbed Mrs. Dix
on, catching his hand, '.it's COS I'm 80
happy. an 'cos it seems like a bit O.
home to see you again."
'sMaster Fred" gave her hand
hearty shake and then brought big
market basket in from the hall. "Now,
Mrs. Dixon, please get supper, and I'm
going over to talk to Janey, to try and
forget how hungry am"
Janey looked up with a happy smile.
''Now, little woman, can you guess
what I've been doing since Il saw you?'
Janey shook her head.
"You can't guess, eh? Well, then,
I'll have to tell you. I've been getting
q little present for the best and dearest
little girl I know. Would you like to
see it?"
"Please, sur" said Janey, shyly.
"Shut your eyes first, then"
Janey shut them up tight.
e" Master Fred" then took a little
packet from his pocket and opened it.
'.Now look"
Janey opened her eyes quickly, and
there lying in her lap was pretty gold
chain, with her own ':lucky sixpence'
hanging from it.
"For you, dear child" said ':Master
Fred" kissing her thin cheek.
When ''Master Fred'' went back to
his hotel he left happy hearts behind
him in the little room.
"Master Fred said I could drive the
cowsr' said Sam, delightedly.
"Me, too," chimed in little Jimmie.
"See, mother, baby's laughing" said
Janey, laying her cheek against the lit
tie head.
"Sure Gods been good to u.s." said
the mother. reVerentlv. ssItss 'm8Zin'