Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Anacortes, Wash. Ter.) 1882-1887, 1882-12-30
MRS THOMPsON's VISITORS.

"Please, a'am, don't you want to
buy some matches?" said a sweet
voice. The lady addressed gazed for
a moment upon two little girls stand
ing upon her front porch. They
could not have been more than six OF
eight years of aSe-such wee things.
out in the cold November winds, the
eldest carrying packet under her
arm. and the younger a purse
clutched tightly in her chubby little
hands.
NO, we have plenty of matches :
said the lady, kindly.
Yes, ma am" was the meek reply,
and the little girls had turned down
the steps.
How cold they looked so scantily
dressed: and their manners, how diff
ferent from the scores of peddlers
which tramped the streets daily. Mrs.
Thompson could not shut the door.
Little girls" said she.
"Yes. ma'am," said a quiyering
voice, as they turned back. Mrs.
Thompson saw that the blue eyes of
the younger was filed with tears.
Aren't you cold?"
''Yes, ma'am.'
Come in, then, and get warm. /
want to talk to you"
The little girls came forward. and
Mrs. Thompson led them into the
nice warm dinning-room.
Now let me take off your things"
said the lady, land You shall eat your
supper while have chat with you.
Tea is just ready"
please, ma'am, We are not beg
gars," said the eldest one, her pale
cheeks flushing.
"Of course you are not" said Mrs.
Thompson, quickly; you are my
visitors"
The little girls looked slyly at each
other, and then dropped their heads
with pleasant smile, and then per-
mitted to have their hoods and shawls
removed.
'Now," said Mrs. Thompson, II am
going to make you little present,
to take home to your mamma. My
friends often make me presents, and
if | can | sometimes return them: but
as many of my friends are wealthy,
very often | can say no more than
thank you l like to get presents
very much, don't you?"
"Once we did, before papa died,
but no one makes lis presents now
said the elder little girl.
"Well, l am going to. and l love
to have visitors, too, very much; and,
best of all, little girl visitors; and SO,
now that / have become acquainted
with you shall expect you to come
and see me often Indeed, l shall
feel very much hurt if you do not
come"
"Oh, we will come" said the elder
one. IL think it is nice to have such
a sweet place to come visiting, don't
you, GertieF'
The little one nodded her head
and then Mrs Thompson, with gentle
fingers, again robed the little girls,
saying,
You may bring the basket back
the next time you come and see me-
"Yes, ma'am," they replied in
chorus, clutching hold of each others
hands. as they started from the
porch.
Mrs. Thompson watched them
until they turned a corner, and then
she went into the house, wondering
if she should ever see them again.
But scarcely week passed before
they came to restore the basket, and
after that they became frequent Wis
itors, always meeting with kind re
ception. At last holiday arrived
and again Mrs. Thompson found
them upon the front porch.
please, ma'am" said the smaller
one, bright smile breaking out al
over her face, ''we have come to speno
all day with YOU"
Yes. we don't have any matches
to sell to-day" said the other.
Il am so glad.' said Mrs. Thomp
son. Come right in and take of
your things" and taking each by the
hand, she led them into the parlor full
of grown-up ladies.
The little ones hung back. the
elder one remarking.- i
"Please, ma'am, we didn't know
that you had other company"
"Oh, that's no difference" smiled
Mrs. Thompson. Ladies, let mt
make you acquainted with my two
little friends. Nellie and Gertie Har
rington :,
The ladies' smiled and nodded
though some could not conceal theI
surprise, and Mrs. Thompson, to pu
the little ones more at their ease