The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-04-21
KINDNESS REWARDED.
Exchange.

Exchange
 Down m hollow, not far from the old. disused iron-foundry. where the fires had all gone out long ago. and where the very ghost of dead toll seemed lurking behind old chimneys and great piles of broken iron-work, and heaps of slsg and cinders, stood little brick house, once the prop erty of an overseer of the foundry. who. like it, had had his day. and was dead Now Mrs. Bonner lived in it-a grim. elderly lady, with face like that of < man. little. shadowy moustache upon her lip. and black eyes that even age could not dim.
 People said that she was rich. and tha, she had money put away in the secrc; places of the lonely old house. If they were right. she was brave woman. for she lived quite alone. at least half a mic from any other residence. with only few very cid servant-wenen for eempaav and protection.
 Friends. Mrs. Bonner had none She had been 3 lively. sociabie young woman fifteen years before: but iast IS her hes- dey was passing. just Il the tune when woman most needs he loYe and lender- ness of the lover of her youth. Mir. Bon Ter, who was old enough to know better. suddenly disappeared. With him san- ished two thousand pounds Mrs. hen- ners property and q young person. with pink and white complexion and big blue eyes, who made Mrs. Bonner's dresses.
 The insul,ed wife never mentioned her husbands name again. She secured herself from further plumber; soldN her peetty residence in the heart of the vil- lage. and removed 10 the small brick house near the deserted foundry From ,ha, she paid no visits and received none. and her heart grew very hard.
 Old Martha alone remained in her service. To her Mrs. Bonner was never unkind. Martha had been the frs, ;o break the news of Mir. Boaner's flight to her mistress. and, in the warmth of her sympathy. had mathematical him and her. and all tha, they took
 Mrs. Bonner had never forgotten this anaihema.
 The rest of her small world were her enemies. She had stood before them sighted. deserted woman. She hated them, because they had been spectators of her misery.
 Alone in this secluded house the two women had lived for years. when one day there came 10 the door small. dirty faced waif. who carried I baske, m his hand, and who. having pushed open the door. had penetrated as far as the parior itself, when a strong hand came down upon his collar. and a voice cried Come, now, wha, do you want here -
 II was Mrs. Bonner who spoke
 I am Seiiin' iozen~eS uas .he an swer, Tn sort of professional-beggar whine Lozenges, two papers for six cents"
 What should wan, of lozenges ?" replied the lady. You'd no business to open the door.''
 Then glance into the grmy little elderly wonan's heart.
 Who sends you out to sell lozenges al your age!" she asked.
 II amt sent; eome,' replied the boy.
 "Oh." said the old lady. Bu, your mother and father know, l sup pose.
 .'l never had any replied the child. used to be in syium. bu; they used to beat us. and run away. Now live Hfku o44 MISS [ TOSttf- ne anu some other fcllers- Shes cheap. because she's got cellar, and some folks don, ike the rats. don't care. though"
 Poor child." said Mrs Bonner. thought of a little boy she had lost years before making her voice more kindly than usual. '' Poor child You look pale and pinched. suppose you often have very little to cat
 The boy nodded.
 Martha '" cried Mrs. Bonner, sud denly.
 At this the old sersan, troued ou, of the kitchen, and stood staring al the un- wonted apparstion.
 The impotence of him." she ex- claimed. Il might have known twasn't safe to leave the door unlocked :"
 No matter, Martha said Mrs. Bon ner. sls there any of tha, chicken-pie Jeff :'
 Plenty" replied Martha
 Put it on the table, and iet this child eat all he wants said Mrs Bonner.
 Martha obeyed. She had no choice but to obey, but she did SO unwillingly. And when the little creature had thor oughly satisfied himself with the un- wonted delicacy, she looked suspiciously after his spoon, and locked it up in the closet
 All this while Mrs Bonner watched the boy with curicCs eyes Now and then she smiled softly 10 herself and as Martha locked up the spoons, she said kindly: There's a in basin and