News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1883-04-26
Jacks Mission.
BY KATE KIRK.

BY KATE KIRK.
''There amt no use CRYING, Ted, We
must try again. that's all. -
''But I'm so tired" whimpered Ted
digging his knuckIes into his eyes.
som I tired, " responded Jack in q
voice full Of tears which he bravely re-
pressed. Lets go over there and try
our luck again. III play for We, but l
can't sing. 1t hurts me here, placing
his hand on his chest.
They crossed the street to a spot
where a group of men where standing.
Jacks hands, numb with cold, could
scarcely hold the squeally violin, while
Ted's feet shuffied clumsily on the side
walk in a vain attempt to keep time to
the dismal music. Warmly-clad men
and women hurried by, never deigning
TO glance at the young minstrels. Doubt
less many Of them, when seated at their
warm fresides, would shed tears of pity
over a graphic newspaper account OF
two homeless boys standing in the win
try twilight, the thermometer at zero,
striving to earn sufficient to induce their
souls to abidea while longerin their fam
ished bodies; yet on this particular even
ing not one Of the hundred pedestrians
paused to look ut the little fellows. Even
the lean. hungry dog that had been
searching in the gutter for bone, skunk
away, as if finding it unpleasant to
come in contact with misery greater
than his own.
"'Tain't no use, jack" said Ted,
''peopIe won't take the trouble to find a
penny for us when it's so cold.
Jack nodded a doleful assent to the
words, tucked the violin under his arm,
and the two walked away in istless
manner. They wandered on for some
time, and finally stopped before a house
and gazed with longing eyes into the
basement dining-rOom where a family of
three persons were seated at the table
"Oh, my it looks nice in there"
whispered Ted Look, Jack, they've
got turkey an sweet pertaters Wish
we had some. See that girl with the
yeller hair an white frockl Amt she
purty?"
eyes, - replied his companion YEARLY.
s'Some folks have good times and others
don't. I've been watching the dog by
the fire. Isuppose he'll get a nice din
ner too"
At that moment servant pulled down
the shade.
"What did she do that for?" com
planned Ted. eve didn't do no harm
Jest peepin' at them"
As the lads turned regretfullv away,
they were accosteJ by forIorn-Iooing
specimen of manhood, who, like them
selves, shivcred with the cold
''Why are you on the street a night
like this, Youngsters? Why don't you
go home p be asked.
"'Cause we amt got no home, re-
piled Ted
"Poor lads I thought I was the
only homeless wayfarer abroad this bit
ter night Haven't you any parents ?"
"Never had any. Had a nanny
once, but she's dead. Jack never had
nobody"
"Then you are not brothers 2"
ono" replied Jack, speaking with
difficulty. When I was a baby my
father gave me to Ted's mother and
promised to take care of me. but he went
off and We never heard from him. Guess
he's dead too. Oh. Ted - he cried sud
denly, grasPing his companions hand,
az feel so bad. I-can't-st and-up
-any-longer."
Perishing with cold and hunger ~
mutterad the tramp compassionateIy.
Hold on a minute and will see if
can beg hot drink for you.
Lifting the boy IN his arms he knocked
at the door.
viii you give me a cup of tea and
crust for this child, who is dying from
cold and want Of nourishment?' ' he asked
of the servant who answered the sum-
mons.
Who IS it, Mary?" called a voice
from the dining room.
ga man with a starving child asking
for food, replied the girl.
"Give them something, Mary. 'TwouId
be dreadful to turn a hungry dog away
such a cold night" The speaker step
ped into the hall. Us it your child?
she asked, addressing the tramp.
''No, madam. / simply found him at
your door starving"
He cast one glance toward the lady,
let his head fail forward and began to
tremble as if attacked with sudden fit
of ague.
''You must be very cold; viii you not
go into the kitchen while the girl pre-
pares a hot drink for the poor little fell
Iow?" she asked
Despite the mans tattered garments
and poverty-stricken air, therewas a ring
In his voice, an indescribahle something
about him which caused the lady TO adj
dress him in a certain tone Of respect.
'In the name of humanity, I thank
YOU. madam. There are two children;
but the one in my arms seems quite ILL., "
The mistress Of the house glanced
cu1iousIy at him; then, turning to the
child clingin1 to her dress, said:
'.Ruu up stairs to papa, Daisy"
The little girl obeyed reluctantly, and
the mother went to the kitchen. where
she found the man seated by the fire,
still holding the sick boy in his arms, and
Ted huddIed near the range with am ex-
preston of intense satisfaction ON his
small. pinched face, while Bridget, the
cook, eyed the party with extreme dis
pleasure. Mrs. Comstock tucked up her
dainty robe, and with her white ieweIed
hands helped to prepare a meal for them.
Ted ate ravenousIy Of the goodies placed
before him. Jack swallowed a cup Of
hot tea, but refused the food The tramp
also politely declined the generous din
ner placed before him
9. Something must be done for this
child. said Mrs. Comstock, looking pitt /