The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-04-21

F you look like with clean face.
 The child laughed. and obeyed.
 He returned to Mrs Bonner with a bright face. And now, he was indeed quite pretty little fellow.
 ingly. Miss Foster doesn't give us stuff like thai. Thanl y missus.'
 You can come here every day, If you like said the lady. '- You must come to the kitchen door, though. There is always enough for another. Heigho. If you'll come, perhaps can ind few warm stockings for you.
 .Thanky. missus,r replied the boy, - I'll come"
 He said no more, but he felt like one in a dream.
 A dinner like tha, every day. It seemed impossible.
 You'll be sorry for this, I'm afraid. num- said old Martha. when the child was gone. Those street boys aren't ,o De trusted. and wonder al you. mum Il do.'
 .l wonder al myself" said Mrs. Bon- ner. :. But suppose |, comes. because of hls being such a little creature. and so hungry. thought of poor little John, ~fo died. and how some dead mother may have loved this baby. You don't begrudge him meal Martha?"
 Martha shook her head. and went back to ,he kitchen.
 Something mus; be going 10 happen 'to Mrs. Bonner" she said to herself. never saw anything like this before. She ;ha, won't let the fine quality cross her door-siil."
 But. despite Mar,ha's prophecies. no,h- ing happened. except that Mrs. Bonner went to the village s,ofe and bought some stockings and some flannel. The boy came next day and was fed as before. Afterwards Mrs. Bonner presented him with the stockings and shirts she had made. and with a comb and brush, and plenty Of good advice, besides. Martha was astonished and indignant.
 "S,ragglers never come to any good. num-" she said. solemnly. ]" "When we are robbed and murdered you'll be sorry you have encouraged gutter-boy like that"
 Ru, Mrs Bonner turned upon her sharply. and bade her hold her tongue.
 In fact. miracle seemed to have been worked The hard, stern woman had be- come soft-hcared She fed the boy. clothed him. taught h,m to know right from wrong. Soon she began to teach him te read and 10 write He learned readily. IL was sight io see hisa sitting beside the old lady. q, the library table. while she put en her glasses tn crtletse h.s pot-hooks. which lanes that w4s the boys name made very well. al taings considered.
 ' Mrs. bonner must be losin' her sense,. sid Martha to herself But tie story face - Mrs Bonner had gentle look nowadays. and all seemed brighter m the house.
 50 Christmas eve came. with letter for Martha. \ boy brough, Il to the door. and the old woman spelled il through her glasses. and took it ,o her mistress.
 " l; seems 10 be from my niece" she said. or abou, her rather. IL tells me she's very i'll. and wants me to come over. It's signed. A Neighbor.' Sally must be bad II she can, write herself. And where are the boys I'm quite upset and frightened.
 You must go to her at once, Martha. said Mrs. Bonner. ''Yoa can drive old Koan. and shall no; wan, the horse for q couple of days. put him to the Ugh, cart. and don't hurry back ii you re needed
 :" II seems wrong 10 leave you alone on Christmas eve" sad Martha. bu, needs must. And the chicken is stuffed and the pc made. Bui couldn't send some one io stay until come back =
 '' No. no.' said Mrs Bonner No
 And with her own hands she helped Martha harness the meek old horse and led him ou, into the road. These two women did everything for themselves.
 Then Marina. trembling with agitation. climbed into the vehicle. and Mrs Bon ner watched her out of sight.
 e James will be over thls evening" she said 10 herself. as she stirred the fire |. must talk to him. must take him away from all those people and send him 10 school" She smiled 10 herself. What brigh, boy he is. ..' she said. He'll do me credit"
 The copy-book was on the table cider and nuts. and apples, and gingerbread on tray: and Mrs. Bonner absolutely walked to the window and peeped through the curtain to watch for James. She did no, wal, long. In few min- u,es a little dark figure skuTricd up the garden-pa,h. and the bell tinkled softly. Mrs. Bonner vent to the door. and James rushed in. and closed and bolted it behind h:m
 The light from the lamp in the en,ry fell upon h's face. l; was white with terror. He elrt-hed Mrs. Bonner's dress in bnih hands.
 Come income in .' he whispered. -'l have ssch dreadful thing to ie.! you. piE the blinds do~n. No one can see us from outside now. On. what shall do.- what shall do =
 What is the matter. James = asked Mrs. Bonner, sitting doan IT her arm chair. while the boy erouched. shiyering. before the grate.
 To her surprise he turned towards her and sank down upon his knees, folding his hands. as she had taugh, him 10 do when ne prayed.
 'Oh, you don't believe am bad enough