The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1884-10-11
TENDER--HEARTED.
4 Texans Adventure with = Little Mateh
Girl.
lst. Louis Globe Democrat.1

|
| A big-boned Texan, something over
six feet high, with an enormous broad
brimmed hat, and a sweeping mustache.
reaching nearly to his shoulders, stood
at the Laclede Hotel Office, carelessly OK
aiming the register. A slight twitching
at his coat skirts was passed by unheeded,
but more vigorous pull caused him to
look around, expecting to greet joking
friend, or something Of that sort He
saw nothing, and was turning back to
the register leaves again, when his glance
fell upon such wee mite Of girl, whose
: head was such short distance from the
floor that it was no wonder he had not
seen her. The Withholding face bent
down to the little one, and in deep bass
voice asked: WHAT is it, little gal 2"
please, mister, won't you buy my
matches ?" came in weak, childish tones:
so low that the words could not have
been understood had the appeal not been
reinforced by the holding up of box Of
matches, the corners Of the paper box
all dog-eared and miserably soiled.
The little figure was barefooted, aud
her one calico garment rent, faded and
torn.
"No; I don't want any to-day, sissy"
said the Texan.
Please, mister, won't you buy my
matches ?" with second pull 1T the coat.
The man turned again, impatiently.
and glanced at the little one; then. a Il
ashamed, and with furtive glance
around as if to see if he was unobseiv6d.
put his fingers in his vest pocket, and the
next instant q bright half dollar cleaned
in the little grimy fingers. With d half
sigh the big-hearted fellow said, half to
himself: "Poor little cuss.
Please, mister, don't you want the
matches, and haint got no changer
"Oh, HI, no; keep the change and
matches, too"
Holding the precious coin in both
hands, the match girl vanished Ike Z
shadow through the front door, and thas
Texan, with a muttered "what fool 4
am, followed -
Around the corner and down Hirth
street battered the little naked feet. mn
conscious that she was followed. and m
one Of the streets devoted to small deaf
ers and perfect nest Of pawn-shone
Into one Of the least clean and imnoain~
of these she darted and whispered como.
thing to the woman, who took e paper
the child. The child tore of the peper
with nervous fingers, and there was The
sole treasure Of her heart -her only M, J.
session-hef doll. She Rugged II 56her
breast and kissed it. What was said ~
tween the woman and child could moi -
heard, but when the, little Wait laid INA
haf-dollar on the counter the vou6an
shook her head and pushed it beck 49,
Tar toward the child, Is Il her resolntio1
might not hold out very steadfast Tha
child looked amazed, but turned u 9, I
hugging her dolly, and at the dor e1end
the Texan, with : very suspicious NOS
ture on his cheek and : big lump s. IL
throat 81 q -sf''- q Il
"I've got . little eirl like Won u,
home, said he. Come along and shov
me where you live."
Well, you may BE- sure that the s;c,
mother and the little girl were randered
more comfortable, for an hour afterwsr6
she had receipt for months rert n
her hands, and doctors oafxiape 'stnod
1t the door Of that tenemert ho1sa
And such WAS the story thao ~ sf6x6
b the reporter By the besheortoa T1SSS
Who ~ night leit NE Leolede TT
- aeqa upqq he wide rl12n F.
vo1oo ~ hge1A-hoaneA AsS1s,