The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1884-12-26

''extravaSant expenditure OF hard-earned
money for foolish toys for foolish children"
Take it away take it away !" she shrieked
| as frankie blew loud blast on his trumpet
my head is nearly bursting ~ And clapping
her hands to her ears she fled precipitately
from the room, followed by the laughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Benson.
Toward midday Sadie strolled up on Eighth
street. wandering along, looking first in one
window and then in another. At one she
halted to admire some dolls, and while there
she took piece Of candy from her pocket and
was raising it to her mouth.
II like candy" squeaked voice close be-
side her. Looking around, she discovered
mite of humanity who had crept mp unob-
served gazing up wistfully into her face.
''Then you shall have this" she quickly re-
piled, offering him the candy, which he eagerly
seized. His clothes were a medley of patches,
his shoes were out and torn cap crowned his
flaxen hair
she argued. 81 think I'll take him home with
me. I'm sure mamma and papa will give him
something. I'll ask him at any rate"
Little boy" she said, edo you want to go
home with mo and get Christmas cake?"
"Oh yes, me To-" exclaimed the little fell
low, clapPing his tiny cold hands, while his
thin face beamed all over with SMILES
Sadie took him by the hand and retraced
her steps up the street.
"Oh just see there, girls! There's Sadie
Benson leading little beggar r' remarked one
of Sadie's acquaintance to her companion, as
they passed along on the opposite side of the
street.
swell, 1 never 1t is her, indeed I would
not be seen doing that on this street." an
swered the girl with proud, scornful curl of
her lip.
But Sadie kept right on with her protege,
unconscious of the disparaging comments of
her friends, and Indifferent to the vulgar gaze
of the gay crowd of pasJersby.
At a corner they encountereda policeman.
Lost boy, Ell? Shall take charge of him,
Miss p said the policeman, reaching out his
big hand toward the boy
"Oh no, sir" answered Sadie, shrinking
away, with the frightened little fellow clinging
to her hand Hes not lost; I'm going to
take him to my home and give him some
candy"
"Why, bless my soul !" responded the police
man, as he looked closely at the boy ''That's
Charley D-'s boy. An honester or harder
working man is not to be found in all Pha-
delphia; but he's been sick long time, and 1
am afraid he hasn't much to be joyful over
this year."
This ended the colloquy, and Sadie and her
charge hurried on. Up the great stone steps
and into the wide hall, shouting GIVE got
him I've got him, Sarah ~
But before the astonished housemaid could
reply, Sadie was in the stting-room dragging
fed her parents with:
GIVE got him, mamma and papa I've got
him ~
SCOT who2 What is it2" they chorused in
surprise.
"Why, don't you see this little boy? found
him on Eighth street. He asked me for
candy, so | thought I'd bring him home Po-
liceman knows him; says his fathers good
man, but is sick aud is awful poor, and"
stop stop !" interrupted MIR. Benson, with
smile. Lets get at the right end Of the
story"
When Sadie had quite recovered her natural
self, she related the story over again. Sarah
was summoned, aud presently, with her hat
and shawl, disappeared through the door,
Aunt Matilda started into the room, but
paused abruptly on the threshold as she discov-
cred frankie and the little stranger at play.
"Well. Jane Benson, she exclaimed, depre-
catingly, ''if you are going to allow your hus-
.band and your daughter your elegant home to
make refuge for street gamins you're going
to introduce some dreadful disease Now,
mark my wordp'
Matilda" answered Mr.. Benson, paying no
heed to her ominous prophesy, ''can you re-
call to mind an incident which occurred in your
childhood days2 How, when for weeks you
anticipated the greatest of pleasures the super
intendent of the school by an oversight left
your name from the roll, and failed to share
with the rest ~
II can, most distinctly"
'Do you also remember Matilda, how the
tears flowed, and how fundamentally full
your heart was of grief at the disappoint-
ment?"
That do but where's the comparison in
this case ?" and she tapped the carpet impa-
tiently with her foot.
"Just here" answered Mr.. Benson; ''this
little fellow, like yon, is all expectation. Sup
pose we were to heartlessly turn him, without
some recognition of our sympathy, into the
street. Can you appreciate his feelings? ?"
Matilda did not reply, but nervously paced
up and down the room. A ray of sunshine
was about to pierce that callous old heart She
at length sat down, giving vent to long
drawn sigh.
'Now, Matilda" spoke Mr.. Benson, ener
geticaliy, Il intend to provide for that child,
and want your assistance" with significant
wink at his wife, Il want you to buy him
pair of shoes"
"Oh, yes, do; that's dear good aunty I"
exclaimed Sadie throwing her arms affection
ately about Aunt Matildas neck; ''see his poor
little cold toes peeping out from the broken
leather" she pleaded.
"Well, now, believe aunty will, for your
sake, Sadie" she slowly answered, brushing
something slyly off her cheek.
The happy little fellow was dressed ont in a
comfortable suit of Frankies, and the new
shoes put on. Sarah made favorable report
on her return, and was soon on her way back,
leading the little boy and carrying basket of
substantial food, ''shaken together, pressed
down and running over" and late in the after
noon well-dressed gentleman was observed
to leave Mr.. DIS home with light, elastic
step, but what he said or did no one ever
knew.
Sadie went to bed that Christmas night with
heart OVERLOOKING with happiness. "God has
paid me tenfold with quiet conscience and
cheerful heart" thought Mr.. Benson more
than once during the evening, and Aunt Ma
tilda, in quiet conversation with Mrs Benson,
admitted that children were of some use in