The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-28
BABl,S LITTLE RED SHOES.

Els Guernsey in Carl Pretzefs weekly
San you'll bring lem next time. papa?'
sYes, sweetheart"
"You won't forget again.
ssNo, papa won't forget this time. See,
III write it down: 0ne pair of little red
shoes for our laesie Wi lint white locks. Is
that righ,?'
syes, bat you forget tbs tassels snd little
red bows. Can you member 50 much, pspa?"
And an anxious little face with laughing
eyes of blue looked lovingly into papas own
of darker hue.
1t was q tiny home, a rented one. just big
enough 10 shelter three people, poor in every
thing cave health and love.
FADED and worn were the scanty garments
OF cotton that the brakemans wife and baby
cheerfully wore. The horn of plenty mad
not been emptied in that house; yet blithely
the coed wife sang SIS she rougheDed the
once soft, white hands striving 10 keep
happy home for Charlie and the baby.
ssTodoiekin shall have her new shoes red
bows and silk tassels, or any fallai she
wants, IL papa has to go without his dinner.
And what does my big girl want from the
other end OF the road"
"Only your safe return, Charlie. If you
knew that the whistle Of the engine, the
whiTr OF the wheels, never fails TO send q
thrill CT fear through the heart OF somebody,
who in wearing suspense waits az home,
dresding the worst, for you, baby and |.
Could you know, you'd stay at home with
Us, an sure, Pm sure"
III papa stops at home, baby would not
get her new shoes It's a silly mama 10 fear
ard trtmrle when he brakeman is sure.
foCiad careful fellow"
Ard hurrisdly catching up the lunch
L - -. 4
Pressed against the windog-pane was the
face Of little Lula sober, thoughtful coun
tenapce, little dreaming of the dangers that
surrounded "dear paPpy," but she did know
"mammy" was sad, and the 'tsars wunned
down her face'' when he was away, and that
smiles chased them away when he was home
sgaeD-
us it four, six, eight ten hours until he is
lone again, nanny"
..ywenty-iour, my darling. More than you
cansccunt yet q Bit"
Altrrily the little one played beside her
merits for poorer and overworked neighbOr,
thus earning q small pittsnce.
Tinele, ting, ratified the sleet against the
window, and chill blew the wind.
'0oss YOU like the pity, shiney snow,
maioms. " asked baby Lulu.
Not nov, baby
'.But you once did"
"Yes; long time age, mamms liked to see
the ice and Snow
What mskes you cry SO? Isn't pappy q
big. big man.
''Yes. baby pappy is big man."
"And can't big men take care OF them
selues? Don't cry, nanny baby do not
like to gee you.' And the wee, soft hands
endeavortd &c smooth away the lines of care
frern the white forehead.
The hours wore on and the storm ceased
not. Only two hours until time for No. 10
TO come in.
"He'li soon be here now, baby" and
maloma smiled gravely az with q shout OF
slee baby perched upon high chair beside
thewindow, though blue from the nipping
cold that came in through many crevices.
Al few moments later there came with pity
iDgl eyes ana white face, with slow step, q
conirade Of Charles.
NE need to tell me. / know it now" and
the messenger knew the newly-made widow
nee.led no preparation for the woeful tidings
he Esd brought her.
OILY brakeman-one of many thousands
and twas icy, sleety weather. The sure
footed. brave Charlie had looked his last
upon the loved ones at home.
Caarlie was no shirk. Wind and weather
alike he braved; bread for the dear ones he
wen. in the very face OF death, and now it
hsd; claimed hin-
Charlie WAS 20 soft weather boy" said
the. comrade, attempting to say something
that would change the quiet, despsiring.
silent wee that was too deep for sobs and
teas.
4 few hours later ''pappy" came home
and he raj not forgotten the lite red shoes
1enderiy the young mother, holding close
to her heat baby Lulu, who still held the
new shoes. knelt beside her husband, whose
ears were deaf to the voices of bis loved
ones.
Only brakeman killed while discharging
his duty. An old story-ice and sleet-s
slippery footipg-s noble life cut shorts
happy home made desolate-a baby father
less. Wcnderipgly the baby looked upon
ths,cold. white face, unable to understand
why ''Iappy" was so silent; and sooD, tired
cut shs lay fast asleep, clasping close tbs
rs6 shoes the brakemsn's last purchase.
"I Know Thing or Two"
siy desr boy" said father to his only