Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1885-10-21

said Miss Winchester. in genuine con-
corn.
The little boy choked back his sobs,
and in shaky voice, very unlike the
ringing tones of the evening before,
said:
IF you please, Miss Henrietta, will
you-let-me-go-awayp don't
like - being-your-g guest as - the
gentleman aid-and-and-I want to
see-my mother" And here the tears
had their way again and streamed Gown
the little pale checks.
''Has any one been unkind to youp'
mo, ma'am. The. big fat woman
gave me real nice things to eat. and the
other was good to me. But they amt
nice, and they don't talk nice, and ask
me questions that sound like making
fun OF me, and my mother says that's
rude"
The lady's face flushed, and her eyes
almost fell before the fearful ones lifted
TO hers.
"Tcll me something about your
mother Or do you mind my ques.
tionsp"
"Oh, no, ma'am," said the boy,
brightly, while the tears yet hung on
his lashes. "You are lady, and don't
act like they do" nodding toward the
kitchen. mother scws most all the
time. She didn't want me to come
without her, but I'd been sick, and she
said she knew wanted fresh air. She
hadn't enough money to pay to send
me anywhere, so came here with the
Others, and she couldn't come. There's
so many people 60 away in the sum-
mer, and then She don't have much
sewing"
"And you want to go back to herP"
said Miss Winchester, slowly. "Do you
not think the country prettyp"
''Oh, yes! exclaimed the little fell
low; ''it's prettier here than in any
parks l ever saw. And the sun shines
so prettily through the leaves. At our
house it's just Ike a great hot fire on
the pavement and the brick walls.
And everything smells so sweet here"
"And yet you want to 60 away"
There isn't anything to love here"
said the child, simply. ~ wanted to
play with the big dog, and the pretty
calves out yonder, but the man
wouldn't let me. Mother said wasn't
to be troublesome, and II think I
trouble you. / thought the gentleman
meant something nice when he said /
was to be your guest didn't know
just what he meant.
Winchester, so solemnly that the boy
looked startled. But she held out her
hand gently, and led him into the break
fast-room.
Every word of the pastors appeal,
aye, and the Saviour's command was
ringing in her ears How had she
given cup of cold water to this little
strangerP Grudgingly, even out of her
abundance; unkindly, exposing the
sensitive spirit. trained by some gentle,
lady-like mother, to coarse company
and rude jecrs. The Master, whom she
protested to serve after the straightest
sect, had asked favor at her hands
for one of the least of His. She had
turned her back upon him at the first,
and then kept back part of the price"
another place, Lizzie" she said to
the surprised waitng-maid. Little
Edgar will sit with me hereafter"
But while the boy, won from his
grief and loneliness, prattled merrily
through the meal, Miss Winchester ate
the bread of bitterness in self-searching
and condemnation.
Although the mistress of Evergreens
dlsliked sudden propositions pressed on
her by others, she was quick to act
upon motives of her own. A half-hour
after breakfast found her giving orders
to Lizzie as to the arrangement of one
of the many pretty bed-chambers of the
Shortly after she stood on
the front portico, clad in gray linen
ulster. Little Edgar watched at the
gate for the carriage in which he was to
ride with miss Henrietta.
ITO the station, John, and drive rap
idly. We have not too much time"
"She's going to take the little chap
back" thought John.
''Do you know where we are goingp"
asked Miss Henrietta, smiling into the
sunny face opposite her.
mo, ma am, but it's nice ride"
said Edgar, contentedly.
al am going TO take you to show me
the way to your mother. And then we
will bring her back to Evergreens and
she shall be my guest, too.
''Oh, are you in earnestp Do you
really mean to have mother and inc,
toop" exclaimed the boy, rising in his
excitement.
Yes, you and your mother, too"
81 do like you. Please" he said
timidly, ''may l kiss youp"
1t was rather shy kiss given and re-
ceived, for Miss Henrietta was so un-
used to children. But some bright
drops fell upon the curly head.
A pale but sweet-faced little woman
with them to Evergreens.
How mother and son gained health and
strength and color in the pure breczes
and sunshine, in the generous fare and
quiet pleasures provided by their host
ess! How Cloverville wondered and
speculatcd as to "what had come over
Miss Winchester, when she ushered
Mrs. Clark and the bright-eyed boy in
to the pew so long held by herself in
solitary satisfaction! And Cloverville
wondered more when Miss Winchester
that the lady.like unob-
trusive widow was the very person to
assume the Office of housekeeper at
Evergreens!
She told Mr.. Dale of his mistake long
after that eventful summer when little
Edgar became her guest.
~ can not thank you enough" she
said, with deep emotion. II was one
of those offending many of His little
ones, and Divine pity turned your very
natural mistake into means to save
mo from the threatened and merited
" Chicago Interior.