The Portland daily press., 1885-12-24

| But before the astonisafed housemaid could
hrelifN, Sadie Vas in the sitting room, drag
Eging the .kssyildered boy with her, when she
electrsffed her parents with
Il &fye got him, mamma and papa! I've got
EEhiRnp
n aGot whoP What is % they chorused in
surprise.
"Why, don't you see this little boy? |
found him on Eighth street. He asked me
for candy, so l thought I'd bring him home.
Policeman knows him; says his fathers a
good man, but is sick and is awful poor,
and
"Stop stop!" interrupted Mr.. Benson,
with a smile. Lets get at the right end of
the story"
When Sadie had quite recovered her natu-
raj self, she related the story over again.
Sarah was summoned, and presently, with
her hat and shawl disappeared through the
door.
Aunt Matilda started into the room, but
paused abruptly on the threshold as she dis
| covered frankie and the little stranger at
play.
''Well, Jane Benson" she exclaimed, dep
| recatingly, 'if you are going to allow your
husband and your daughter to make your
elegant home a refuge for street gamins
you're going to introduce some dreadful dis
ease. Now, mark my wordv'
Matilda" answered Mr.. Benson, paying
no heed to her ominous prophecy, 'can you
recall to mind an incident which occurred in
! your childhood days? How, when for weeks
| you anticipated the greatest Of pleasures,
the superintendent of the school by an over
| sight left your name from the roll, and failed
| to share with the rest?"
81 can, most distinctly"
"Do you also remember, Matilda, how the
| tears flowed, and how UNNECESSARILY
| full-your heart was of grief at the disap-
| pointment?"
''That do; but where's the comparison
| in this case?" and she tapped the carpet i'm
patiently with her foot.
"Just here" answered Mr.. Benson; 'sthis
| little fellow, like you, is all expectation
Suppose we were to heartlessly turn him,
without some recognition of our sympathy,
| into the street. Can you appreciate his feel
| ingsv'
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 lengthIsat down, giving vent to long
drawn sigh.
snow, Matilda" spoke Mr.. Benson ener-
getically, II intend to provide for that child,
and want your assistance" with a signifi-
cant wink at his wife, 81 want you to buy
him pair of Shoes"
''Oh, yes, do; that's a dear, good aunty!"
exclaimed Sadie, throwing her arms affec-
tionately about Aunt Matilda's neck; ''see
his poor little cold toes peeping out from the
broken leather she pleaded.
'Well, now, 1 believe aunty will, for your
sake, Sadie" she slowly answered, brushing
something slyly off her cheek.
The happy little fellow was dressed out in
comfortable suit of Frankie's and the new
shoes put on. Sarah made favorable re-
port on her return, and was soon on her way
back, leading the little boy, and carrying
basket of substantial food, s'shaken together,
pressed down and running over" and late
in the afternoon a well-dressed gentleman
was observed to leave Mr.. d. 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 con-
science and cheerful heart thought Mr..
Benson more than once during the evening,
and Aunt Matilda in quiet conversation
with Mrs. Benson, admitted that children
were of some use in the world after all .