Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1886-04-14
TWO KISSES

Madam, Will you give me sometnlne
10 eat?'
Something to eat2 repeated the lady,
= kind-looking matron OF about thirty
five, who had come to the door on seeing
a stranger approach, and cast a quick
comprehensive glance over his person
and attire.
"Oh, yes" she added. Come in"
"Who is 1t, mammal" asked a little
eager voice. as a pretty child of six sum-
mers came from an inner room. --~
"Only O poor man. dear, who wants
something to eat" replied the lady. -
"There nowr she continued, placing
q well-filled tray upon the table. "Sit
down and help yourself" ~''~'
The stranger obeyed.
A few words would have told his story.
The only child of wealthy parents, Ralph
Wentworth had lived TO the age Of
twenty In ease and luxury.
He had graduated With fair record
from college, but with no marked pro-
clivities for any art or calling, save the
very agreeable and congenial one Of en-
joying the good things Of life. -
Within week after the brilliant festtv-
tiles that had celebrated his majority, his
father had fallen dead in the street from
a paralytic stroke, leaving the family
In q week moro his mother had sunk
to the grave; and the pctted INDUCED
boy was left to face the world alone with
no resources save tho few pounds that
remained of his fathers birthday gift.
With the first shock Of bereavement
over. friends clustered around him,
ready to advise and eager to assist In the
spending of his little patrimony. -
That once gone, his friends went also.
D,l, al
obtain some employment.
But where the heir Of prospective thou
sands had been met with smiles and affa-
bility, tho impecunious young man now
encountered supercilious looks and in
credulous shruSs.
Finally, filled with misanthropic dis
gust against these summer friends, he
had resolved to quit England, and 60 he
cared not where.
On the morning after coming to this
decision. while CHANGING aimlcssiy over a
paper, his eye fell upon an item dcscrib-
Ing the discovery Of gold in California.
In an instant his resolve was formed.
He would go there.
II his strength gave out before the goal
was reached. so much the better; no one
would care, no one would miss him.
1t was in this mood that he had made
ulo hiSt aclutSt loI ~ fuNsil, LOT tnC llSt
few pennies OF his slender funds had
bought him O meagre dinner the day be-
ore.
And as he now sat eating, a sudden
rush OF emotion came over him, and
forced sigh from his lips.
"What makes yoa feel so bad?"
The little earnest voice, breaking In
upon his painful rcveric, aroused him
Nth start.
Seated in little rocker, which she was
gently swaying to and fro, with her
hands folded in her lap, and her sweet
wistful eyes fixed with searching yet
sympathetic gaze upon him. was the
child whose presence he had entirely for
gotten.
Her mother had left the room tempo
arily. and he had thought himself alone.
"Why do you think feel bad. little
)ne:"
"Eccauac your face looks so sad, and
ou don't cat anything hardly; and you
ln!ost cried just nov" replied the little
"raturc: 'Gnn't zen feel hHpryf"
~. -. L.. -, e....., ,..at is :
fact"
And another sigh finished the sen
tcnce.
Are you bad MANI" was the next
question.
A half smile parted Ralph's pale lips
why do you ask me that?" he res
pondcd. 4
because mamma says that people
real good people, l mean-are always
happy, and that they only feel sad wher
they do something wrong"
Il suppose mamma is right" sale
Ralph, signing. land yet l am not 6
bad man, little one; only foolish one.
II am foolish sometimes, and little
bad. too said the little creature, shak
ing her head with a serious air. "AnC
then mamma tells me to sit down in my
chair and think about il; and by-and-by
feel very sorry, and look sad like yol
do now. Don't you feel sorry you was
so foolish?"
" Indeed do, my child" said the
young man with involuntary earnest
ness. But tell me- he added, in
terested by her artless prattle, what dc
you do then?'
II tell mamma how sorry I am ant
then she kisses me, and l feel better
Haven't you got any mamma or any
friends to kiss your"
mo, little one. My mother is dead
and my friends are all gone"
The child pondered for moment.
nat is 100 Oau Snc exclaimed.
Then she added:
Twill it make you feel better IL / kiss
your
Yes. l think so. am sure it will
"Well. will kiss YOU"
And. rising from her chair, the chill,
stepped to his side and kissed him.
Now you won't be foolish any more
will you:" she asked.
Indeed l will try not TO be-" was tn
earnest answer. God bless you. littl
)ne! That is the sweetest kiss ! hav
lad since my mother died! How l wisl
had n dear little friend like you"
Il will be your friend. said the child
And wait moment, l will get you
something" -
Darling away from his side. she fol
he room, returning In few minute
with a small parcel In her hand.
See here She said, opening II upol
his knee. Papa had uy picture takcl
IN some cards the other day, and h
gave me this one To do last what
| pleased with. He wrote my name on it
Maude Evclyh Granger. y Sra 2 F..
Il will give il to you, and when yo'
look at it you can think of your littl
trie,'i, and that she wants you to b
good"
"Bnt will your mamma let you Civ
This To me- asked Ralph with SOM
misgivinr.