Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-08-16

walk. The girl extends her hands
to assist the other to rise.
''Thank you, child," says pleas
ant voice. "Why, you have no
gloves on How cold your hands A
small bunch of icicles! Here, run
away and buy yourself a pair of
mittens if you have none," and she
slips coin into the child's hand,
and continues on her way.
The little homeless one stops un-
der the first lamp-post to examine her
treasure.
ssA half dollar!'' she exclaims,
and the weary little heart gives a
great bound of joy.
She again runs, and this time her
speed is checked in a grocery store,
where she invests all but FIVE cents
of the fifty in tea, bread and sugar.
On regaining the street she halls
car, and curling herself upon seat
in corner looks with wide, thought
full eyes on the frozen window op-
posite.
"This is as far as we co." an
nOunced the conductor, after a long,
tedious ride, and the little figure
again struggles in the snow. hugging
the small parcels close to her breast.
Nothing but snow! Great white
fields of snow, though the city be-
hind and the heavens above are
cleaning with thousands of lights.
Stiller and colder the night grows,
but still that dark dot moves along
through the vast stiffness of the
night.
The large dark eyes at length spy
an apparently long sought for light
ahead. She soon reaches the struc-
ture from which it CLEANS, and open
ing the door without key, she en-
ters. and seeks her way up dark
flight of stairs. The great bright
eyes of rats peeping out of their
holes do not frighten her.
$50 way YOU" she says chidingly
as if surprised at their boldness in
confronting her.
Rapping lightly at door at the
head of the stairs. OF moIe properly
speaking, ladder, she gains admit
tance.
"Tve got something to eat, papa"
she says cheerfully, holding her
hands to small stove emitting con-
siderable warmth.
ssSomething to eat," he repeats
eagerly, and grasps the cold hands
in his own and chafes them gently.
81 have been watching for you. my
Pearl, and / was fearful that the
winds had dug your grave and the
snow filled it. But you have come
back, my Pearl" and the long white
hair of the old man mingles with the
black locks of the child, and he
kisses her often and tenderly, as if
they had been separated for term
of years. s'Here, Pearl see here
l have perfected my discovery the
secret of perpetual motion is ours J"
The long white fingers pointed to
sheet of brown wrapping paper on
the table, covered with angles,
squares, and all manner of shapes
and curves, which, in their intricacy,
formed no definite outline of any
kind.
"Yes papa; we will talk it over
after we have had something to eat,
and she unclasps his arm from about
her waist and prepares the tea.
"How did you earn the money!
he inquiries fondly.
81 did not earn it, papa. A young
lady gave it TO me"
A shadow passes over her face as
she replies, and the keen eye of the
father observes it.
"Come here, my PEARL he says
gravely, and draws the light on the
table by his side nearer to him..
She lays the bread she has been
cutting on cracked plate, which
she places on napkin In the centre
of the table, then turns her face to
him. He takes it between his hands
and looks anxiously into the eyes OF
his child.
''They have been rough to you.
J my Pearl. Come, rest your head on
my breast and cry. | see the tears
in your heart. My sweet flower, ]
!, have leaned on you till the slender
stem is ready to break. But l may
J be able 10 use my limbs. So cheer
up, my precious Pearl. But let us
drink the tea. 1t smells good after
We have had nothing but warm water
for days and days. Hand me my
medicine chest. We must both take
some medicine to make us stronger
and cheer our spirits.
She smiles through her tears, and
places a small paper box beside hin
on the table. Brushing his hair from
t his face, she draws the table closer
to the stove, moves his chair nearer
| the table, and seating herself, pours
; out the tea.
''It tastes good, papa" she says
! touching it dalntily to her lips, and
, then takes long draught as if to
emphasize her words.
''That is right, Pearl. Drink ant
enjoy it,
He drains the tea in his cpp at {
draught, and when she refills thei
) cups says:
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