Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-04-08
A SUMMER FLOWER.
BY GORDON GRANT.

BY GORDON GRANT.
'Tf you please, areyou the gentleman
who writes for the theatres?"
"Yes, sometimes write for the the
atres,n replied I, in utmost amaze,
looking down on the scrap of humanity
who had been rapping at my chamber
door for some moments, and whom l
now admitted; girl, probably of thir-
teen years, folded in an old, threadbare
shawl, her yellow hair halfhiden under
q hideous bonnet, from beneath which
peered great brown eyes, a world too
big for the small, pinched face.
I have always had weakness for
brown eyes, and these were swimming
in tears.
''May ask what you want?" said,
handing her chair; and from under
her shawl she produced brown paper
parcel, which knew by instinct con-
tained MSS.
"We are very poor, papa and J, +" said
the mite, wiping few drops from the
brown paper; ''papa writes beautifully,
but no one will read what he does
write; we see your name in the papers,
and papa thinks that you might per-
haps buy his play, or ask one Of your
managers to do it,"
"My dear child,n said 1, ''why did
not your father come himself to me?"
''He was too much afraid" she re-
piled, with the simplicity whichseemed
toher CHARACTERISTIC; then she laid the
parcel on the table, with a very wistful
glance from her big eyes.
/ cut the string and glanced at the
MSS. "a tragedy in five acts.
The glance of a professional eye can
sometimes gauge the merit of produc-
uon; and almost without reading page
i saw that this tragedy was heavy as
lead, hopelessly dull, painfully tedious.
But I could not say SO to that elfin
child, with the pathetic eyes, with the
arms thin as the stem of my meer-
schaum, and the.hungry face.
I felt rather curious to see the man
who had not courage to offer his play
in person; being accustomed to SO much
Of the other thing, / had almost ceased
tobelieve in the existence Of a bashful,
timid amateur.
offered my visitor some coffee and
cake, which, after little hesitation, she
took, and J.ithen proposed returning
with her, ,sto see her father himself.
She colored slightly, looking round
my room and then at myself, withou
answering for sometime, and then will
akind Of effort agreed to the proposal
II thought that though George Leslie
-thatlwas the name on the MSS. hat
no dramatic power, might be able te
assist him in some other way.
The little girl finished her meal
thanked me in graceful, simple way
and then put her small hand in mine
to lead me to her home.
There was perfect confidence, ,complet
trust III the action, and 1t went hom
to my heart; one likes to be trusted, ev
en- when time has made one cease t
trust.
We went through wet and slopp,
streets, rast bright shops and lighted
halls, down dismal alleys, to wretchei
slum;.I had been there before profes
slsnally; 1t was miserable place, and
was saddened to think of the child liv
ing here.
''You did mot always live here, di'
you?n ] asked.
'sNot always" she replied; "only af
ter papa got very poor"
She led the way now, Isaying to my
self:
"My hope my trnst, my heaven must be,
My gentle guide, in following thee"
Ny gentle guide led me up some dar
and noisome stairs, pausing before
closed door, which she quietly openet
The room beyond was in semi i-darknesI
the ghost Of Ia fire alone saved it fror
total obscurity; dimly / could make ou
some fragments of furniture, and q dar
heap In distant corner; silence ever,
where; solemn hush.
"Papa must be asleep said Jeanie,i 1
soft whisper; "wait one momen
please, and will get q light
40 this day \ know not what it wa
that impelled me to hold the chill
back, and prevent her going farther.
NO, my dear" I said; "wait there
moment, and I will find . light.n
She obeyed In silence; I stepped fol
ward and struck match, igniting
kalf-burnt candle; then Iadyanced !
the dark heapa miserable bed, and
man stretched upon 1t dead. It was
ghastly sight; one Of the most ghastl
had ever looked on. I had Just tim
to draw the tattered coverIet over Il
and then JeAnie was At my side.
"Isn't he there?p she asked, quickly
athen he will be at the Bunch {
Keys, sir. Liam sorry you woul