The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-05-21
"IRENIEMBER THEE"

"Mrs. Bacon! Mrs. Bacon! Mrs.
Baconw cried Mrs. de Luce.
'Yes, ma am"
The housekeeper started to her feet at
the sound of her lady's voice.
"Missus is in temper" she said to
herself and smiled, and looked amiable,
hoping to conciliate; but the lady did
not smile in return.
Mrs Bacon, my daughter is playing
with a dirty little ragged boy"
Mrs. Bacon turned red.
"PhGbe told me that there had been
a child there for several days, and that
you actually allowed Gladys to play
with him." continued the lady. 81 re-
fused to believe it, but she asked me to
see for myself. He is there. What does
this mean, Mrs. Bacon? Who is hep"
"My first cousins second wife's aunt
by marriages daughter, ma'am-" be-
gan Mrs. Bacon.
This boy!" gasped Mrs. dc Luce.
This boy is that?"
"No. ma am" said Mrs. Bacon, pluck.
ing up spirit. a only said that my first
Cousins second wife $ aunt by marriages
daughter lets lodgings since she was a
widow, left with house of her own
and one of them died with a weeks
rent owing, a fortnight ago, and this
was his child; and, as for sending it to
the poor-house, who could have the
hearth and thought I'd have him in
my room bit; and he'll do anything
you bid him; and Miss Gladys just run
in; and though shabby. he is not dirty
and I've given those old clothes master
said might have for any poor person.
to be made up for him: and"
81 fail to understand you, Mrs
Bacon" exclaimed Mrs. de Luce. II
the lodger died, I'm sure it is to be In
mented. But why should Gladys be SCI
to play with the child? Send the boy
away at once, and tell him never t(
come again. He looks like for
eigner. "
II believe his pa was Eyetalian,
said Mrs. Bacon; "but as good boy
and"
Call Gladys and send the boy
awayr' interrupted Mrs. de Luce. 'Re
ally, Mrs. Bacon, l thought you could bt
trusted.
For one moment it occurred to the
housekecpcr that il would be delightful
to give months warning and speak
her mind; and. to do her justice, it was
rather because she loved little Gladys SO
well, than because of her good salary
that she rcfraincd.
Mrs. de Luce swept out of the room
and entered her carriage; the house.
keeper hustled into the little room she
called her parlor.
A fair-haired girl, and dark but
beautiful boy were sitting opposite each
other on little benches. The boy was
singing Il song.
Listen! it is so pretty" cried the
other child, with her blue eyes shining
$50 prettyr'
"Yes, it's lovely" said Mrs. Bacon.
"And now I'll give you each bit OF
cake, and then Giacomo must run
away. Your ma doesn't like you to play
with little boys. she's just told me. Sc
you'd better not come again, Cha"
Cant he play with me any morep'
sobbed Gladys. "Oh, he must-he
mustr'
81 shall be so sorry not to come here, u
said the boy, wiping away tear; "but
will 90 nowhere that they do not want
mo-"
YOU'RE little gentleman, if You are
poor" said Mrs. Bacon. "And it's not
me, Gia; I'd like you to stay here, poor
boyr'
mo one wants me-" said the child
"Mrs. Garth doesn't; heard her say So
And l will never go to the poor-house-
neverr'
..You might get to be cash-boy," Mrs.
Bacon said; cor you could sell papers. y
Il could do one thing" said the boy
IF had violin could play on it; but
have none. could 20 to places
know, and play, and they would give
me money. Iplay well enough"
"A little creature like your cried Mrs
Bacon. swell, never!'
81 have VIOLIN" said Gladys. at
is all my own. My poor Uncle William
gave it to me before he died-that anC
his music-books. i shall never learr
the violin. Mamma says the piano il
right for girls So will give You that
Uncle would like it, because then you
can earn money"
Gladys ran away. Up in the nursery
| the violin lay, OH an upper shelf. After
some teasing the nurscnaid consented
to leave the luting of her own caps fol
q moment and get it down.
Then, in the housekeeper's room the
boy proved his skill.
.'Such q little creature to play tunes!
| cried the houSckcep-r. "Now kiss ant
say goodbye" she said.
Gladys began To sob.
"GoOd-bye," said Giacomo. "Some
times. when everyone is asleep, l viii
come and play on the pavement before
your house. Listen, that you may know
it is l. Twill always begin with this
tune. 1t is song, called 4 remem
Der thee"
He played il over and over again.
81 shall not forget it, said Gladys.
The boy sighed and lifted his lips t.
those of the hOusekeeper; then he kissed
the little white hand of Gladys, and wa'
gone.
For long time Gladys used now ant
then to be awakened from her sleep by
the sound of violin. Listening. sh,
would hear that air-"I Remember
Thee"
ut is Giacomo," she would say. AND
tears would fall upon erpillOw to thinl
of the child alone in the dark midnigh
streets.
At last he came no more.