The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-12-04
MILLY'S COMFORTER.

1t was woven OF ileecy, crinkly zephyr
and was red, but that vivid scarlet We
sometimes ses iu the fash of birds
wing or the glow OF brilliant sunset.
Ruskp Gays this is the color OF life, and
though Miily Lad not heard this she felt
it every time she wound the gay thing
about her slender throat and tossed it's
tasseled ends coquettishly over her shout
der.
Her mother was apt TO smile at it, as
hardly in keeping with Milly's rich, fur
trimmed garments and velvet head gear,
but the latter loved it as the gilt Of
dear little cousin in the country, and
when Mrs. Wentworth saw how pictur-
esquely it contrasted with her daughters
dark hair and eyes, and harmonized with
her glowing cheeks, she made no further
objection, but let the child wear it where
she would except to church.
One short, raw, wintry afternoon Milly
was Fastening home from school, well
wrapped in it's folds, when her brisk pace
was arrested by heavy sob, and looking
around, she saw sight rather rare in
those quiet, aristocratic streets-a little
boy thinly and raggedly clothed, sitting
on the curbing, his head bent forlornly
on pile Of papers in his lap, which he
was evidently making damper than usual
with his tears.
Milly looked at him pitifully, walked
on pace or two, hesitated, glanced back,
and then stepped resolutely toward him
and tapped his shoulder.
"What's the matter?" she asked quiet
Iy;" are you sick or hurt?" He raised
his head and turned upon her sur
prised, woebegone face which, however,
in spite OF tears and dirty streaks, was
far from unattrRctive.
q can't sell - my - papers," he
sobbed, brokenly.
"Of course not, up bere," said Milly,
in brisk, business like tones. "Yon don't
see any body on these streets but women
and children, and they don't want
papers. You ought to go down town
where the stores are; then, if you'll wait
until six o'clock, the gentlemen will be
going home TO supper, and they'll take
them fast enough"
"But they hustle me about so, and I'm
awful cold and hungry" he moaned.
Poor child" Millys tones softened.
al expect they do, but you must hustle
back, and stand your own ground, Guess
you never sold papers before, did your"
"No'm," he returned, gazing at her as
if she were an oracle: II never had to
before. Tom takes care of me. He'smy
big brother, and sailor. We've got
nice little room that he pays the rent, and
when he goes off on long VICES l eat with
the Jenkinses aorost the entry. He pays
them, too. Toms awful good, but he come
home sick this time, and the moneys
most gone. Ithought could get some
more selling papers, but 1 spent all Toms
fifty cents, and haven't made thingl !"
He sighed dolefully again; while the
sudden memory of a dime saved for taffy
in the corner of her handkerchief made
Milly's face radiant as she dropped it
into his dirty little paw.
"No, no." she laughed, as he handed
out paper; 81 don't want any-would'nt
read it FOR dollar, and papa buys his
down town-if you could find him now.
He takes the brown cars near the com
mon, big man with fur oyercoat and
mustache and sealskin cap and eyes
that twinkle, and like as not he'll throw
you quarter and say, Never mind the
change It's just like him!--and here,
thisIl keep you warm"
With quick movement the red COM
forter was transferred from Milly's neck
to his, and before ne could speak she had
nodded a gay good-by and disappeared
around the corner.
He looked after her long minute, then
down at the soft, scarlet wrap, and gath
ering himself up with new resolution,
turned and walked away, burying his
chin in its flsecy folds with delicious
sense of returning warmth and comfort.
Two hours later superb looking gen
tleman, striding rapidly toward his car
a smile in bis eye as he thought of the
box of French bon bons in his pocket
ready for Milly's searching fngers-felt
a gentle pull at his sleeve and such
pleading, 90! please, sir, buy paper
please dol" that heinyoluntarily stopped.
1t was a little fellow who held them
eagerly forward, little FELLOW with a
smiling, tear streaked face. and vivid ]