The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-05-01
MILLY'S COMFORTER.
BY FANNIE f. NEWBURY.

1t was woven of heecy, crinkly
zephyr, and was red-not dull,
brick red, but that vivid scarlet we
sometimes see in the flash OF a bird
wing or the glow OF q brilliant sunset.
Ruskin says this is the color OF life,
and OF warmth, which means life; and
though Milly had not heard this, she
felt it every time she wound the gay
thing about her slender throat, and
tossed its tasselled ends coquettishly
over her shoulder.
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 gift
OF a dear little cousin in the country,
and when Mrs. Wentworth saw how
picturesquely 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, ex.
cept to church.
One short, raw, wintery afternoon,
Milly was Fastening home from school,
well wrapped in its folds, when her
brisk pace was arrested by a heavy
sob, and, looking around, she saw a
sight rather rare on those quiet, arts
tocratic streets-a little boy thinly
and raggedly clothed, sitting on the
curling, his head bent forlornly upon
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 to,
ward him and tapped his shoulder.
whats the matter?" she asked
quietly; "are you sick or hurt ?" He
raised his head, and turned upon he1
q surprised, woebegone face, which
however, IN spite of tears and dirty
streaks was far from unattractive.
'I-Can 't-sell -my-papers," he
sobbed, brokenly.
COT course not up here" said Milly
IN brisk, business tones. "You don't
see anybody on these streets but WON.
en- and children, and they don't want
papers. You ought to go down town
where the stores are; and then If you
will wait until s O'Clock the gentlemen
will be going home to dinner, and
they'll take them fast enough"
'But they hustle me about so, and
I'm awful cold and hungry" he
moaned.
"Poor child" Milly's tones soft.
ened. 81 expect they do; but you
must hustle back and stand your
ground. Guess you never sold papers
before, did your"
'No'm," he returned, gazing at hel
as if she were an oracle; 81 never had
to before. Tom takes care of me
He's my big brother, and a sailor
We've got nice little room that he
pays the rent for, and when he goes
Off on long VICES, eats with the Jen
kinses across the entrv-he paw:
them, too. Toms awful good, but hi
come home sick this time, and tn,
moneys most gone. | thought
could get some more selling papers
but I've spent all Toms fifty cents
and | haven't made thingr"
He sighed dolefully again, while tn,
sudden memory OF a dime saved fol
taffy in the corner of her handkerchief
made Milly's face radiant as she pro
duced it and dropped it into his dirty
little paw.
mo, no." she laughed, as he handel
out a paper, 81 don't want any
wouldn't read it for a dollar, anC
papa buys his down town-if yol
could find him nowl He takes tn,
brown cars near the commons bi
man with a fur overcoat, and a nous
tache, and a sealskin cap, and eve
that Just twinkle; and like as no
he'll throw you a quarter, and say
Never mind the changep it's lust lik
him and here this'l help keep VOL
warn"
With a quick movement the red com
forter was transferred from Milly'
neck to his, and, before he coul,
speak, she had nodded 81 gay good
hve and disappeared around the cor
q looked after her long minute
shen down at the soft scarlet wrar
aa1 gathering himself up with neJ
resolution, turned and walked away
burying his chin III its fieecy folds wit
a delicious sense OF returning warmt'
and comfort
Two hours later a supurb lookin
gentleman, striding rapidly toward hi
cara smile in his eyes as he though
OF the box OF French bonbOns in hi
pocket ready for Milly's searching fir
gers-felt a gentle pull at his sleeve an
such pleading, ooh please, sir, bu
paper-please do" that he involur
tarlly stopped.
1t was little fellow who held ther
eagerly forward, little fellow with
smiling, tearstreaked face, and a vivi
hlt OF scarlet about his throat tina
made the other think of MilIy, so h
SAID, IN her own brisk way:
"Al right Got a Transcript
That's it here-never mind tn
change; there's my cer" and with
rush forward, he had swung himse
!lghtly aboard, leaving a silver quartz
IN the boys hand, exactly as Mill
had prcphesied.
I knowed it, muttered the child
gazing after him with Ginning eyes; q.
knowed twas her pa.' But an imps
tlent Paper, boyu' brought him I
his senses, and III a short time, wit
arms empty but heart and pocket full
he rushed IN upon his brother, col
and hunger alike forgotten.
= done II, Tom | sold every on,
Heres the money" and quite a SHOW
er OF coppers and nickeis, TO say notl
ing OF the silver dime and Quarter
ratified out upon the bed.
Toms wan face frightened at til
sight.
Why, you little clipper" he cried
gayly. who'd a thought it! Come
reel on your yarn. quick, and then let
nave grub; I'm as hungry as a do
phin.
well, twas all the little lady
doln's, you see" began Jimmy, an
told tie story you already know, dis