The daily herald. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1886-1887, 1886-11-24
lIILLY'S COMFORTER.

and was red, but that vivid scarlet we
sometimes see In the flasi Of birds
wing or the glow of brilliant sunset.
One short, raw, wintry afternoon Milly
was fastening home from school, well
wrapped in its folds, when her brisk pace
was arrested by heavy sob, and, looking
around, she saw q sight rather rare on
those quiet, arlstocratic streets-a little
boy thinly and raggedly clothed, sitting
on the curbing, his head bent forlornly on
apple Of papers in his lap, which he was
evidently making damper than usual
with his tears.
Milly looked at him pitifully, walked on
a pace or two, hesitated, glanced back,
and then ste pped resolutely toward him,
and tapped his shoulder.
whats the matter'" she asked quietly;
ARE you sick or hurtf' He raised his
head and turned upon her a surprised,
woebegone face, which, however, In spite
OF tears and dirty streaks, was far from
unattractive.
"I-can't sen-my-papers, he sobbed,
brokenly.
poor childln Milly's tones softened.
Guess you never sold papers before, did
your
"No'm," he returned, gazing at her as II
she were an oracle; II never had to before.
Tom takes care of me. He's my big
brother, and a sailor. We've got a nice
little room that he pays the rent, and
when he goes off on long VICES, eat with
the Jenkinses acrost the entry. He pays
them, too. Toms awful good, but he
come home sick this time, and the money
Is most gone. 1 thought could get some
more selling papers; but I've spent all
Toms 80 cents, and | haven't made a
thingl"
He sighed dolefully again, while the
sudden memory of q dime saved for taffy
In tho corner of her handkerchief made
Milly's face radiant as she dropped it into
his dirty little paw.
mo, no." she laughed, as he handed out
paper; ii don't want any-wouldnt
read it for a dollar and papa buys his
down town-if you could find him nowl
He takes the brown cars near the COM
mon. big man with fur overcoat, and
mustache, and a sealskin cap, and eyes
that twinkle; and like as not he'll throw
you quarter, and say Never mind the
changed It's just like himl-and herel
this'u keep you warm"
With quick movement the red COM
forter was transferred from Milly's neck
to his, and before he could speak, she had
nodded gay good-by and disappeared
around the corner.
Two hours later g superb looking gen.
tleman, striding rapidly toward his car
4 smile In his eyes as he thought of the
box Of French bonbons in his pocket
ready for Milly's searching ingers-felt a
Ientle pull at his sleeve and such plead
ing, "Ohi please. sir, buy paper-please
uol" that he Involuntary stopped.
1t was a little fellow who held them |
eagerly forward, little fellow with |
smiling tear streaked face, and q vivid |
bit Of scarlet about his throat that made
the owner think of Milly, SO he said, In
her own brisk way: i
"All right Got a Transcript That's
I'll here-never mind the change; there's
my car" and with rush forward he had
swung himself lightly aboard, leaving
silver quarter in the boys hand, exactly
as Miliy had prophesied.
VI knowod itin mutterrd the child, gaz-
ing after him with shining eyes; II
knowed twas her pal" But an impatient
paper, boyP brought him to his sences,
and in a short time, with arms empty,
but heart and pocket full, he rushed in |
upon his brother, cold and hunger alike
forgotten.
II done IL, Toni / sold every one. Here's |
the money" and quite shower of cop
pers and nickels, TO say nothing of the
silver dime and quarter, ratified out upon
the bed.
Toms wan face frightened at the
sight. "Why, you little clipper he
cried, Eayly, "whod thought Ill Come,
reel Of your yarn, quick, and then let's
have grub; Pm as hungry as a dolphin"
"Well, twas all the little ladys doin's,
you see," began Jim, and told the story
you already know, displaying the red
comforter as triumphantly as conquerer
displays his trophies.
At that very minute Milly sat MUNICH
Ing bonboi upon the arm of her fathers
easy chair before tn CRATE, while he,
lying back luxuriously in dressing gown
aud slippers, with The TRANSCRIPT across
his knee. looking teasingly into her face
"Whom did buy my paper OFF Bless
Lhe child what curiosity How can tell
Cow, I'd like to know Let's see though
'-h'ml He was little, and pathetic, and
dirty, with big blue eyes, and beautifuls
red comforter, much like yours
He glanced laughingly at his wife here,
FOL this comforter was one of tho things
they like to joke about In private but
Milly jumped up and down with
pleasure.
1t was-oh, papa, it was himl He
really, really knew you'll Oh, how per-
fcctly splendidl" and all in breath she
told the pleasant story of the afternoon,
while her fathers face grew tender, and
the glances exchanged with his wife were
so full of love and happiness that neither
could be content until she had perched
upon the other arm, while the happy
man EMBODIED them both in what he mer-
fily called a triple hug"
Weeks slipped by, while Jimmy con-
tinued to sell papers, with varying but
ever increasing success, and Tom rapidly
regain ed health and strength, to finally
ship again as deck hand on board great
vessel which was to carry grain to south
ern France, and return (God willing)
loaded with the rich wines and the lus-
cious fruits of that favored country.
But Jimmy cried all night; it was SO
lonesome with Tom gone. Then bright
thought shocked the tears, and he slept
peacefully Next morning the thought
returned, and acting upon it, he crept out
of bed, took the precious red comforter
from his little shelf md foldin0 a. ,uith