Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-10-03
MlLLY'S COMFORTER.


sometimes see in the flash Of a 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 SIX pace
was arrested by heavy sob, and, looking
around, she saw sight rather rare on
thos' quiet, aristocratic streets-a little
toy thiniy and raggedIy 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 ste pped Iesolutely toward him,
and tapped his shoulder
[ whats the matter'" she asked quietly;
"are you sick or hurtts 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-cau't sell-my-papers," he sobbed.
| brokenly.
Poor child" Milly's tones softened.
/ Guess you never sold PAPERS before, did
/ your"
"No'm," he returned, gazing at her as if
. L
Tom takes care of me. He's my big
brother, and a sailor. We've got nice
little room that he pays the rent, and
when he goes off on long viges, l 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. thought could get some
more seiung papers; but I've spent al
{ Tnmts ~ and I hGvanff na1a "a
thingI"
He sighed dolefully again, while the
sudden memory of a dime saved for taffy
in the corner OF her handkerchief made
Mnly's face radiant as she dropped it into
his dirty little paw.
NO no." she laughed, as he handed out
paper; Il don't want any-wouldn't
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 overcoat, and
a mustache, and a sealskin cap, and eyes
that twinkle; and like as not he'll throw
you a quarter, and say Never mind the
change! It's just like him!-and here!
thisll keep you warm"
With a quick movement the red COM
forter was transferred IRON Milly's neck
to his, and before he could speak, she had
nodded a gay good-by and disappeared
around the corner.
Two hours later a superb looking gen
tleman, striding rapidly toward his car
smile in his eyes as he thought of the
box Of French bonbons in his pocket
ready for Milly's searching fngers-felt a
gentle pull at his sleeve and such plead
ing, ~Oh! please, sir, buy paper-please
dol" that he involuntary y stopped.
1t was little fellow who held them
eagerly forward, a little fellow with
smiling, tear streaked face, and a vivid
bit Of scarlet about his throat that made
the owner think of Milly, so he said, i'll
her own brisk way:
-Ali right Got Transcript, That's
il! here-never mind the change; there's
my carr and with rush forward he had
swung himself lightly aboard, leaving d
silver quarter in the boys hand, exactly
as MilIy had prophesied.
Il knowed It'll" muttered the child, gaz-
ing after him with shining eye; Il
knowed twas her paI' But an impatient
paper, boy!' 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.
Il done it, Tom! sold every one Here's
the money" and quite a shower OF cop
pers and ickels, 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, gayly, who'd thought it! Come,
reel Of your yarn, quick, and then let's
have grub; Im as hungry as a dolphin H."
well, twas all the little laiy's doiu's,
you see,' began JI:.., and told the story
you already know, displaying the red
comforter as triumphantly as a conquer rer
displays his trophies.
At that very minute Milly sat MUNICH
ing bonbo upon the arm of her fathers
easy chair before tn crate, while he,
lying back luxuriously in dressing gown
and slippers, with The Transcrip across
his knee looking teasing;y into her face
whom did l buy my paper of? Bless
the child! what curiosityl How can tell
now, Id like TO knowt Let's see though
him! He was little, and pathetic, and
dirty, with big blue eyes, and beautiful
red comforter, much like yours.
He glanced laughingly at his wife here,
foI 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 him! He
really, really knew you'll oh, how per
fectly splendid" and all in a breath she
told the pleasant story Of the afternoon,
while her fathers face grew tender, and
the glances exchanged with has 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 enfolded them both in what he mer-
rily called triple hug"
Weeks slipped by, while Jimmy con-
tinued 10 sell papers, with varying but
ever increasing success, and Tom rapidly
regained 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 a bright
thought checked 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, and, folding it with
a loving touch, laid it in Toms sea chest,
which, packed, but not yet corded, stood
by the bed.
"It's ali I've got to give him." thought
Jimmy, sadly, Sand it'll keep him warm
when he stands watch these cold nights"
So, all unknown to Tom, the long, red
length of comfort went with him, to help
the battle against cold and storm, while
Jimmy was left to fight the colder world
and stormier fate at home.
Another great vessel, very differ
ent from the clumsy concern Tom