The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-09-12
SELENL.

father came slowly into town. There was
snow still in the mountains-many feet
of snow-but it had melted in the valley,
and the wooden pavements OF the little
m n,ng camp we're as dry as though it
was in July.
Over in Hallelu ah Gulch a great
strike had been made, and numbers of
prospectors thronged the streets and
stood in groups on every corner. One
rough miner turned and looked after
;Seleni and her father and the old hand
organ.
''1his 'ere's a city, now, boys" he
cried. "Just look at the organ grinder
come to town"
"Give US toot, old man." called out
asecond miner.
''Let him alone. boys" said third.
stHe is blind
Seleni led her father down the mar
row street, and piloted him safely
through the noisy crowd. AS she turned
scorner she spied an unpretending res
taurant.
"Dinner so cents" the sign read, md
she paused before the open door
"We'll 60 in an git some dinner, dad
I'm fearful hungry"
she led her father to one of the small
tables and slipped the organ from his
back. Then she drew an old bandaua
handkerchief from her pocket and un-
tied one corner. A little roll of nickels
dropped out on the table.
SCOT enough, Selcnl9" asked hel
father, anxiously.
. His quick ears had caught the click of
the coins.
-. ots," said seleni, shortly.
She hastily ted up the money, and
going to the counter, ordered dinner fol
her father, and for herself only bowl
of mush and milk.
81 was pretty near starved said the
old organ grinder, as he ate his roast
beef with a good relish. ''d'ant the
meat real good, Seleni."
Bet your life!" answered Seleni
calmly taking SIP of milk.
And the tomatoes, and the rice pud'
DIM" added her father.
les, dad, but don't stop to talk,
said Sc eni.
Seeni soon finished her own simple
dinner, and leaned back in the still
wooden chair. Two miners near by
looked up admiring'y. seleni's eyes were
large and black, as had been those of hel
Italian mother. who had died when she
was born. Heavy braids of blue-black
hair were wound around her head, anc
her cheeks and lips were crimson. He
OLD straw hat was tied down with fadec
ribbon; her dark Glue dress was stained
and shabby. She wore blanket shaw
around her slender shoulders.
We've had splendid dinner, hahn
we:" said her father, rising and taking
the organ on his back.
Seleni paid the restaurant keeper, and
tied up her few nickels that remained
Then she took her fathers arm and led
him to the corner Of the street.
"Well stop and play here, dad"
Her father patiently began to tur tn
crank of the old organ. Seleni stoot
beside him and eagerly scanned the face
of the passers-by. Few seemed to thinl
the music was worth paying for. A lad.
gave Seleni l0-cent piece, and mine
carelessly tossed quarter toward them
But their supper and nights lodging
were to be paid for. and very few nickel
were left in the bandana hankerchief.
1t grew late at last. The organ grinde
had now played through all his tunes.
"You are tired, dad" said Seleni, a
her father paused. "We'll 60 aud find
place to sleep"
."We don't want no supper, do we
Seleni2 We had such hearty dinner.
60: es. dad" said Seleni, family.
'And it WIS late. too," added the ol(
man. "It must ha' been most | O'Clock.
"Be you hungry, dad, 'askel SEEM
anxiousIy looking into his face.
"No5 a mite" answered her father
very cheerfully. "And spoSe play
little longer 'Taint dark yet, is it
Let's walk along"
They turned a corner and found them
selves on side street in quiet nei gh
borhood. There were lace curtains a
the windows Of some IF the small cabins
An open door gave glimpse of brigh
Brussels carpet.
Suddenly young girl appeared at
window and, raising the sash, very care
lessly tossed out into the street a beat
tiful but withered bouquet of hot-hous
flowers. Seleni quickly glanced up a
the lady, who was young and had fai
hair. This much she remembered al
ways. The bouquet rolled to the youn
girls fe t, then stopped. She stoope
nd picked up the flowers. They wer
49, - - H..