Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1888-09-22

flights of steep stairs, and around the
corner to the house where Charlie :"
lived.
IF Charles mother will only let me
give him Dick. myself" she was think
ing, as she rang the bell of the third
floor tenant.
The door was opened by the tall man
of the window tableau. A little con-
fused, Mildred explained that she had
heard the little fellow calling for his
cat, and then related how she had
found Puss on her window-sill, and
had hastcned to restore him to his little
owner.
The tall man, in rather shabby
clothes, courteously thanked the visit
or, and asked her if it would be too
much trouble to step in and let Char
lie thank her in person. Mildred,
slightly embarrassed, but very CRATE
full for the fulhllment of her wish, pre-
coded the tall man upstairs, and was
ushered into neat and bright living
room, the one she had seen from her
window.
you will forgive Charlie and me for
receiving you in the kitchen; I'm pre-
pairing little Christmas surprise for
my son, and the other room is the scene
of the Transformation, said the tall
man, as he opened the door
Charlie, wrapped in pinafore, was
seated in high chair at the
table eating bread and milk,
and said, as Dicky made digni-
fed descent from Mildred's arms: 80,
90, bad, naughty pussy! dess 90
tan't have any supper" presenting his
milky mouth to BE- kissed. Use much
obliged, lady, 'tos you bringed HIM
home. Whered 90 find him."
Mildred again told the story of the
discovery Of Dick, and in so sweet and
bright q Way that the tall man said:
1--WE must lose Dick again if Charlie
and I can persuade you to bring him
back to us. Would you wait few
minutes and join us in our celebration :?
Two are such a small Christmas party"
This was said in slightly pleading
voice, and its owner went on pleading
ly: I'LL not be long lighting up.
Charlie, entertain the lady while I'm
gone"
Charlie did entertain the lady, and
on coming back shortly, the tall man
found his son snugly enscOnced on the
lady's lap, and prattling as fast as his
baby tongue could so.
Mildred had discovered that there
was no mother, for Charles chatter was
all of what papa" did fer him; of how
papa" went away early in the morning ;
and how he, Charlie, stayed down
stairs with Mra. Berry, or played in the
yard till his papa came home; and of
what good times he had after supper
when papa" told stories and cut things
out of wood; and then of wha. lovely
day Sunday was when the two went
for walk
The disjoin.ed baby talk had become
very confidential when the tall
man announced that the "party" was
ready, and what Charlie called "the
most boofullest Kismuss tree" stood
revealed in the other room.
In reality the tree was scrawny
little evergreen, spar5ely decorated
but the few toys and giittcring tinsels
were arranged with careful tact, and
suflicel to fill Charles heart with de-
light He insisted on dividing his
small stock of candies with the kind
lady who had brought back his "Dicky. "
and az each new treasure discovered he
rapturorsly Rugged his papa.
Mildred reluctantly announced her
departure. She fA,+ how drearv it
would be in her cherries room after
the brief brightness of this home
scene. But sense of propriety al
lowed no excuse for further lingering.
Charlie was hidden to be good boy
while papa should go around the corner
with Miss"
Manson" was the low reply to the
involuntary question.
Charlie and 1 haven't much of q
name," said the tall man. ats Kent.
And the list OF our friends is about as
short as our name. Are you going to
let us add you to their number, Miss
Manson? I feel sure we shall be good
friends"
I MillpadiI b1ns1 xuaa S.1Iai,ra A.. all.