The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1888-11-22

| dG-tH6 elDOWS, Qonant poverty, which
proclaimed itself in the rents and tears
of the frouzy mothers gown, in the
dirty floor and windows, the broken
chairs, the rusty stove, the wretched
apologies for beds, and the general
confusion and the lack of thrift. Paus-
ing on the threshold, Mrs. Jenner took
in every thing at q glance, but the blue
eyes, with the forget-me-not luster, ap-
parently saw nothing except the wall
ing infant on a pillow in the old cane
rocker 1t was q popularity of the
Gresham's to have always baby, and
however the mother might cuff and
scold the other children, she was
womanly enough still to have gentle
ness for every new conner into the un-
attractive nest.
The baby is teething, see,' said
Mrs. Jenner, lifting him up with ten
der care. F'What a pretty boy! Would
| you lend him to me for an hour, Mrs.
| Gresham I'll take the best care of
him. | have been used to little brothers
and sisters at home. Please let me
carry him off for driver
As she spoke, she was dipping her
soft handkerchief into stream at the
dirty sink, and washing The not over
clean and fever-fushed little face. OF
the soiled slip and shrunkent flannel
skirt she took no notice, and as the
moaning child, soothed and refreshed,
smiled up into her face, she stopped
| and kissed the little forehead
Had she been an Amazon, instead of
merely cain, incapable woman, Mrs.
Gresham would have been won by at
tention like this to her darling, and
standing with arms akilnbo, a. flock of
bare-footed boys and girls in the back
ground, she complacently watched her
| visitor step into the luxurious carriage,
gather the lap-robe over the baby and
drive away toward the green fields in
thedistance. Then she drew a long
breath OF wonder and pride.
Was it fancy. or, when the hour was
over and the little. one brought back,
did Mrs. Jenner perceive an effect as
Of picking up and strengthening out in
the wretched living room? Had Mrs.
Gresham for once endeavored to ..tidy
the place a bit, thatsit might wear a
more cheerful look In her visitors S
eyesa IS e Meas
If SO, the little lady made no sign.
In a day or two she came again, bring
ing a scarlet geranium and pot OF
mignonette pretty ribbon also for lit
tie Lucy's hair
Il thought one of the boys would
fix little shelf where these flowers
could stand in the sunshine" she said,
simply.
And the result, which she expected,
followed; for the bright flowers begged
in their own winsome way for a clear
pane of glass and gained it. The
clean pane was the entering wedge.
Mrs. Jenner observed it, and mentally
thanked God for so much progress. A
clean. floor would come in time. And
the ribbon made Lucy happy and ami
able. She behaved better all day.
Jake, a big, shutting fellow, with
the prison taint upon him, unable to
| get work because of the report of his
dishonesty, which made every one sus-
| picious, was Mrs. Jenner's next OBJ.
jectsof attack. She prayed over that
boy; she went from one tradesman to
another, trying to obtain work for him;
she listened with patience while his
| mother, the mendicant whine in her
voice, besought Mrs. Jenner to clothe
the lad decently. Fortunately Mrs.
Jenner knew where and when to say
ssNo.'
Sullen and mortified, the boy avoided
her gaze, slouched out of the house
when he saw her coming, hung his
head and answered her curtly when
she surprised him within. But none
the less was Mrs. Jenner determined,
God helping her, to save. Jake.
Il wouldn't insult him by giving him
clothes,'' she replied, when Mrs.
Gresham had been more urgent than
usual; .tbut If Jake will earn the money
| to pay for them
Earn the money! CALCULATED Mrs.
Gresham, with scornful sniff. s.It's
likely he could earn it, when his char
acter's is gone, and not soul in town
will employ him at any price,
Il will employ him myself, and pay
him. too, promptly responded his
friend, not minding the obstinate set OF
Jake's shoulders, and the finging
back of his shaggy head. The hair
had grown since the prison shears had
cropped it closely.
Jake she said, looking at him
winningly, ''my pony, Frisk, needs
somebody to groom him, and ]
want him exercised every morn
| ing. Mr.. Jenner was saying this
very day that the lawn-mower will
rust If it isn't used, to say nothing of
| its being a shame that our lawn should
look worse than any in the neighbor-
hood. Now. if you'll come aud take
charge of Frisk, and see to the lawn,
you shall be well paid, and you'll soon
4 n a ls.e ~ z