Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-04-27
lena's Beggar.
BY LEoNoRE NIECE.


Lena Brooks was working briskly
away. in the small cosy kitchen. one
pleasant morning, when a loud rap
was heard at the kitchen door.
81 wonder who it can be-" solio-
uuized Lena as she fastened to open
the door.
please, miss. could you give me q
piece of bread?' said pleasant voice.
Lena took one glance at the boyish
form in the tattered garments and de-
cided at once that he was not bad
looking beggar. Then. in her genial.
warm-hearted manner, answered:
Certainly, just come in and sit here
beside the table," indicating the place.
Here is hot cup of tea and some
b scuits and butter" placing before
him plate of flaky biscuits, some
golden butter. together with the tea of
which the boy was not slow to take adj
vantage.
Il was just preparing mammals
lunch,' continued Lena. "She always
likes it punctually, for she is an inva-
lid, and has been ever since | was
little girl. and. then, all at once, it
struck Lena how absurd it was 10 be tell
ING their private affairs to a stranger,
and n tramp at that, and she wondered
what her sister Edith would say if she
knew it.
But there was no time for further
thought, for the boy had finished his
meal and sat gazing at the pretty pic
ture Lena made, with her sleeves rolled
up to the elbows, showing to perfec-
ton the plump white arms, her nut
brown hair tucked coquettishly under
one of the house-maid's caps, while
the heat had added a warm glow TO
her usually pale cheeks
Lena thought she detectsG a smile on
the boys lips as he rose and said:
Thanks, miss, for the vtuals. All
people don't treat beggars that way"
"Oh, that is nothing. We always
help the needy. Mamma always says
no matter how poor we are one piece
of bread will not be missed, and. then,
you know" in reverent tone, "our
blessed Lord says. 'Inasmuch as We did
it not to one of the least of my breth-
ren,ye did it not to me. and that means
we arc to help the poor people"
The boy did not know, but lie listen
ed in respectful silence, the smile Off it
was one) disappeared. as he perceived
how earnest was the speaker.
Thank you. miss. You've done me
a heap of good" and then like flash
he vanished. leaving Lena to think it
had all been dream. but she was rous-
ed TO reality by querulous voice call
ing:
Lena Lena, are you ever coming
with my lunch?"
Coming. mamma" cried Lena, rs
she arranged it temptingly on a tray.
and then proceeded to her mother
room.
The scene of our story changes now
from kitchen to parlor, where Lena sits
in the cleaning before the rudy blaze
of the wood-fire. for it is clustering
March, her feet on the fender. thinking
of her mornings adventure.
She is interrupted by her pretty SIS
ter Edith, who skips into the parlor in
high glee. exclaiming:
"Oh, Lena, just think. We are both
invited to Madame CampbelI's party
on Thursday evening. and mamma says
we may CO." handing Lena the per-
fumed missive. Lena read:
"Mrs Campbell presents her compliments
to the Misses Brooks, aud requests the pleas.
ure OF their company at the party to be given
on Thursday evening next.
Monday, March 9Th, 49,"
"You will 60. won't you?" persisted
Edith. land, by the way. Lena who
was that you were talking to in the
kitchen this morning? Mary says it
was young gentleman. but, il so, why
did he come into the kitchen?"
TO see me, of course" laughed
Lena.
"Do you or do you not mean TO tell
me who he WASP" demanded Edith, i'm
patiently.
Feeling that she would astonish her
sister. Lena made long pause. cleared
her throat tied the bow of her slippers,
and then. with provoking GOODNESS. re.
piled:
at was only beggar boy. whom
gave something to eat As for telling
you his name, it is impossible. because
don't know it myself"
Wasting your time talking that way
10 beggarr' sneered Edith. well,
Lena Brooks. / am astonished. but
! then, your taste never was very refined.
No doubt, in the meantime, he was
cycling the silver. and we are likely to
be robbed one of these nights | shall
tell Mary to see that the doors and
windows are securely fastened here.
after"
Lena laughed merriIy at her SISTERS
fears. I'VE are in no danger of being
robbed by that boy Why. Edith. he
was so pretty and. indeed. il he had
been dressed in good clothes he would
have looked as good as Franklin Bert
ram. and / am sure be was as we'll
hammered"