Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-03-03
CHILDREN HALF PRICE


BIZ mrs. II. I. RAYN1
MrA Elkinah wilkins Vas . soof
waman In all the essential virtues of
character. but she had one peculiarly
that had grown and developed until Is
became the shadow of sin.
She never meant to be disbonaak
let she ground her washer-woman'n
wages down to the uttermost farthina.
and paid her butcher and baker With
such grudging reluctance. that thev
almost hated to touch her money.
Often q she had read the Ribla AZ
never had weighed that frequent senti-
ment about expressing the poor.
She would not have picked . pocket
Tor the world; but if the conductor of :
street car failed to notice her tcket
In the obscure position in which
she held it, and passed en-, she clipped
1t back into her purse and inwardlv
congratulated herself on stealing
ride.
Mrs. Wilkins had one child, . little
boy.
She loved the child dearly, and
never acknowledged to herself that she
grudged him either food TO eat or
clothes to wear.
But when she took the innocent lii
tie fellow on the street car with her abe
Struggled him up and treated him ike
an infant in order to escape paying
fare.
Three cents for him." said the CON-
ductor one day.
aWhatl you surely don't take fare
for babies ?" she remarked indignantly.
SFor babies over eight years old We
do, said the infexible official Fare,
ma'am."
She paid it, grumbling all the while
and protesting against such Outrageous
robbery"
Little Harley was thoughtful child.
That night, when his mother was say
ing goodnight to him with great ten
derness, he asked in peculiar way:
Mamma, did God charge You .
great deal for me? Do little boys come
very dear?"
"Why, Harley Wilkinsl What put
such an idea into your head" asked
his mother in great surprise.
"Cause you can't pay for me. mann
ma; and think when God sends lit
tie boy into the world, He ought to give
him enough money to pay his car fare"
Mrs. Wilkins was not q woman of
fine sensibilities, but she was impressed
for the time with Harley's childish
reasoning. Then the old habit asserted
itself again. Her husband supplied
her with money for all incidental ex-
,>oD.ou op1 hoI M ;Jco <>f &l,o .sr--~,1o,
form in which her economy manifested
itself.
Mrs. Wilkins went to visit an aunt
and took Harley with her. The child
was delighted at the prospect OF long
ride on the steam-csr, and set out
with q merry heart. His nature was
shrinking and sensitive, the result of Q
very delicate constitution, and pleas
ure as well ss pain took q strong hold
upon him.
"Sit next to the window, Harley"
said his mother when they took seats
in the car, and the boy was very will
ing, as he wanted to see all he could.
Don't sit up SO straight; lean down
in the corner more" said his mother,
throwing q ehawl about his small
figure.
"But it hurts me here, mamma" re-
monstrated the child, placing his hand
on his heart.
Presently the conductor came in and
began taking up the tickets.
children half price" he said, "a fare
and half, if you please, ma'am.:.
Harley shrunk lower into the seat;
he would gladly have made himself in
visible.
"Sit up, my little man, said the con-
ductor, kindly, while Mrs. Wilkins
fumbled in her purse, and protested
that she had no more change.
"How old is the boy?" asked the
@He is six years old ESQ he isl, she
said to herself.
with two years added to it I'm
sorry, ma'am, but must have his fare.
He is too old to ride free"
This incident spoiled all the pleasure
of the ride for the frightened, humili-
ated child, who imagined everybody In
the car knew th.t he had been trying
to "steal ride"
That fall Mr.. Wilkins sold his house
and tried boarding for the winter. And
it would have been very funny, If
it had not been very sad, to hear Mrs.
Wilkins bargaining for room and board
for two, with little child thrown in.
He was very small eater, she said,
and could easily be fed from her plate.
and he could wat and not require an
extra seat at table, and sleep on q sofa
in her room, so he would be no trouble
to anyone.
So he was included, like a cat or .
parrot, with their belongings, and he
said not word, though he held his
mothers hand and read her face with
his great blue eyes while she haggled
about him. And shr told hrs father
that Harley had outgrown his foolish
baby fashion of ask ng .uestions.
But he thought. Oh, deep IN his
little heart, he thought and thought
over the complex mysteries OF life.