Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1888-09-15
SELE.NI.

One April morning, While the sun was
shining down in Silver City, Seleni and her
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 pavcments of the little
mining camp wee 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.
7This 'ere's city, now, boys" he
cried. ''Just look at the organ grinder
come to town
"Give US foot, old mani" called out
asecond miner.
''Lct him alone. boys" said third
'Heis blind. >
Seleni led her father down the mar
row street, and piloted him safely
through the noisy crowd. AS she turned
corner she spied an unpreteuding res
taurant.
"Dinner 80 cents, " the sign read, md
she paused before the open door.
"We'll 90 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 bandaoa
handkerchief from her pocket and un-
tied one corner. A little roll of nickels
dropped ont on the table.
"Got enough, Selenl2" asked her
father, anXiously.
His quick ears had caught the click of
the coins.
'Lots," said scleni, shortly.
She hastily ted up the money, and
going to the counter, ordered dinner for
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 good relish. sH'a Mt the
meat real good, seeni.''
Bet your lifem answered Seleni,
calmly taking a SIP of milk.
"And the tomatoes, and the rice pud-
DIM" added her father.
eyes, dad, but don't stop to talk
said Scent
Selcni soon finished her own simple
dinner, and leaned back in the sti ],
wooden chair Two miners near by
looked up admringy. Sclcui's eyes were
large and black, as had beeu those of her
Italian mother, who had died when she
was born. Heavy braids Of blue-black
hair were wound around her head, and
her cheeks and lips were crimson. Her
old straw hat was tied down with faded
ribbon; her dark blue diess was stained
and shabby. She wore blanket shawl
around her slender shoulders.
"Wc've had splendid dinner, hain't
WEI" said her father, rising and taking
the organ on his back.
Seleni paid the restaurant keeper, and
tied up her few nickcls that remained.
Then She took her fathers arm aud led
him to the corner OF the street.
"Well stop and play here, dad"
Her father patiently began to tur n the
crank of the old organ. Seleni stood
beside him and eagerly scanned the faces
of the passers-by. Few seemed to think
the music was worth paying for. A lady
gave Seeni Il l0-cent piece, and amincr
carclessly tossed quarter toward them.
But their supper and anight's lodging
were to be paid for, and very few nickels
were left in the bandana handkerchief.
1t grew late at last. The organ grinder
had now played through all his tunes.
'.You are tired, dad said Seeni, as
her father paused. well 80 and find
place to Sleep"
eve don't want no supper, do we,
Seleni? We had such hearty dinner"
ayes, dad,n said Sclcni, family.
"And it WIS late, too, added the old
man. sit must ha' been most o'clock. "
"Be you hungry, dad, asked SEEM,
anyiously looking into his face.
'.Not a mite,' answered her father,
very chcerfully. "And s'pose I play
little longer. faint dark yet, is it2
Let's walk alongm
They turned a corner rand found them
selves on q side street in a quiet neigh
borhood. There were lace curtains at
the windows of some of the small cabins.
An open door gavca glimpse of a bright
Brussels carpet.
Suddenly young girl appeared at a
window and, raising the sash. very care
lessly tossed ont into the street beau
t;fnl bit wihered bouquet of dollhouse
-. ieleni quickly glanced up at
The lady, who was young and had fair
hair. This much she remembered al
WAYS. The bo lquet rol ed to the young
girls fe.t, then stopped. She stopped
nd picked up the flowers. They were