Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1888-02-16

but still they need your kindness.
Little Harry Woodruff had been
brought up by wise and gentle
mother. She had taught him that no
day passes without some opportunity
being offered of service to the Master
by doing some little kindness to His
children. He--poor little soul!-was
in great need of kindness, but very
little, except from the patient, loving,
G,usy mother, came to his share.
1s,rtfur Benton, boy Harry's own
age,t .reated him with plenty of the
opposite quality cruelty.
Perhaps some of you have read about
Sylla commanding the bones of Marius
TO be broken. his eyes to be pulled oct,
his hands to be cut of, and his body to
be torn in pieces; and you have
thought with Indignation: what hor-
rible cruelty!' Yes, it was horrible
cruelty; but alas! there are cruel Syllas
among boys and girls, and Arthur
Benton was one of them. He would
rend the sad heart of Harry by hurting
at him, whenever he saw him, cruel
remarks, such as: Flows Daddy Red
nose! Where's mammy's red apron?
l can always see the string" and
'Hark! bark! hear the dogs bark,
The beggars are coming to town;
Some in rags, and some in tags,
But never. oh never. a velvet gown.
Poor little Harry knew nothing about
the broken bones of Marius, but he felt
that his own heart must be broken, it
ached so at Arthur's unfeeling taunts.
His drunken fathers red nose. Was
it necessary for Arthur to fling it in
his face? Did he not see it even when
away from it, in his minds eye? Was
it not great blot upon his child life?
And his ''mammy's red apron" as
Arthur called it, was it not right for
him to put it on TO help his mother
rub the clothes she ''took imp "Poor
tired mother" his lips quivered.
And the 'apron string that Arthur
averred he saw-well. well, if Arthur
was SO mean as to call his devotion to
the dear mother who had no one but
him to cling to, ''tied to an apron
string" he could do so; he would be
tied to her as long as she should live;
he soanted to be. AS for "some in
rags" ETC., well. he supposed those
were the drunkards' children, and he
was a drunkard's child; not from
choice, and-'Oh, it is so hardr' he
walled to himself.
One winter day Harry carried a
package of clean clothes to lady liv-
ing a mile from his home He skated
on the creek most of the way. although
on account of the mild weather he
was obliged to pick his way, thus avoid
ing unsafe spots. When nearly home
he met Arthur Benton, who dashed his
sensitive soul as usual calling out, as
he initiated drunken mans swaying:
DADDY Red-nose
Can't manage his poor toes;
Poor Daddy Red-nose-"
you'd better shut up" he said, his
face flushing. his eyes flashing; "and,
Arthur Benton, SEEM you can't swim
you might manage your own toes;
there's thin place over there"
going recklessly on as Harry sped
homeward with this parting shot ring
ing in his ears: Hurry. Apron Strings.
NANNY wants YOU" But above their
ringing there came scream of terror,
and Harry wheeled suddenly about
his face white with horror. There was
hole in the ice, and Arthur had dis
appeared. Thoughts rushed swiftly
through his brain. 81 Arthur is his
mothers only son. 1 must save him;
but oh. why don't he come up? How
the ice crackles under my feetr'
1t was the work of but a moment to
take off his thin corduroy-the rag
tag of the drowning boys bantering
and fling himself down upon the
ice. Crawling carefully on hands and
knees towards the hole in the ice. he
uttered = swift but silent prayer:
'Oh. God. save him-he isn't fit to
die"
1t was with transport of joy that
the noble little fellow saw Arthur's
head rise through the opening. The
face was white, and wan andlecared,
but its expression changed as q CHEEKY
voice called: Don't for PHYS sake.
sink again! Catch my coat Arthur!
Hang on tight, I'll save you yeti" And
save him he did. although with great
difficulty.
1t was an exceedingly humble and
shivering little boy that Harry half-led.
half-carried home to Mrs. Benton.
That night, when the rescued child was
tucked up in his warm bed, his kind
mother sitting beside him. the latter
was startled by burst of sobs. and
low. remorseful cry: ''Oh. mother!''
''What is it, Arthur dear?" Mrs
Benton asked, tenderly. docs your
back pain you 20 muehs"