The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-12-25
A CHILD eY Express.
shs Was Going Way Out West to Live
with Her Auntie. She Said.

dozen frisky children chartered and
romped, forgetful of their own discom-
fort, while few Of their elders-a very
few--frowned at their noisy play.
There was one little creature in this
load Of human freight to whom 1.-THE
time was out Of joint" A little girl OF O
or years, making the isng journey by
herself, neither asked nor accepted com
partnership. Upon her breast was tightly
scwed card like this:
MARGARET wAYLAND
TO be
MISS Ann HINTON.
Stockton California
Not once did the ghost Of smile fit
across her face. and her manner was for
bidding. Naturally, the other children
wished her to join in their games. and to
that end prac;iced many childish art.
which was lost upon her. Even the offer
of an orange, or bit of Sample candy"
which the railway sutler dropped in her
lap. failed to tempt her.
Late that summer afternoon a home
bound train ran into station and
stopped beside ours. 50 near that 1t was
easy to see its passengers. Instantly the
child sprang to her feet and began tug
ging at the window. Finding the heavy
sash stubborn, she cried out:
"Oh! please, please open this window
There il my tcacherl Don't You see herr
Somebody hastened to help. and i'm
mediately a window in the neighboring
train was thrown open and signals OF
loving recognition were exchanged.
"Oh, Miss Helen, I'm going way of
out west-to live with-auntie! walled
the child.
IL am very sorry dear; how does that
happen:" came the gentle reply.
"Oh. because must. have no nam
ma now, nor any home-nor anything
Her voice was lost in tears.
Surprise and pity struggled in the
teachers face. Her answer only reached
the ear of her little pupil, whose next
words betrayed its spirit.
"Oh, Miss Helen, do try; I'truly do.
But am very naughty. feel so here
putting her hand over her bursting
heart.
"If I could But before the sen
tence was finished the two trains had
parted company and the dear teacher
was lost to sight. With wild cry the
little one stretched ont her hands TO
wards the flying train, then flung herself
upon her face and sobbed pi,ecusly.
There were no dry eyes among those
who saw her \ sweetfaced elderly
woman. who had entered the car az the
last station, and now occupied q seat in
the section with the child. wept in ST.
lence. bat no one dared TO intrudc upon
a grief so sacred.
So Margaret cried herself TO sleep un
comforted. With flushed and tear stained
checks she lay crumpled in the corner.
like n crushed rose. We hoped Ter un-
conscious signs were tightening herhome-
sick neart. At length she stirred. The
sweet faced woman softly placed a basket
with a Maltese kitten in it close TO the
child.
"Mew. Newt" began puss impatiently.
Margaret sat up. rubbing her eyes.
"New!" and puss pokcd out a claw.
"Kitty Is hungry, dear" pleasantly
exclaimed the woman. "Will you not
give her something from your lunch
basket?
Eyes, ma'am.'
Il thought 50. Pussic likes cheese,
lifting the cover. "Nill you give her
somcT
Hcartsick though she was, Margaret
could not resist tho cries Of tho hungry
kitten; so, by degrees, she grew friendly
enough with both puss and its mistress.
When bedtime came she let her new
friend make her ready for the night. and
seemed content TO know that puss would
purr until morning IN the very next berth
to hers. But when She awakened, sense
of her forlorn condition once more took
possession Of her, and she coniided to her
companion her dread of her new home.
which was now very near.
81 had only my teacher and you. She
is gone, and now am going TO lose you,
too"
"Well, Margaret, what made You love
your teacher SOP
Because she loved me. - was the ready
answer.
"Tben aren't you going to love your
auntie, who loves you well enough 10
give YOU home, though she has not
even seen you;
Il don't know"
ooh, yesl Even puss does as much as
that. You feed her, and she purs her
love in return"
but don't know auntie. She's an
old maid. Is'pose she's awfully cross
IL hope not, dear"
"Must ] love her if she is:'
HShe is Your dear mothers sister.
Could you not love her for that
"Change cars! Next station going to
Stockton shouted the brakeman.
"Oh, dear. Oh, dear" cried Margaret
Selling the woman's hand.
TRY 10 lie brave now; don't cry.
drawing the trembling little figure closer.
IL think you are beginning to love your
old auntie already. for it Is she who has
come a long way with <lssy to meet her
little girl. Are you glad, Margaret
She sat up and looked through her
tears at the woman, her face brighten
ing.