The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1889-09-11

tory, and on Sunday he never went up
at oil except for moment quite early
in the day.
The child from time to time asked
Bill hundred questions about his
work and the telegraph, and she was
particularly interested in the music Of
the wires, which murmured so sweet
ly all the time, like an @olian harp.
And Bill, who was splendid story
teller-having amused his own little
girl in days gone by with his original
tales-told her that the good fairies
made the music on the wires. He ex.
planned, too, how messages are sent
by telegraph and, for her amuse-
ment, would frequently place his ear
to an insulator and relate a pretty
story, which he made believe was
passing over the wires.
Yes, indeed, they were great friends.
were Bill the Lineman and little
Mile, and after they had been &C
quainted few months it is hard to
say which would have missed the
other most. Bill was always taking
the child something. One day when
he swung himself up the pole his big
belt would be bulged out with q
flower pot containing choice and
fragrant plant. At another time his
hip pocket would be filled with q
pretty box Of chocolate drops or he
would carry, by the handle placed be-
tween his teeth, basket OF ripe
peaches. Sometimes it would be q
picture book, but always on Saturday,
If on no other day, Bill would take his
little neighbor something.
But it grieved Bill sorely when he
noticed that the summer sunshine and
the fresh air passing through the open
window failed to bring the roses to the
pale cheeks Of the crippled child, and
he almost wished he might somehow
get acquainted with the ''good aunt
and propose in some way to send
Mile to the seashore at his own ex-
pense. He spent many hours each day
in turning over this idea in his mind,
but Bill was very reserved and disliked
to force his acquaintance upon
strangers.
One Saturday in September Bill. as
usual, climbed pole No. IA, taking
with him q basket Of luscious pears.
He had to stand at the extreme end oil
the longest cross-arm to be able to sci
the basket in the window, and as he
did this Mile, who was not feeling sc
we'll as usual, said to him:
"Do you think you could reach over
and kiss meP You're so good and kline
I should like to thank you, sir, and al
I can give you is a kiss"
Bill wanted to say somethi ng in re
ply, but he couldn't do 1.-THE felt TOT
"choky." He managed to lean over,
J however his feet on the cross-arn
J and his hands upon the window-sill
while his lank body spanned the space
between. He kissed the soft whit.
cheek of the delicate child. while sh,
} whispered in his ear:
Il s'pose you never hear p1Nth'
, wires messages from the angels TO
meP" she asked, childlike, but, oh. s,
wistfully.
, How the words did cut into Bill
} heart, for he had grown strangely at
: tached to his little friend. He feare'
that all too soon the angel OF dealt
: would carry Message to the helples
, little cripple--but he hoped not jus
: yet. He gulped down the lump tina
t rose in his throat and answered a
pleasantly as possible.
"Well, my dear. they hain't sent n
message to you, not direct; but often
hear 'em, those blessed angels wha
a watch over all little children, an
: they says to me: Bill. you must tr
8 and make 1t pleasant for that there Ii,
= tie Mile. She has tough time Of
9 allyn there so quiet and patient da
3 after day; so you must go up that pol
Q O. your'n and see her every day an
cheer her up bit. And these blesse
Q angels tells me, you'll find you're
# happy man, Bill, II so be you can wi
}, the love Of that there little gall"
Il "Ah, we'll, said the child. as Bi
9 finished. I'm glad the angels thin
!. about me, and II could l would te
Q them that you're very good to me. si
n l do love you great deal. Win yo
kiss me again before you gop"
/, So once more Bill the Lineman kisse
1t the crippled girl and then descendt
k to the sidewalk. M e4
). The next day. it being Sunday. Bi
D did not see Millie. but on Mond,
morning, as usual, he climbed po
y number TIA It was a bright SUI
,r shiny day in early autumn, but Il
r tenement house was on the east side
l. the street, 50 that curtains, where tn,
+ had such luxuries, were never draw
" in the forenoon. Up went Bill. Gag
to see the child, and he noticed befo
i'd he YVES halfway up that the windo
ut was up to its usual height but the
e. was no pale little face to greet him.
o. Perhaps Miles good aunt W
as at home? Well, Bill thought he wou
I'd take just hasty glance to satisfy hin
70. self, and then hurry down. He Il
err tened for moment, but he heard
= sound of footsteps or Of voices in t
. quiet room. So he peered throu,
Ill the open window and there, only fl