Wichita eagle., 1889-06-20
WHAT A MARCH WIND DID.

1t blew and howled and shrieked and
whistled, and did everything that a wind
could do in the way of noise and confusion.
But think the queerest thing it was guilty
of that day was to snatch up bank bill for
500 from Lawyer Eldon's desk, where he
was counting some money, and carry it out
of the open window He ran down stairs
after it, but by the time he had reached the
street the bill was out of sight.
Mr.. EIdon looked at the crowded sidewalks,
and felt that it would be hopeless quest to
follow money which by that time was either
in the pocket of some passerby or lodged on
the roof of some house.
Mr.. Eldon was greatly annoyed. The
money he was counting was not his own, but
clients, and he knew he would have to re-
place it, He did not Like to lose money under
any circumstances, but to lose it in this sense
less manner, and when he could bring no &C
ton in court of law against the audacious
robber, was more than his equanimity could
stand.
''It's the hardest thing that ever happened
to mel" he cried, throwing himself in his
arm chair and glaring angrily around him.
cts all that COMPOUNDED woman Simpsons
fault What did she mean by leaving both
windows open and strong draught through
the room? A nice housekeeper she is! It's
not the only instance Of her thoughtlessness.
Ill dismiss her this very day. I've great
mind not to pay her a cent of her astmonth's
wages"
But he remembered that Mrs Simpson
might declare that he had given her strict
orders, when she cleaned his house and Office
ON pleasant days, TO leave the windows up for
an hour, that the fresh air might circulate.
So as no blame could be attached to anything
but the wind, which was not responsible
party, the lawyer had to content himself
with grumbling against his own bad luck.
In small house on the very outskirts Of
the town there was no grumbling that morn
ing 1t was tiny little place, with flower
beds in front and trellis against which
large Marechal Mel rose was twined.
In the front room, very bare of furniture
but shining with neatness, Mrs. Grafton sat
at her sewing machine Her son John, a lad
of IS, had just arisen from his breakfast, and
was buttoning up his jacket before facing
the sharp wind which was screeching round
the cottage.
Mrs. Grafton was bright, active little
woman, hardly past middle age. She was
poorly dressed, but Enthusiastically lady. In
every line of her resolute face, in every tone
of her cheerful voice you recognized one of
those rare natures which can put aside all
regrets, all vain repinings for the past, and
throw themselves heart and soul into the
work of the day.
John was not handsome boy, but his face
repeated some of the strong, resolute lines
which marked his mothers, and the same
cheerful light shone from his brown eyes.
His fault was that when he wanted anything
he wanted it SO passionately that it possessed
his whole being, and he would sacrifice any
thing to attain it,
"Whew! How that wind does blow" John
cried, shivering. sit chills the marrow in
my bones to think of facing it all the way to
the warehouse Old Hansen is always cross
in this kind of weather, and he'll make me
fetch and carry and hustle me around till I'm
| tired enough to drop. Oh, you needn't look
at me, mother!" with laugh. did you
ever know me TO shirk work? / don't expect
to be errand boy or boy of all work in o ware
house all the days of my life"
Il hope not" she answered, gravely. "But
then, don't you know, my son, it depends
very much upon how you do your duty as
errand boy whether you viii rise or not?
Hard work will never keep you down. In
fact, it is the stepping stone by which all poor
boys rise"
John paused, with his hand on the latch.
Gwen if l do we'll mother" he said, and
there was a discontinued ring in his voice, II
have no education but the little you have
been ablo to give me. Oh, how do long to
go TO SCHOOL, That wouldn't cost me any
thing, you know, for the public schools hers
| ere splendid; but then we'd starve if / stop
| work.
IF l get the work of Stevens clothing
store, which they have partly promised me, d"
Mrs. Grafton said, you can stop work for a
year at least, john
He stopped and kissed her.
You're a dear, good mother, but that's
very uncertain. Besides, l don't think I
ought to let you slave yourself to death for
me- We won't talk of it any more, with a
sigh. MAYBE something may turn up"
Holding his hat firmly on his head, John
| opened the door TO meet such a blast that he
almost staggered. Dead leaves and dried
| twigs were blown in his face, and as he raised
his hand TO brush them aside it caught a
| piece OF paper Half blinded as he was, he
saw the paper was green and silky. Another
glance and he darted to his mother, waving
his hat.
'Hurrah for the glorious March wind!' he
| shouted ''See, mother, what it brought US,
| A real, true one hundred dollar bill! Look
at it look at it,'
| Sure enough, IT is" his mother said, exam
ming the bill. what a strange thingl"
| What q good thing What grand thing
| for US, motherr' he cried e1citedlv. Just
IS was longing for a little money so l could
so to school, slap, bang, IT comes in my face!''
lie capered around the room like crazy bow
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