The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-03-02

Would YOU lend him tonme for an
hour, Mrs. Gresham I'll take the
best care of him. 1 have been used
to little brothers and sisters at home.
Please let me carry him off for a
driver"
AS she spoke, she was dipping her
soft handkerchief into stream at the
dirty sink, and washing the not
overclean and fever flushed little face
OF the soiled slin aud shrunken fan
mel skirt she took no notice. and as
the moaning child. soothed and re-
freshed. smiled up into her face. she
stopped and kissed the little forehead.
Had she been an Amazon, instead
of merely vain, incapable woman,
Mrs. Gresham would have been won
by attention like this to her darling.
and standing with arms akimbo, II
flock of bare.footed noys and girls in
the back ground. she complacently
-watcneas sHef avfsttor step Into the
luxurious carriage, gather the lap
robe over the baby and drive away
toward the green fields In the dis
tance. Then she drew long breath
of wonder and pride.
Was it fancy, or, when the hour
was over and the little one brOugh.
back, did Mrs. Jenner perceive an
effect as of picking up and straight
ening out in the wretched living
room? Had Mrs. Gresham for once
enGeavored to "tidy the place bit,"
that it might wear more cheerful
look in her visitors eyes?
If so, the little lady made no sign.
In a day or two she came again
bringing scarlet geranium and a
pot of nlignonette "a pretty ribbon
also for little Lucy's hair.
~ thought one of the boys would
a little shelf where these flowers
could stand in the sunshine" she
said simply.
And the result, which she expec.
ted, followed for the bright flowers
begged in their own winsome way
for clear pane of glass ana gained
it. The clean pane was the entering
wedge. Mrs. Jenner observed it, and
mentally thanked God for so much
progress. A clean floor would come
in time. And the ribbon made Lucy
happy land amiable. She behaved
better all day.
Jake. big shuffiing fellow, with
the prison taint upon him, unable tc
get work because of the report of his
dishonesty, which made every one
suspicious. was Mrs. Jenner's next
object of attack. She prayed over
that boy, she went from one trades
man to another. trying to obtain
work for him she listened with pa
thence while his mother. the mendi.
cant whine in her voice besoupht
Mrs. Jenner to clothe the lad decent.
ly. Fortunately Mrs. Jennef knew
when and where to say mo"
Sullen and mortified the boy avoid.
ed her gaze, and slouched out of the
house when he saw her coming. hung
his head and answered her curtly
when she surprised him within. But
none the less was Mrs. Jenner deter,
mined. God helping her. to save
Jake.
~ wouldn't insult him by giving
him Clothes" she replied. when Mrs.
Gresham had been more urgent than
usual "but if Jake will earn the
money to pay for them"-
"Earn the money ~ calculated
Mrs. Gresham, with scornful sniff,
"It's likely he could earn it. when
his characters gone. and not a soul
in town will employ him at any
price,"
81 will employ him myself, and
pay him, too." promptly responded
his friend. not minding the obsti.
nate set OF Jake's shoulders, and the
finging back of his shaggy head
The hair had grown since the prison
shears had cropped it closely.
"Jake," she said. looking at him
winningly. "my pony, Frisk. needs
somebody to groom him. and want
him exercised every morning. Mr..
Jenner was saying this very day that
the lawn mower will rust If it isn'l
used to say nothing of its being 9
shame that our lawn should look
worse than any in the neIghborhOod
Now, If you'll come and take charge
of Frisk, and see to the lawn, you
shall be well paid. and you'll soor
earn as fine suit of clothing as 6
young man deserves"
The light leaped into the lads
face. If he had a passion for any
thing. 1t was for horse, and to take
care of Miss Jenner's pony seemed tC
him promoted indeed. What Mrs
Il Yo--a. hoA n,0no fbronrh IL, noronod I.