The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-07-05


his address as he got off at Nebraska line
ana told her to send him word If she needed
help. With warm hand-clasp he parted
from her to join the phantoms in her memory
OF folks tibet had bin kind to her, God bless
EN-" and then the train went Tumbling on.
But many Of the passengers had listened to
her story and were interested and they came
to sit with her and cheer her way. One pale
lad in the seat in front turned to look at her
now and then and to answer her smile. lie
was going to the new country for health and
wealth, poor lad, only to find eternal rest in
the sunny land, but his last days were
frightened by the reward for an act of kind
ness.
''She probably brought those boys up" he
thought, land denied her life for them. Is
she to die unrewarded. / wonder. There can
not be any good in the world If that be So
He thought of her and took cut his poor
purse: there was little money in it, too;
every cent, made big hole in his store; but
the consciousness of good deed was worth
something. 81 mayn't have the chance to do
many more" thonght the lad. buttoning his
worn overcoat. He slipped off at station
and sending telegram to Denver:
ITO Samuel Blair'-for he had caught the
name from her talk-"Your Aunt Hannah,
from Maine. Is on the w. g. w. train coming
to you"
1t was only a straw. but kindly wind
might blow 1t to the right one after all.
neh 'e was sii.lhS tneIe alter HIS ules-
sage had gone on its way, she leaned over
and handed him peppermint drop.
q. You don't look strong deare," she said
"hain't We no folks with yep"
None on EARTH"
Were both lone ones" she smiled San
We. An he keerful of the drafts, and keep
flannel allns on your chist; that is good for
the lungs"
You are very kind 10 take an interest in
me, 4" he smiled: but ] am afraid 1t is too
late"
Another night of weary slumber in the
cramped seats, and then the plain began to
be dotted with villages, and soon appeared
the struggling outskirts of a city, the Platte
River and network of iron rails
This is Denver" said the lad to her, ''and
I'll look after You as well as | can p"
II wun't be no burden" she said brightly.
"I'ye $40 yet an that's sight OF money"
The train halted to let the eastward bound
express pass, there was an air OF excitement
In the car, passengers getting ready to depart,
gathering up luggage and wraps, and some
watching the newcomers and the rows Of
strange faces on the outward bound. The
door of the car slammed suddenly, and a big
bearded man with eager blue eyes came down
the aisle looking sharply from right to left.
He had left Denver OH the express to meet
this train. His glance fell on the tiny black
"Why, Aunt Hannahw he cried, with a
break in his voice, and she-she put out her
trembling hands and fell into the big arms
tears streaming down the wrinkled face.
Il knowed Providence would let me find
We, SAM" she said, brokenly. and no one
smiled when the big man sat down beside
her and with gentle hand wiped her tears
away; aoo
years for you, he said, angrily, as she told
him why she ran away, land he said you
would not write, for you had stroke and
was helpless, and have written to you often
call his own brother villain"
1--WE wun't, SAM" she said gently, "but
just furgit; an i wun't be burden to We.
fur can wurk yit, an fur years to come"
Work, indeed! don't l owe you every
for You to come. There are so few dear old
aunts in this country they're priced. l tell
you. Why, it's as good as a coat-of-arms to
have dear, handsome old woman like you
for relation"
Then he found out who sent the telegram
and paid the lad, who blushed and STAN
Il suppose you want job" said thelbig
man. ''Well, can give you one; I'm in the
food commission business. Give you some
thing light Lots Of your sort, poor lad, out
here. All the reference Iiwant is that little
kindness Of yours to Aunt Hannah.
won't see bars and Injun's. nor the butfaloes
you were talking about. but the prettiest and
sunnest city you ever set eyes on"
He picked up the old carpet bag, not bit
ashamed of it, though it looked like Noah
might have carried it to the ark. They said
goodbye, and the last seen of her was her
happy old face beaming from a carriage
window as she rolled away to what all knew
would be pleasant home for all her waning
years,