The state herald., 1889-12-20
ENOCH'S LOSS and CAIN.

ENOCH'S Loss AND GAIN.
There had boen two weeks OF kite
flying on the common out Vanderbilt
way-two weeks Of intense delight to
almost evory chick and child in the
West end but still little Enoch was
unsatisfied. He had never had kite
OF his own. 1t Is true Tommy Boland
had let him hold his string once when
his kite was up but only for minute
while he Enlisted" for another boy,
land twarn't like yer avn, yer very
own," Enoch had said.
His hearts desire was to possess q
kite Of his own. He knew Tommy
would lift 1t for him. and he liked to
contemplate tho Joy no would nave in
sitting on his rock. holding his own
kite pulling against the wind.
EnOch was fond OF the common, any,
how. 1t seemed to him that 1t was his
big house. with n green and yellow
and brown carpet on the floor, and u
big blue ceiling away up high-higher
even than his kite would 60, II he had
one.
Enoch lived on the pike with Gran
ny Winship. the vegetable woman.
Why he lived there he never knew.
He sometimes thought he remembered
2 beautiful house moro beautiful even
IN the commons-wi flowers and
lires, and some one. 10 beautiful.
10bsed all In white, who used to come
~ his bedside aud kiss him, but It was
u very vague memory. and he seldom
thought OF 1t, save when he WAS alone.
He was alone on the commons great
deal. In the early morn he would sit
on his big gray stone by the water
cress stream und poke with his little
crutch into tho soft mud, making little
wells for the water to I'LL. and In the
evening, when the boys were out, he
watched them at their play.
He hud helped Granny to gather the
vegetables one. morning. and she had
let him ride with her in tho little cart
a. far as tho common. She gave him
q large fiat basket OF beans, which he
was 70 take 10 Mrs. Thomus on Broad
street. and then await her coming on
the common. Enoch had hardly taken
his seat on his stone when two young
ladies with their color boxes and stools
caine by. going to make an early morn
ing sketch.
They stopped and spoke to the little
boy, md one OF then said:
'Why, isn't th4'wa11sscress here ?"
'Yessum." said EnodA, s.and mighty
sweet an good ip1A ~ l don't eat
uothin' else for lunch some days.
'Well, then. you must get very hun
cry. my little man." said one OF the
artists.
"Oh, how l wish Mrs. Stewart had
.'She is so fond Of II. l wonder why
some ono doesn't get 1t and sell It."
Would anybody buy itP" inquired
Enoch eagerly.
"Oh. yes" said tho girls. and then
they showed him how top!ck and wash
Il.
Enoch knew that Granny went to
Mrs. Stewards. and conceiving sud-
den purpose. he picket md washed
enough cress TO all the basket When
Granny camc he told her what he had.
and she very willingly carried him
with her TO Mrs. Stewards.
He was very proaG OF the dino he
got for his basket OF sweet crosses.
and Granny said:
"Woll. rs that's the first money you
ever made you can spend 1t US you
please. Iii be bound 1t goes for
candy -
..Na.ysiron't Granny; you'll sce,"
-xAid Enoch.
He was up beiimes the next morn
ing, and at the little store on West
End avenue before tho door was open.
It was dirty. dusty little shop enough.
but u was perfectly gorgeous In Enoch's
eyes. because behind the hy-specked
glass In the little show window he had
seen rows and rows OF kites, green and
blue and yellow and red-cvery color
and shape and form; kltcs with tails
and kites without.
Presently, ms Enoch was beginning
70 wonder II perhaps tho man had
moved away, the man came out him
self and took down the shutters. IL
wants er kite. mister" said Enoch.
hobbling Into the store. IL want tho
blue one with whitc wings"
En0rh waited anxiously till Tommy
Bolnnd came by tho common on his re-
turn from market He felt that he
could not wait till tho afternoon.
when other boys would be out
Tommy WIS glad enough TO ''h'istn
tho kite for him. rnd when tho tail
was properly adjusted and the bcauti-
full paper sails were swelling nicely In
tho breeze. Enoch took tho string and
sat down to enjoy his possession. Hc
watched tho children pass by on their
way to school.nnd almost forgot TO en-
w them their ability 10 20. lie could
scarcely discern the outlines Of his
kite ngnInst the blue above, but She's
all right" he said "she's cr pullin'
steddy. an' she's mine-my very own"
lie kept very still on his rock lest
no should disturb his kite. but Il seem
cd 10 him he was following II. and
that 1t was leading him away--up
above the Vanderbilt ''horns." above
the new West End church spirc even
up TO u place where there were birds,
and flowers, and pictures, aud music.
and
'Mcbbc. he said 10 himself. "mobbc
the beautiful lady will cone an kiss
IN, like she did 10 many. many ycars
ago, before ] knew Granny or any
thing"
Suddenly be felt jerk. IL snap--thc
N string hung limp and loose In his
nod.
''1.ordy. she's broke loose cried the
poor iittlc boy.
We got mp an followed on beneath
the kite IN II futierc,l md twisted In
tho brccxo. floating over across tho
common.
"Oh. the telegraph poles. he muir.
murcd. but tho kite wns too high aud
escaped tho wires. Tho electric car
came gliding swiftly down tho avenue
just then anu Enoch hnd to wait for II
10 pass
"Oh. It's or goln' IN thcrcl' hc ex-'
claimed, Ms the kit. lodged In u lllnc