The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1891-12-16

on Long Island, last summer, hoping the
change OF air might tone her up a bit.
But it didn't do no good. There was lust
about enough Of her body left to hold
her little soul when we got back, and it
had wore away so thin that you could
almost see through 1t. 1 knew she
couldn't hold on much longer, but it's
awful tough on her ma, though, just the
same"
Here the poor fellow brushed the back
of his hand across his eyes. 1t shook
terribly.
"Yes, she used to sit up on the pile o.
sweet hay out in the meadow, where she
could Look clean across the Sound on to
the blue hills wey over In Connecticut.
She called 1t her 'Land OF Beulah. Some
of her Sunday-school lingo, l reckon.
Any way, her little crutches was there
handy, and 1 would bring her. great
loads o. daisies and them yaller things
that smell like pizen. l called 'em
weeds, but she said they was golden
rods. She'd string the daisies into long
chains, and tic the others up in posies.
She always called me uncle Rod for
short. My right name is Roderick. But
after that she never called me anything
but Golden Rod, and l reckon it was
all on account of them flowers. Never
mind, sissy Don't feel bad. You
needn't sell me your flowers if you dent
want to-"
BY this time, the little girl was crying
hard. Her mothers arm held her close,
but with an irresistible impulse she Sob
bed out; ooh, mister l can't sell you
the flowers, but l want to give them to
you for little Rosie! Here, take them
all, and, oh, dear, l hope she won't die !
Can't the doctor do something to make
her get well, mammal" The child was
fast becoming hysterical. The next cor
ner was their stopping place, and her
mother hurried her oil the car.
just as she was passing out, an old
fellow in the corner seat, stretched forth
his hand and touched the hem of her
simple, brown dress. As he did so, he
blew his nose with great snort on a
big, red bandanna to make believe he
wasn't crying, and then he whispered
softly, under his breath, "God bless the
child"
Bus the pathos of this little incident
was to find yet further expression. A
moment later there was little Jolt, the
quick scream of child, and the sound
OF mans voice, swearing horribly.
"Look sharpl We little impw he yelled
as he pulled up his horses with sudden
jerk. A little child lay close beside the
track. Its rag of hat was crushed
upon the rail, and the skirt of its calico
frock had been cut clean in two, by the
edge of the heavy wheel. 1t was mere
tot this time.
"Hebbens aud earf," she screamed.
"rse all runned ober, an me mudder's
lostcd!" she added, with another yell
that might have aroused the dead. A
policeman came over from the corner to
see what the row was about. The child
was too little to club aud so he took her
in his arms and tried to soothe her with
kindly words. A crowd began to
gather aud she walled yet louder still.
81 tells you me mudder's lost an Pm all
ruined oberl / wants me mudderl u
she screamed, with both fists jammed
tightly in her eyes. The tears were
washing white streaks on the grimmy
little face, and fluffy tendrils of tangled
gold strayed about her temples.
"Well, never mind Don't cry, baby,
but come with me and we'll find your
mother" said the big kind hearted
policeman, while he tenderly lifted the
weeping child aud got on the car. HC
took the seat just vacated by the little
girl who had carried the flowers, anC
tried to comfort the poor waif by show
ing her the big brass buttons on his coat
and promising to buy her some. candies.
But all 10 no purpose. Her poor little
heart was broken, and she could only
cry, al want my mudderl l want my
mudder!" Everybody thought what {
pretty child she would be if her face
were only clean. Her startled eyes were
like two big purple pansies AMI her hail
the color Of a marigold. The man with
the flowers conldn't stand it any longer.
He had stared hard at an advertisement
on the opposite side of the car withou
blinking to keep the tears back, aud now
he thrust the shining coin into the grimy
hand of the poor waif.
A"rakc it, sis, and,don't cry" he said
"Tell the copper yer name, and he'll taxi
you to yer mar. Poor thing reckon
she wants you as bad as you want her
aud she's cryin' her eyes out about yol
this blessid minute. Take the dolla
home to her and tell her TO buy ye som,
little shoes. She'll have you back al
safe an sound. But my little gals mar
that Pm takin' these flowers to-" ht
added, sadly, as he stopped the car
"won't have her back again, no more
forever. "-Nel0 York Ne,0s.