Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1891-02-21
I stepped of to help the woman. On and
took toe little girl in my arms. always
had soft spot in my heart for children

tOOh tAc uttic SlI1 IL my dlms. alWays
had soft spot in my heart for children
of the genuine sort, not little old men
and women. My friends used to chaff
me on liking pretty little girls better
than l did the big ones, and think they
were about right. This one was so
bright and pretty wanted to give her
hug and kiss, but had learned that it
isn't always wise TO try it with the little
girls any more than with the older
ones"
's'I vikes to wide" the little puss
said, looking up,into my face all smiles
and dimples, and showing her pretty
white teeth between her rosy lips, 1t
makes my tootsies told'to walk, holding
up her plump little foot, poorly protected
from the cold pavement'by well l-worn
shoe"
"'Well, you shall get them all nice
and warm, | said, making room for her
beside the stove. The mother dropped
into seat with sigh of WEAKNESS, and
placing her bundle on the floor shifted
the baby to her lap to relieve her tired
arms. | was called away to attend to
other passengers, and returning held out
my hand for the mothers fare. The little
girl was holding out her poor worn little
shoes to the fire.
".It's dood and warm here, she said,
with a face all smiles and dimples, as I
stopped beside her.
".That's right, get all warmed
through, said, patting her on the head,
then turned to the mother again. She
had shifted the baby to her left kns,
and was carefully scare hing her poeketA
a troubled, anxious expression came
over her face, then one of alarm fol.
lowed
81 had ten cent piece in my pocket
book, she said, looking up, 'but can't
find it; Pm sure I put it here; I'm
afraid. and her lips trembled and her
eyes began to fill with tears, .I'm afraid
I've lost it.
"Her distress was SO evidently genuine
could not believe she was playing OF
as so many had done before, and I said
pleasantly: Look again, madam, you
will probably find it somewhere, and l
urned, catching the eyes Of the Presi-
1ent watching me sharply.
sThe woman turned her pocket in
,ide out, got up and shook her dress,
hen looked carefully over the floor, as
lid several who sat near her. Istopped
he car to help on and off several
passengers, then came back to the
woman. She looked greatly troubled,
md I could see only restrained tears by
great effort.
60 cannot find it, she said looking
,p at me with trembling lips, 4 saved
t out on purpose for this ride, and put
in my pocket-Dook just as started,
out it's gone, and l must have lost it. :
ssWhat was I to do2 The woman
eemed honest enough, yet l had seen
,thers equally 50 who proved to be i'm
posters; then there were the sharp eyes
If the President upon me, and If ]
altered in my duty off would go my
read, with no chance of the promotion
was hoping for.
1.-The rules are to- put off all who do
lot pay, managed to say with assumed
irmness, while all the tims felt as if :
gould like to pitch the President of meek
md heels instead of the woman. I'm
orry, madam, but the rules must be
,beyed' 1 know it, know it, she
'aid piteously, 'bur if you would let me
:ide up | could pay you when | come
back; shall have the money then,
pointing to her bundle of work to prove
aer statement; It's such long way, and
ms So tired, she pleaded, and there wa:
he chubby, dimpled face of the little
girl smiling up at me all the time.
Il felt as if would like to kick my
elf as turned away: if only dared ap
peal to the President, but no! none 0
:he men were supposed to know him
md felt as if his cold eyes were pierc.
ng me through aud through as if he de
lighted in the test I was passiu.
through.
. Hang the old rascal I said to M
'elf, III have to put the woman of, BIZ
I'll slip q quarter into Puss hand SO the
,an pay their fare on the next car
I'm sorry, madam tried to So
irmlv, but the sad. pleading look almos'