The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1892-03-19


Almost miraculously the child was
saved from accident and pursued her
way along the busy streets, until a
large sign on building opposite SSr
attracted her attention. THAT looks
like the place mamma told me-" she
said to herself, stopping moment on
the edge of the pavement to spell the
name on the sign. 1t was laborious
work, but when finished she clapped
her hands in joy, ran across the street,
and entered the building.
Eric Boynton sat writing profound
editorial at his desk in his private office.
| Suddenly the stiffness of the room was
broken by clear, piping little voice
saying: "You are n bad mani A Uery
bad mani"
The busy editor dropped his pen full
of ink on the half finished page, and
looked around in astonishment to find
the owner of the accusing voice.
Turning in his chair, he saw dimin-
utive figure before him; tiny maid
with deep blue eyes, with halo of
golden hair that curled round her head,
her dainty white froclS soiled by the
dust of the city streets, stood gazing up
at him
The small hands were claspedS and
unclasped nervously as she felt the
keen gaze of the editor upon her. Her
composure was disturbed and her voice
quivered, as, making an effort to be
brave, she began again: "Why do you
send back my sweet mammals pretty
stories and make her cry? She shan't
|
and I've come to tell you you're n
naughty, bad man-a bad californian.
THERE"
The quivering voice had gained
strength, and the violet eyes now
looked defantly at the astonished Eric.
what do you mean, little oue?" he
asked, kindly, trying to draw Fredrica
towards him
But she resisted "You made my
mammavery unhappy;" she cried, land
she don'teOer cry?' she said, illogically.
Tell me all about it, dear, pm sure
I'm not the bad, ugly man you're look
ing for" he begged, smiling down on
her mothers brave champion. Drawn
irresistibly toward him, Fredrica told
her story, and before it was finished
she was on Eric's knee, her little hand
clasped in his big one, her burdened
heart unaccountably lightened. At
the end of her recital the big editor
gave growl that frightened Fredrica
greatly, and almost made her jump off
his knee. But when she looked up he
| was smiling.
I'm not the man who sees the
stories, Fredrica," he said, "but we
will see about your mammals story,
and make it all right. 1t is high time
now you were at home, for somebody
will be terribly alarmed if she gets
| back and finds her little Fredrica has
mysteriously disappeared. Do you
know the way home?"
"Oh, yes Fredrica replied, you
just go down to the next corner and
the next one, the same alike, and
another, and maybe another, and
you're there"
Eric locked grave, but found that
she knew their address, although she
could not tell very accurately how to
reach it. lie took the child by the
hand and passed out of the building.
Fredrica talked gayly on the way,
telling about Mrs. Johnson, the twins
across the way and of mamma; of the
latter she could not say half enough of
praise and admiration. Her heart was
full of JOY, for she had the big mans
promise that he would 'see about" her
mothers stories, and she was sure all
would be right.
Boynton halted at a florists and
bought pretty bunch of roses for her,
that sent Fredrica into perfect &C.
stacy of happiness. Arriving at the
house he rang, although Fredrica de-
sired him to run around to the side
door with her
A lovely young woman, with an anx-
ious look on her face, opened the door
before the bell ceased to ring.
"Fredrica," she cried chow could
you frighten mother sol" she stopped
down and clasped the child passionate
ly to her breast. Fredrica threw her
arms around her mothers neck.
"Liebchen," she whispered, audibly,
Give brought the bad editor-man with
me, all except he isn't bad"
Puzzled and confused, Mrs. LeCharl
ton arose and looked at Eric Boynton,
who stood, hat in hand, his face soft
ened by the scene of mother and child.
81 must thank you," she said, sweet.
ly, extending her hand, 'for bringing
my little Frcdrica to me. ] had just
come home, and had searched the
rooms for her in vain, and was terribly
alarmed. 1t is not like her to do any
thing to distress me-"
"Fredrica and l have something tC
tell you, if you will allow me to come
in. 1t is about little matter of busi
ness your daughter has brought to my
notice." said Eric.
Wonderingly, Agnes LeCharltor
bade him enter, and he followed hel
into the little home that was destined
to become a cherished retreat to the
busy man of the world.
! During the talk that followed, Ag
l mes learned that Fredrica's new frienC
was AN editor, and one of the propri
} etors of the big evening paper to whicl
7 she had sent the story which was re
, turned. 1t was not part of his worl
to examine such matter, so Mrs. lie
Charlton's manuscript had not come
= under his notice. This he explained a
he asked her to show him her work.
r She brought cut the story and som,
4 other sketches with inward perturba
D tion, and gave them to him. Before h,
G had half finished the first there was tn,
light of approval in his eyes, and Ag
Y nes felt that he found something o
7 worth in her writing, His words o
| e Il. -