The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-10-27
LITTLE Tiff"

Usl edttu HOoAtS uinucf. lie mad dis
posed Of the great load Of wood which he
brought from Stony Brook. and would start
for home in an hour or so; meanwhile he
Eould'take a stroll down Main street
viii was pleasaut-looking fellow Of 90
years, with brown curly hair, honest, laugh
ing eyes. and very decided mouth and
chin. He had a glow upon his sun burned
cheek and q breadth Of shoulder and length
Of limb good to see.
It was balmy spring day; every one
seemed to be in the best possible humor.
VIA sauntered along, studying the differ
ent specimens Of human nature he met and
making mental comments which would
baye surprised most Of the objects thereof,
who saw in my hero only a stalwart coun-
tryman. ruddy-faced and br0wn-fisted.
Presently, as he came to an opening be-
tween buildings, he stopped suddenly, a
look of amusement and tenderness making
bin almost handsome. In the shadow of
tall brick block sat little girl with black
sr-Il@ts snarlej ell about a wee gypsy face,
With great black eyes. BY her side lay an
old brown hat and 8 small red violin and
bow.
The cbild's dress was dirty and tattered,
md her poor little toes peered from gaping
holes IN her shoes, which were much too
i,r-s for her. But she looked as happy as
oneen. and was talking and laughing
,oft,y 10 herself and singing little snatches
~ songs as she stuck some big dandelion
blossoms into little mound OF dirt.
viii saw. with great throb Of pity, that
she was one of the Ministries who wander
shout the city streets in the summer; she
vas 80 young-not more than or years.
And While he stood looking at her she
glanced up and saw him.
ppy, careless look vanished, the
IS were scattered. and she sprang
te leet, violin in hand, and stood before
ek, m'seer?" she said, with an IN
r. lie French accent.
he could answer she broke into q
Hr =, accompanying herself upon her
..s.-- mt. and ending with a quaint
Lei. as she held out small dirty hand.
Is ceiling in his pockets for some pen
ele uiTed:
lis yonr name. chIeken?"
m'seer."
m'seer; Tiphane-TiE."
rg the smile in his eyes the midget
laughed, showing a double row of small
white teeth, and began another French
sonv striking into fantastic dance at the
sane time. always keeping the small face
With its bic laughing eyes and glittering
teeth turned toward him.
You're a little monkey" he said, laugh
Ing heartily, as he tossed her q silver dime,
which she caught, and throwing him kiss
from the tips of her dirty little fingers,
turned away and was quickly lost TO sight
among the shifting crowds.
The sun was just sinking behind the
western hills " hen VIII drew up his team
10 the doorway Of the old-fashioned, COM
Portable cottage. Further on, half q mile
or so, was the village, with the yanes on its
two white church steeples glitterlng in the
suns last rays.
The shril piping Of the frogs came up
BON the meadow brook behind the house,
and q whip pooT-will fed sobbing through
the woodland.
This was WHY'S house, and his eyes
frightened as a little, tidy old lady in a neat
caD came 10 the door 10 welcome him.
But as be spTang to the ground there
scrambled from beneath the high wagon
seat queer little object-Tiff. She swung
herself lightly TO the ground and running
forward. eIung to the skirt Of WHY'S coat.
Don't send me back. m seer They are
Sc cruel. You we're kind to me to-day. |
saw you riding from the city and remem-
bered c9rang up behind, and am here to
live with ]ou always.
"N bat does this mean, William ?" said
Mother Tabor 10 establishments.
Then Will told hiSmother how Tiff played
20 him il the street. He had never ex-
pected to see her again. however, and her
sudden appearance had been as much of q
surprise TO him as to his mother.
"of course we shall have to keep her with
as tonight mother, and in the morning she
car 80 back n the city with me-"
b ifGls lin was taken in and treated to
h-- nd delicious supper of brown
brsa- I u.hk, and was finally put to bed
II z tiny attic chamber, clad in clean cot
ton nlgl dress which VIII had worn in
years before.
The uext morning little Tiff was very
hi-too Il TO sit up. The great eyes were
uonstursiiy bright and the little cheeks
nee scarlet Her mind wandered at times,
but sac kuew VIII aud smiled at him as be
approached the bed. And when be asked
her where she lived. she told him.
with cid Kaniff on Mechanic street.
But l have come TO live with you now,
m'seer"
VII. went to the city, leaving Tiff In
charge of bis mother. He found old Kaniff
up Three fights Of stairs in filthy tene-
Rent house. he was villainous-look-
Ing Frenchman. and a woman and two boys,
evidently bis wife and two sons, were with
boo
Nhsn VIII spoke OF little Tiff be snarled
VIe0Gsly.
roa Won lazy leetle rat She do nozzing
Gl DAY but play in ze'dirt and bring home
10 pennies. Mine! No, she not belong
TO Ss, she ess one orphan. / try to
laya Ter play re violin wiz my boys, but
she ess not good for noZiDgs. M'seer will
keep Ter? Very well, but ze violin
-dsi shonld be worth So. Merci merci,
ma1seurp
TIE I'D miser pocketed the S. bill which
fOr vi he
yol1z man hurried downstairs and into
We zen air, drawing a long breath Of
Iea years have passed. Little Tiff, un-
aet 10 gentle influence OF the Tabor home,
mas 3 own to beautiful young woman and
IlQ1ough h0usekeepeT. Her violin is still
precious 70 her, aud her voice, in its un-
Ntored melody, is something wonderful.
mar Is what Max KentOn says, their sum-
mer 0oaIder, and ne is a great musician,
Ies4sf OF the. Blank opera troupe, and OIL
eaJ now for a while on account of Ill
bsaah de Is very elegant man and
gresi'y admires Tiff. The knowledge OF
listory does not daunt him when he
as. Aother Tabor and Win for their per-
J to WOO Der for his wife.
she VIII listen to me-" be said, I'VE
WI - tried al once and start for the old
e0lH =. "a MademOiselle chooses her fu-
.9is az - glorious one. Her face and
be- les worth fortune to her,"
% Max Kent0n received their consent.
Iht5 will not stand in the way Of little
an brilsslet future, even though the
h9lSAt Of losing her makes their hearts
sehg slrely.
WIZ strols off across the pasture and
ga3'e al the bars to lean upon them with
, W. arms, and stare straight before him,
s.tag nsthing, deep pain In his kindly
a., ana about the handsome lips. he
S SaO"s now what his feeling for her is; he
gs s no. known before. While he stands
tI. sa she energies from the belt Of wood
'Ae ~ ana comes toward him.
,. one wears her dainty cambria gown like a
s,s,n put her big, dark eyes smile brightly
, H,l lfom unde. the wide rim OF her hat.
g u ~ mere is Max Kenton ?" he asked.
N. ne has gone, Will He means to take
So1 eIoek train for New York and wants
." ap 70 send his baggage after him."
t,a Guy Iin-why, Tiff, you never have re-
S i, MN and all that splendid future which