The Bossier banner., 1892-03-10
SEEN BY THE WAYSlDE.
A Mothers Beauti III Soul and How II
Made Her Boy.

LTC GFdlH I'll IttS fttOdnS SebVtcA AASJ
We're very great friends; and were al
ways happy together, although there
was nothing to see this time, and they |
were too tired to make talk.
Presently the dullness was broken by |
a funny figure of an old woman, in |
rusty gown, a catskiti huff and tippet, |
and a black bonnet made Of as many |
odds and ends as a magpie's nest There
was suggestion of sticks and straws
about the old lady's bonnet, and her
false front was askew. She had touch |
of paint on her poor old cheeks, which
the CRIME of the Fitchburg road no way
improved. She kept chewing on moth
ing, working her umbrella, and opening
and shutting the other hand in its black
| glove In the aitnless way of old people.
The high-school girls, In their big
| pliimed hats, began to litter and make
| Jokes to each other, watching the old
lady far too openly for good MANNERS,
| or any manners at all.
The young lady in the smart tailor
| suit who gives readings at Sunday
school concerts smiled back at them
and studied the old creature with sa-
tirie eve like Du Maurier's women, evil
IDENTIFY getting her by heart for piquant
item of chat The well dressed, lady
like wife of the first assistant book
keeper in the great groeery firm, drew
herself together in tactic disapproval
evidently thanking heaven that she was
not as some other women are. The
pink rouged cheeks and the rusty lace
bonnet made mirth for a roomful.
The boy began to laugh quietly with
the rest, in much amusement do
look, mother. Isn't she funny? Did
YOU ever see such sight? Look at
her. She keeps mum bling and working
her fingers like an old witch. D."
The mother glanced delicately, and
turned her eyes. Poor lady" she said,
softly.
.That scare-crow!' said the boy.
!, She hasn't any nice boy to tell her
how to Dress" said the mother, looking
fondly at him.
, II shouldn't like to be her boy" said
he, stoutly.
I'm certain if she had boy she never
would wear such a bonnet No, she
has no nice bonnet or boy.
t He was silent, considering
"When am an old woman, too worn
: out to see how l look, l suppose you
t will make fun of me, and let other peo-
0 nle do so" she said humorously, and a
e little wistfully.
) The boy pressed closer to her, pro,
l.. testing. You never could look like
o that, if you were ever SO old" he cried
under his breath
t.u,l =. booouca 7 bava won IN carf
a for. and make me happy, and tell me
It what feathers to wear in my bonnet.
d. They smiled at each other, for there
: had been passages about the very be
s. coming bonnet she wore in which thu
& bows taste had been referred to.
n 'If / hadn't you" she went on mr
j. singly, land had lost all my money, bu
j. lust enough for bread and cheese, an
ot prieyed over all had lost, in none
and friends, till my mind was touched
n; and lived alone, among queer people
0; | might look just like that woman. Sh
t. must have been very nice looking whe
y she was young.
;, The bows mouth twitched, as h
re turned his gaze from the poverty piee'
C. as some of the girls called her, to h
t. comfortable, pleasant mother. The ol
ne lady went prowling about, looking fe
&c something A light step was at her sid
er a can raised, and kindly boyish voie
T. asked: Can l do anything for yo
madame?'
81 was looking for some place to br
some checkermints," said the old sou
,e- nodding carelessly and blinking wit
he weak, unpleasant eyes 81 like chec
IN. ermints if they're Boston bought but
MT don't seem to see any, and there used
on he a boy with a basket come round
nd the Fitchburg depot, and I thoug
Ilv maybe I could find him here.
no .'Shall get you some at the fri
no stall?" said the boy, politely to her, b
mt flashing glance at the giggling girl
is which somehow did not make the
90. feel proud of themselves.
;s- Then the mother watched her b
or lead the terrible old woman to t
n a CANDY stall and stand by her courteo'
,vn ", pointing out this and suggesting
, a other. till she made her fun bling p'
mr. chases, and escort her across the hurl
,rv ing passage to her seat in the train, {
i'll of his own compassionate young hea
..Rov dear," was all she said as
leo came back to her, but it was breath
i Is in voice of music, and she looked,
ooo she was, a most happy and fortun
,dl- mother. As we sow we reap In
me children and their manners.
ing The boy stood close to his moth
see thougbtfully. one hand just striving
'oa caress the folds of her gown. Th
' train called, he picked up all her ?
GELS anxiously and marched protect
nds you have got boy to take care
,os+ YOU" he said, lifting his eyes to heri
'si the gate.-Shirley Dare, in st. Ii
flag "ep"D''e' ----
,,.a An Early Graduate.
,his ''I suppose you learned great