The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-02-12

vslise; then he laughed long and loud.
shaking SO that poor Laddie felt as
though an earthquake We're convulsing
the pavement beneath him. At last
the man found breath to say:
"Well, little fellow, don't see as
need much hep with this thin bleful OF
baggage, but that man who has just
passed has lot to carry; maybe he'll
hire you"
Before the sentence was finished, off
darted the boy, so fast that he overlook
the heavily laden traveller, and fairly
tangled himself in the long overcoat,
as he said:
"Will you please let me carry this
biggest satchel? I'll do it cheap"
This man did not laugh at least, not
aloud-and Laddie felt encouraged,
though the satchel looked rather
formidable.
well, well, youngster," said the
stranger, you don't look as though
you could manage snch heavy load,
but you may take this smaller bundle,
if you can carry it as far as the Gen.
trail hotel, for I'm in good deal of a
hurry"
Laddie hesitated "Would you pay
more for the big satchel?'' lie asked.
I've got lots of oiceps; just feelr'
This time the new man did laugh,
and said, pleasantly: mo. carry the
small one and I'll pay you whatever
you ask"
Whatever you askv' Could it be pos
sible? Then he could get the whole
sum at once! But no, perhaps this
would seem too much to pay 'Twould
do no harm to ask, however. so he
said, taking the bundle and trudging
bravely along:
Would twenty-five cents be too
much?"
well, that's rather a queer sum, but
! think can stand it. Why don't you
make it an even quarter, though?"
Then Laddie told all about his valen-
tine plan, and the three cents already
in his pocket, and the pretty card at
the book store which could be bought
for quarter. The gentleman was
very much interested, and watched his
little companion closely, as he went
on. At last, when Laddie stopped to
take breath, he said:
"Why don't you ask your papa for
the money!"
'"Cause papa isn't here; he never was
here since can remember, and don't
know if he's dead or not, but mamma
always cries when she tells about him. "
The gentleman stopped suddenly.
and, looking eagerly into Laddie's up
turned face, asked one more questions
What is your name?"
Mamma calls me Laddie, but my
real name is Lawrence Raymond; that
was papa's name"
Down went the load of bundles on
the pavement, and Laddie found him
self clasped close in the strong arms of
his new friend. He didn't quite under
stand it, nor why the stranger almost
sobbed, as he said: my baby! my
babyr' He hardly liked that, and so,
strengthening himself up as tall as he
could, he said, sturdily: ''I'm seven!'
Yes, yes, little man." laughed the
gentleman, but you used to be my
baby, and have come back to you
Now, let's hurry to mamma as fast as
we can"
"Without the valentine?" said Lad
die. wistfully, hardly realizing the
truth, as yet
We'll get her one tomorrow, dear
the finest one in town; but now. show
me the way home, and tell me all about
her."
So they hurried toward the humble
house, Laddie telling about mammals
troubles as well as he knew how and
listening to bits of papa's strange sto.
ry, which sounded almost as wonder.
full as Robinson Crusoe. At last they
reached the door and Laddie rushed in
crying, excitedly:
Mamma, it's come back-the valen.
tine - papa - twenty-five cents = oh!
dear"
Mamma gave a start and joyful
cry: then, suddenly, Laddie found him.
self once more warmly mbraced, this
time, however, in two pairs of arms,
instead of one, and he felt queer to see
both mamma and the newly-found
papa crying over him.
But the queer feeling gave place to a
most happy one, when, after awhile,
he saw mamma sitting at the table,
with bright look he had never seen
on her face before, and heard her say
to papa:
''Laddie has brought me the best
valentine l ever receivedr' = Myrtle
Koon Clergyman, in Detroit Free
Press