The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-01-07
SEEN BY The WAYSIcE.

The mother and boy were waiting Tor
the train in the Albany station. They
were 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 dizziness was broken by
a funny figure of an old woman, IN
rusty gown, a catsbin muff and tippet
and black bonnet made of as many
odds and ends as magpie's nest There
was suggestion of sticks and straws
about the old lady's bonnet, and her
false front was askew. She had a 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 aimless way of old people.
The high-school girls, in their big
plumed 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 a sa'
trio eye like Du Maurier's women, evil
IDENTIFY getting her by heart for piquani
item of chat The well dressed, lady
like wife of the first assistant book
keeper in the great grocery 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 a sight? Look at
her. She keeps mum bling and working
her fingers like an old witch
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
now to Dress said the mother. looking
fondly at him
Il shouldn't like to be her boy" said
ae, stoutly.
I'm certain if she had boy she never
would wear such bonnet No, she
nas no pice bonnet or boy"
He was silent, considering.
when | am an old woman, too worn
out to see how I look, l suppose you
will make fun of me. and let other peo-
pie do so" she said humorously, and a
little wistfully.
The boy pressed closer to her, pro-
testing. you never could look like
that if you were ever SO DID," he cried,
under his breath.
THAT is because have you to care
for, and make me happy, and tell me
what feathers to wear in my bonnet. "
They smiled at each other, for there
had been passages about the very be-
coming bonnet she wore in which the
boys taste had been referred to.
IF 1 hadn't YOU" she went on mu-
singly, and had lost all my money, but
just enough for bread and cheese, and
grieved over all l had lost. in money
and friends, till my mind was touched,
and l lived alone, among queer people,
4
must have been very nice looking when
she was young"
The boys mouth twitched, as he
turned his gaze from the poverty piece,
as some of the girls called her, to his
comfOrta Die, pleasant mother. The old
lady went proving about, looking for
something. A light step was at her side,
cap raised, and kindly boyish voice
asked: Can | do anything for you,
madame?"
81 was looking for some place to buy
some checkermints, said the old soul,
nodding carelessly and blinking with
weak, unpleasant eyes. IL like check
ermints if they're Boston bought, but !
don't seem to see any, and there used to
be boy with a basket come round in
the Fitchburg depot, and l thought
maybe / could find him here"
shall get you some at the fruit
stall?" said the boy. politely to her, but
flashing glance at the giggling girls,
which somehow did not make them
feel proud of themselves.
Then the mother watched her boy
lead the terrible old woman to the
candy stall and stand by her courteous.
~, pointing out this and suggesting the
other. till she made her fun bling pur
chases, and escort her across the hurry
ing passage to her seat in the train, out
of his own compassionate young heart
Boy, dear" was all she said as he
came back to her, but it was breathed
in voice of music, and she looked, as
she was a most happy and fortunate
mother. As we SOW we reap in our
children and their manners.
The BOY stood close to his mother,
thoughtfully, one hand just striving tc
caress the folds of her gown. Their
train called, ne picked up all her par
cells anxiously and marched protecting
~ BY her.
You have got boy TO take care Of
you" he said, lifting his eyes TO hers at
the gate.-Shirley Dare, in St Louis
Republic.
SeatnesS In Girls.
Neatness is a good thing for girl