Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1892-06-15
her hands in Joy, ran across the street,
and entered the building.

Oaa AAoh'
The busy editor dropped his pen full
of ink on the half finished page, and
looked around in establishment 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 q halo of
golden hair that curled round her head,
her dainty white frock soiled by the
dust of the city streets, stood gazing up
at him.
The small hands were clasped 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
never, no, neUer, send you any more,
and I've come to tell you you're q
naughty, bad mana 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 one?" he
asked, kindly, trying to draw Fredrica
towards him
But she resisted. "You made my
mamma very unhappy;" she cried, land
she don'teU cry?" she said, illogically.
Tel me all about it, dear, I'm 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
| ha
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 of
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 looked grave, but found that
she knew their address, although abe
could not tell very accurately how to
reach it He took the child by the
hand and passed out of the building.
Fredrica talked gayly on the way,
telling about Mrs. Johns on, 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
mo theirs stories, and she was sure all
would be right
Boynton halted at florists and
bought pretty bunch of roses for her,
that sent Fredrica into a perfect CO.
stacy of happiness Arriving at tho
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 brighten 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,
I've 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
| ~, extending her hand, "for bringing
my little Fredrica 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 / have something to
tell you, If you will allow me to come
in 1t is about little matter of bust
ness your daughter has brought to my
notice." said Eric.
Wonderingly, Agnes LeCharlton
bade him enter, and he followed her
into the little home that was destined
to become cherished retreat to the
busy man of the world.
During the talk that followed. Ag-
mes learned that Fredrica's new friend
was an editor, and one of the propri-
etors of the big evening paper to which
she had sent the story which was re-
turned 1t was not part of his work
to examine such matter, so Mrs Lee
Charlton's manuscript had not como
under his notice. This he explained as
he asked her to show him her work.
She brought out the story and some
other sketches with inward perturba-
ton, and gave them to him. Before he
had half finished the first there was the
light of approval in his eyes, and AR-
mes felt that he found something Of
worth in her writing. His words of
praise were few but sincere, and the
criticisms he made were gratefully re-
ceived
When Eric Boynton left them, after
an aff0ctionate farewell from little
Fredrica, he carried the story with
him, promising to use his influence in
getting it accepted. Within a weeks
time tue story appeared in the columns
of his paper. 1t was simple but skill
fully drawn picture of life in the south,
where Agnes had spent her girlhood.
II pleased the public, who were sati-
ated with the sensational, unreal tales
that were flooding the periodicals.
Thanks TO Boynton's influence, Mrs
LeCharlton soon BECOME regular
contributor TO the paper. Their busi-
ness relations-or what Eric Boynton
insisted upon calling their business re-
lations - brought them together fire.
quently. He became a familiar visitor
at the little home. Ere long Fredrica
was almost as fond of him AS of her
mother, and the remembrsncss of
fruits, flowers and bonbcns which he
always brought her did not diminiah
her affection.
One day, whom she sat upon his knee
in the little dFaWing-room, Eric said to
her "Fredrica, win your 'Liebchen'
do what you ask her to dor
Eyes, indeed. Mr.. Eric. WhyF'
asked the child.
1 a 4. -.