The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1893-11-10

| dShcU lOE Tie ellIOI. ne u iCI W S'lttil
her ON the way up, but she refused to
take any notice of his remarks, if she
| understood them. All her thoughts
were on the top story and the editor.
| Despite his funmaking the elevator
boy was a trifie impressed, and, think
| ing she might be one of the ''old mans"
relations, when they arrived at the
| upper floor he showed her to the door
of the sanctum and told her to knock.
| Then he left her and went back to his
post.
The editor was greatly surprised
| when a timid knock sounded on his
door, and in answer to his come i'm
! he saw over his gold-bowed spectacles
| the diminutive maiden who entered.
| He looked at her hard, but she did
| not appear discounted. She came
| towards him without hesitation and
! stood with one little hand resting on
the edge of the desk, the other extend
ing the folded manuscript.
"Gran'pop for got tobring it down,
so | fetched it - she explained, her
blue eyes looking up into his puzzled
gray ones.
Now, the editor was not man easily
confused, but this was a novel expert
ence even for him. In all his life he
ilCNSl IOCSIN GU III
his office so small and at the same
time so confident visitor as this. He
locked at her sharply, almost sternly,
suspecting he was the victim Of some
joke, but her gaze never flinched, and
the baby eyes were not frightened. He
took the manuscript from her grasp
and opened it. There was no solution
of the mystery to be obtained here,
however. The story was some local
history of early days. There was no
name, no mark of any kind to tell who
wrote it or where it came from. Non
plussed, he turned his eyes upon the
little figure beside him. Somehow,
in spite of the old-fashioned and much
worn clothes, it suggested to him that
of a little one who had once called him
father, and kindly smile lit his face
Il don't know anything about this
paper" he said. WHO did it come
from p
From Gran'pop," she answered, as
if that conveyed full information.
Eyes. but who's Gran'pop l don't
remember him."
why don't you know him? He's
been here often, and came with him
once or twice, that's how l knew
where it was"
l. lie tltllOT IdCh0u Ills DTdltl Ill Will
to think who Gran pop could be.
WE'LL" he said at last, you sit down
in that big chair there and I'll look
say to him" Then he wheeled his
chair about and began reading
1t did not take long, however, for
him to decide what to do. He struck
hand-bell on the desk and boy
came into the room. Send Mr..
Campbell TO me - the editor said
A moment and the city editor of the
Chronicle entered.
Campbell" said the editor, do
you know whose writing that is p and
he handed him the manuscript.
Yes" answered the other cts old
John Harmon's. He brought it in
here this morning and l told him we
couldn't use it. It's all ancient his
tory"
"Well," said the editor bit short
ly, tits the kind of ancient history
the Chronicle wants. Can't you see
that that's local matter that a good
many would rather read than news ?
Give it good place on the fourth
page of to-morrow's issue, and I'll try
to see that VIC have a column of just
such stuff twice week. That's all -
The city editor did not see the little
figure in the big chair, and bit dis
concerted at being turned down so
sharply, lie took up the manuscript
again and left the room wondering
what was the matter with the ''old |
man." and how the historical stuff |
had come into his hands.
When he had gone, the editor drew
a sheet OF paper toward him. Look |
in r Tho 1iftla GorIpo in tho oh .ir ha |
said: Il will write a letter for you to |
take with you and give it to Gram
pop"
She nodded her head wisely, and he |
rapidly wrote a few lines. Then he |
folded the sheet, put it in an envelope |
and rose.
The little girl slipped out of the
chair and came across to him. Good |
by.' he said, laying hand on her |
head, land come and see me some
time again ~ Then he opened the |
door and watched her ring the bell |
and disappear in the elevator.
The elevator boy was quite deferen-
tial to her going down but she paid
no more attention to him than before.
When she slipped out of the building
she hurried up the street, the letter in
her hand AS she turned the corner
near home she saw 'Gran'pop" just |
entering the door and ran hard to |
catch him but he had gone in before |
she came up, so she knocked on the |
door. The same instant it was pulled |
open hurriedly and the old man, white |
and trembling. stood in the frame.
THANK God ~ he breathed, draw
ing her up in his arms and burying |
his face in her curls, Il thought you |
were lost"
mo, only been to TIN office ~ ex-
claimed Polly, clinging to his neck.
ITO the office? Where do you |
mean -
9Th Chronicle office. l took tn |
writin' down there you left on tn |
chair and tn editor gave me a letter
for you he was awful nice"
The old man took the envelope she |!
held toward him and dropped into a |
chair. With the child drawn close
against him he broke the paper with
trembling fingers and read:
THE DAILY CHRONICLE,
No 429 -- Street.
John Harmon, Esq.
Dear Strive will use your paper on local
history in to-morrow's issue. We will be
pleased to have you contribute column OF
like matter as often as you can give it to us,
for which we Will pay you at our regular space
rates. Yours truly,
c. HAPGooD, Managing Editor.
There was a mist before the old
mans eyes rs he read the last words.
WAS he cross, Gran'pop - queried
Polly, see ng the tears.
No, Polly" said the old man, strain
ing her to him she has given us lots
to do, but it shall not interfere with
your playtime, little one. "-hate
Fields Washington.
GOOD NIGHT.