The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-07-21

manuscript from her grasp and opened
it. There was no solution of the mys-
terry 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. Nonplussed, 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 little one who had once
called him father, and kindly smile lit
his face.
81 don't know anything about this
paper" he said. "Who did it come
from?"
From gran'pop," she answered, as if
that conveyed full information.
Eyes, but who's gran'pop?" 1 don't
remember him."
"Why, don't you know himP He's
been here often, and | came with him
once or twice, that's how 1 knew where
it was"
The editor racked his brain in vain to
think who gran'pop could be.
"Well, he said at last, "you sit down
in that big chair over there and I'll look
over this paper and tell you what to tell
him." Then he wheeled his chair about
and began reading.
1t didn't take long, however, for him
to decide what to do. He struck hand
bell on his desk and boy came into the
room. 'Send Mr.. Campbell to mer'
the editor said. A moment later the
city editor of the Chronicle entered.
Campbell" said the editor, ''do you
know whose writing that is?" and he
handed him the manuscript.
YES" said the other. "It's old John
Harmon's. He brought it in here this
morning and told him we couldn't use
it. It's all ancient history"
WELL" said the other, bit shortly,
cts the kind of ancient history the
Chronicle wants. Can't you see that
that is local mater that a good many
would rather read than news? Give it
a good place on the fourth page of to.
morrow's issue, and I'll try to see that
we have 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 discon-
certed at being turned down so sharply,
he took up the manuscript again and left
the room, wondering what was the mat
ter 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. Looking at
the little figure in the chair, he said,
81 will write letter for you to take
with you and give to gran'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-byew
he said, laying hand on her head, ''and
come and see me some time again!"
Then he opened the door and watched
her ring the bell and disappear in the ell
evator.
The elevator boy was quite deferential
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 she saw "Gran'
pop" just entering the door and ran
hard to catch him; but he had gone in
before she came up, 50 she knocked on
the door. The same instant it was
pulled open huriedly and the old man,
white and trembling, stood in the frame.
THANK God!" he breathed, drawing
her up in his arms and burying his face
in her curls. 81 thought you were lost"
mo, l only been to tn office!" ex-
claimed Polly, clinging to his neck
''To the office! Where do you mean?"
eth Chronicle office. took TIL
writing down there you left on tn chair
and tn editor gave me 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 upon
his breast he broke the paper with a
trembling hand and read:
The DAILY CHRONICLE,
No. 429- Street.
John Harmon. Esq.,-Dear Strive will use
your paper on local history in to-mOrrows issue.
We will be pleased 10 have you contribute col
umn of like matter as often as you can give it to
us, for which We will pay at our regular space
rates. Yours truly.
C.N. HAPGOOD, Managing Editor
There was a mist before the old mans
eyes as he read the last words.
WAS he cross, gran'pop?" queried
Polly, seeing the tears.
mo, Polly said the old man, strain
ing her to him; che has given us lots to
do, but it shall not interfere with your
play time, little One."-Kate Fields
Washington.