The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-06-10

Papa" said Mollie. conidentially, nest
ling closer 10 her father. at the beginning
OF their usual after-dinner talk, i nave
something to tell you
What dreadful thing have you been
doing now, Mistress Nary laughed pa
pa. your classic brow IS all in Fuckers
I'm very serious, papa, really, an
swcrcd MOllie. You know what I've
world. 'cept you"-with parenthetical
hug-"don't you. papaT
"A piano" answered papa, promptly.
YES" nodded Molie. Course you
know how / want a piano"
80 I've heard you remark. and you
know how 1 want 10 give you one, my
pet. If only"
Times are so hard; Seems to me times
always have been hard. papa MOllie
said. in her Old-fashioned way.
Papa nodded with little sigh.
They'll be better some time. dear.
Some day people Will buy my books, and
we'll have piano, and pony-cart and
"Ah, piano. MoIHe cried clapplng
her hands. And FL take lessons, ami
be great musician and support you,
father dear. when you are dear Old
white-haired gentleman" and Mollie 10y
iugly sfrOked the dark hair, already
strealed with gray.
wen have beautiful times. But we have
me- uni-5 non. yOu ana /, don we. a.
I'VE certainly do. little daughter. But
now for the welghty secret"
"Wen. / hope you won't mind. but
thought I'd just try to save some money
NY own self. and --" MOlie Owed into
her pocket. "Sec papa" and she held
up to his. astonishet eyes. ten crisp one
You wonderful chndr' and MoIie dis
appeared I'm one Of papa's bears hugs
How in the name OF wonder"
"All by myself cried Mollie, trium-
Z
her hair and very shining as to her eyes
and I've been doing it ever since Christ
mas"
Il wanted to earn some money for a
piano myself. just for a starter. you
know. They cost a lot. don't they? Well
you know Mrs. Adams. upstairs ana how
j used to take care Of Resale for her
sometimes? Bout Christmas time when
they We're all busy, ] thought IA make
a business OF H." Mollie went on with
her most practical air; 80 l asked Mrs
Mott and Mrs. Adams. and Mrs. Howe
if they wouldn't like me 10 muse their
babies regularly every day. or when
they went out. or the girl was busy. And
they all did, and said they'd pay me- ten
cents an hour Just think Of that SO
I've unused them ever so many times,
and yesterday ! counted up my money,
and ] had ten dollars. and Mrs. Adams
had her husband bring me these new doll
lar bills home from the bank for it," And
Molie. breathiess ard exuitant. waved
them around her head.
Isn't that good beginning, father
MY precious little daughter" said pa
pa. after long pause. during which he
held Molle in close embrace again.
Papa doesn't know what to say You
are the bravest little girl that ever was.
to do this 50 persistently. Did you never
get tiredT'
"Sometimes." said Mollie honestly;
"but generally l didn't mind" she added,
cheerily, FOR once in n while | get lit
tie bit lonesome while you are gone"
MY poor little girl!' said papa, ptiful-
Papa and Monie lived all by themselves
in two rooms In New York. Mollie scarce
iy remembered her dear, pretty mamma,
but her father talked so much OF her,
and she knew 50 well every line Of the
beautiful face that smiled down on them
from the wall, that mamma was still Il
living presence with them.
Her father his friends said was an un-
appreciated genius. for his books by no
means took the public by storm. Sti!l
they had = quiet, Steady sale, that kept
tainiy growing in popularity. his pub
fishers said, and they predicted, conf
IDENTIFY, future for him.
Mollie was only eleven, womanly and
quaint, through being her fathers con-
slant companion, but always CHEEKY and
papa's sunshine" he loved to
call her.
For a year or two past her father had
been busy on wort. that required much
research In the libraries. and he had been
obliged TO go downtown about 10 every
morning. returning usually about 4. This
was Mollies gala-time. for she had him
then to herself He heard her lessons,
which she had conscientiously prepared.
then they went to walk and TO dinner
This was the greatest fun OF all. for
they found queer little restaurants,
French or Italian. and would gaily exper-
tment on new dishes.
Then they went home, and after that
came the long. confidential talks I'm the
dusk. in which Molie's soul delighted
For the last wear Mollie had prenared
the simple breakfasts OF little fruit.
coffee, rolls. and eggs. herself and her
oYn little lunch. too. She took all the
care OF their two rooms. and altogether
WIS the hanpest. gayest. little housek eep-
er In the great city. At .. Molie went
to bed. and her father. after costly tuck