Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-12-27
CHANGE FOR A QUARTER.
Mary A. P. stansbury in tho New England
Magazine for December


ing. The air was full of fine flakes OF
snow driven before keen northeast
wind and cutting the exposed face and
near approach of the festival of glad.
ness and good-will-for Christmas was
but two days off-sutllced to temper the
elements to irritable sensibilities. Some
malicious spntc seemed abroad upon
the blast, watching to whirl an un-
guarded hat into the gutter, or, shyly
lifting loosened corner of coat or
wrap, to send an icy chill to the very
vitals of the luckless passer
Car No. 45 was but partially occu.
pied; and as the driver stopped upon u
crossing at the signal of two ladies
standing there, each male passenger
shrank little deeper into his great-coat
cellar, congratulating himself that for
the present there We're still seats to spare,
| A moment later, there was not one of
them all who would not gladly have
seized upon any rational preteXt to do
honor to the young girl who was quietly
taking place beside her companion.
''She was so beautiful said an elderly
gentleman afterward, that felt as ii |
ought TO take off my hat to her"
II wonder how it feels to look like
that" murmured the pale.faced seam
stress opposite bahind her veil.
Yet that which lent the touch of per-
lection to such beauty was that the girl
herself evidently did not feel It at all,
or, if she were conscious Of it, accepted
it as something quite as impersonal as
air or sunshine.
| As the speed of the car again slack
ened, a little newsboy swung hinslf up
| by the ice-incrusted rail. lie was tiny
fellow, not more than years old. His
| jacket and trousers were threadbare,
and his face blue and pinched with
cold. He made the tour of the car
slowly, repeating his appeal Of "Mornin'
papers Glo6e and 'erdldi" But in vain
another Of his profession had been
before him, and no outstretched hand
of n purchaser broke the indifferent
ranks.
In the farthest corner sat the beautiful
young lady. The poor boy was turning
| back, when she touched him lightly
upon the ragged sleeve
You may give me one said She
The boy looked at her, and wonder
ing expression parted his lips. He stood
an instant motlonless.
THE Herald, please"
He started as if from a dream, and
quickly drew the paper from his pack
age. She took it from him, giving in
return bright silver quarter of dol
lar. The little salesman was fumbling
IN his pocket, when she said gently:
Never mind the change"
hRut it'S DulV f1Up Giants mise
"Ies, know. You may keep the
rest"
Helen, you soft-hearted creature p
interrupted her companion. at is easy
to see that you are from the country.
Don't waste your sympathy on news.
boys-they are little rascalsi"
The tone was not loud, yet the words
reached the child's ears, and checked the
THANK you, miss y upon his lips.
The lovely face flushed with pain, as
the girl leaned forward impulsiyely and
laid her hand again upon the little tat
tered arm.
II am sure this one is not said she
boy p
Then she smiled full upon him,-a
wonderful, dazzling smile.
"Tell van what ~ ,id ti, .,..-..
relotinr ~ % iria;1 sa'u tIe conductor,
ayen;nS9 81 ~ 4"eiuens 10 ms Wile that
smii,ts ~ san, suGn Warinlh sort OF
nn 10o At l 49,, s,o iiGI 'S ~ mat car
myvsnIf hnt J ,'',', u oeeh stlVerih'
caIiart,, '"s o'''ie peSf euflilh my coat
Tn ta11 ,,,. -.
o,nrht va, Souns man IN iar ulster
nv go s,-'i,a ~ ittote tliaii the reflection OF
hin, nish w sn1e was enough 70 make
nisoos w" Si,t '1 H. moment TO change
r. ptaI 49,, VAN tne ltttle heWsboy, il by
S ~ uoiFs he coula nave had it all for
h hn s,,a ~, II was a novel experience, for