The herald., 1894-08-26
A e&sV'S FACE.
How n Woman Brought Comfort to
Methcr's Aching Rro,lst.


How n Woman Brought Comfort to q
Mothers Aching sroclst.
She had been hanging around the
place for week or more. The police
man who traversed that heat had order
ed her away once, but che was there
again the next day. looking at the pho
tographs on exhibition just outside the
entrance to the building.
What are you doing around hero
again?' he asked gruftly, somewhat net
tied that his first reproof had not been
needed. Didn't tell you yesterday
to stay away from here? Don't you
know you arc liable to be arrested? Yoa
don't look very well, you know" ho
added half alphabetically, touched by
the appealing look in the faded gray
eyes. ''The artist'll soon be raising a
row. You'll hart his trade. What do
you want here anyhow?'
THAT" she said wistfully, pointing
to one of the photographs in the fine
collection.
The policeman looked. Tt was the
picture Of a baby.
''It looks like my boy" she said
tremulously Don't you suppose
could get one Of them? It wouldn't be
any harm to ask, would it?''
The poliooman's harshness had van
ished. Perhaps the remembrance Of
baby hands gone out Of his own life
softened his heart, and he answered
kindly: mo, it won't. Come on, I'll
go with you. Well see what we can
do
The fashionable Wabash avenue artist
was visibly surprised when the couple
entered his studio.
"She wants to ask a favor Of you"
said the officer, pointing over his
shoulder to the woman in rusty black.
II guess you'd better do the best you
can for her,
It's ehe--+ A. -.-I..4O o~..-- u
the street." sho proceeded timidly in
answer to the photographers look Of
inquiry. "I've been coming here to look
at it for l don't know how long.
couldn't stay away, for, as told him
O moment ago, it's just like my boy.
You see, never had his picture taken.
/ couldn't afford it. I kept putting it
eff and putting it off, thinking that
some time would have more money,
and even after he got sick neglected
it, for I couldn't believe I'd lose him. !"
She stopped.
"Well?" questioned the artist.
'But they sent for me to come to the
hospital one night, and they told me he
was dead. The first thing I thought
was, And I haven't even picture of
him. So ever since then I've been look
ing for face like his. I've examined
every photograph and every fancy pic
ture l came across, but never found
anything resembling him but this. You
have one up here, too," she said. aris-
ing and standing before dainty face
looking down at her from its place upon
tho wall. "The likeness is perfect. The
same large, earnest eyes, the same long
lashes, the same curve OF brow and
cheek and the same bonny smile. He
was so pretty, my baby was I wish I
had that picture. Do you suppose
could get it?''
The policeman had walked to the
window and was watching the throna
on the street below. The artist coughed
and shaded his face with his hands, and
the shabby, preInaturely old woman gaz-
ed longingly at the pictured face before
her.
"It's an unusual request" the artist
commenced doubtfully.
But you won't refuse to grant it, a
low voice interrupted, and its owner
stepped through the doorway from the
inner room, where she had been prepar-
ing for sitting.
81 heard what you said," she went
on, and the sweet face was transfguret
with gentle sympathy as sho clasped
the hand Of her unfortunate sister, "and
want to tell you how sorry / am that
your baby died. That is my boys pic
ture. You can have the photograph,
and you can see him. Every hour ]
thank God for sparing him to me. -
The bit of cardboard on which were
lirnned tho features Of a child resern-
bling her dead baby was given to her,
and the woman, whose heart had yeatn-
ed for years for glimpse Of face like
her boys, went out on the street again.
Chicago Tribune.