Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-12-27

OUT nauniul OF coin deliberately
counted three copper cents into the
small, brown PAIN. Sandy made no
cavll at tue pittance,-for once he was
rich enough to be magnanimous. Re-
firing to secluded corner, he carefully
pinned the quarter between the outside
and lining of his Jacket, and set of at
run.
In his dreams that night he spent the
money 20 times over, with the smiling
face of the beautiful giver beaming over
every purchase, aud woke with his head
so full OF confused memories that he
was forced to feel for his treasure to
convince himself of its reality.
With what a proud sense of COM
potency he hung about the shop
windows gay with Christmas wares |!
There We're so many things, any one of
which he could buy if he wished. The
bewildering counters, overhung by
placards bearing the legend "your
choice for % cents" were no longer part
Of an inaccessible palace of delight. He
imagined himself saying to one of the
smart shop-girls, "lll take this here,
mum W-and ilinging his money care
lessly upon the counter. He saw the
basket fly as if by magic along the
carrying wires, and return, with his
package daintily wrapped by the same
mysterious impulsion. He was Just
taking 1t from the girls hand, and
"Move on, here !" commanded burly
policeman.
And Sandy, with start, would feel
for the solid foundation of his vision,
and move on light of heart.
Christmas eve drew on, however, with
the treasure still unspent.
II just can't abear to let it 60" said
Sandy to himself fall along o. the
way she looked when she gin it to me.
I'll wait till to-morrer. | don't allow
ever to see her agin," he added visit
fully.
"I'll look in on Billy" thought he as
he climbed the long staircase of the
building shared by Mother Meg with
score Of similar tenants. "The little
fellow gifts lonesome by hisself."
He CROPPED along the dim passage and
knocked at a rickety door.
Come in p responded ehlld's voice.
Sandy pushed open the door. The
only occupant of the room was boy
of about his own age, who rose from the
cricket on which he had been sitting
and turned toward him the peculiar,
lntroverted gaze of the blind.
"Hcllo, Blllym
sob, Sandy Is it you? TN so
glad!n
Les have look at YOU, kid! I
thought SO! Ye've been cryin' y said
Sandy, with decision.
u couldn't help it, o, Sandy, it's
broke y
Whats broke?"
"My mouth-organ. Seems as If l
couldn't stand it, The child's voice
quaverod.
Hold yer HOSES, Billyl How'm
go!n to talk with ye, if ye commence
agin? Who broke it?"
she didn't 60 for to do it. Twas
mother-it slipped off the chair, an she
stepped on it afore she knew"
LES see it, Billy"
The blind boy produced the little bat
tered instrument, touching it teuderly,
as If it had been some beautiful, dead
creature.
"We can't mend it, Sandy. It's
smashed flat. Myiheg'd buy me another
but she cant. She's mostly sick, nova
days, an she's got behind with the rent.
Twas such company for me, Sandy-ye
can't thinll | don't know whatever
Pm goin' to do. mos wish / was
leadw
"Billyl don't We 60 to talk that-a-
way"
Saudy's face Redeemed and paled and
hi voice trembled.
Don't you fret, SandyI" cried the
blind child with swift conpunction, Ms
the tone of distress yibrated unon his
sensitive ear, "Mebbe, | kin git another
some lay. Why, yc ami roinI ~
realy2"
"Pll have to, Mother Mar NJ bo
wantiu' me. LII come again to: morrer
ayes know nssj tar aIvvors Dt Ny.
up my stockin', but | shan'r this year''
"I,ut We must, Iiilly-that is-nebbp
~" stammcred Sandy. "Promise me
veil hang il up.n
an do it, if We want me to.n-won.
deringly-"but taint no use.-mothnr
said SCI
"Gnoa nfobt y pi,n,n
"GooJ MINT Sa,,5 tJ
But oniIlf',I 800,
in ecarch ~ Sto,G'in vas ~ ny 'ileal!S
Mo onisiti,ns - 49, VIZ Het posi-
and am M ~ i, n3Missuils nc H., TN
keen VIM s.arr9,. - y 't III ssfce.' me
and ne dnlici%,,s o oI,,r a's tnih GSlhietts,
flaated AM 'i mn, ~, 40 -. VI . paNg saop
tS@noI,t rsit ~, sne lrosoS ult' out Re
hn wnntNnast ' 80 -, 80 .,. aos hu4gel, "a
cher mn ! III t1irl. ~ M'HS, Gomh ~
G Nv INK " t9 h lhen suaNenly plHhg
NE shon1d"or sI - ni slalt, ne opened
tbe lteoiar 4, I,,s ~ W ~ 'ual'
II rHo nIacn - w. nustr ~, instruments
crstonars ,n5 IN, ,1''oiatlty 9inPty OF