The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-05-06

lay holding each others hands, and Hes
ter cried as hard as Lima Jane. Emma
Jane sobbed out an inventory OF her lost
childish treasures in her little friends
sympathizing ear.
Il had three doll babies" moaned
Emma Jane: land they're burned up
alive"
TN give you one OF mine" returned
Hester. smiling. "rll give you the china
one had before Aunt Mela gave me my
wax one"
And my best red dress is all burned
up"
"Ill give you the one I had last win
ter, II mother'll let me. Don't cry, EN-
ma Jane"
And I had eleven story books"
"Tll give you some Of mine. I'd just
as lieve as not"
"And-all those checkerberry lozenges.
hadn't ate one Of EN-" said Emma
Jane, with a great wall, for that was
the elimination Of all
1T was all my fault. cause I leased
you to stay and swing" iamented Hester.
I'm tell my father. and | don't believe
but what he'll give you some more. Don't
cry Emma Jane"
But poor, little. frightened Emma Jane
did cry long after her friend was asleep.
and when she finally slept herself that
red storm of cinders and those leaping
flames and rolling smoke clouds followed
her into her dreams.
When she awoke next morning Il was
as II she walked into a world OF loss and
disaster which was new TO her childish
fancy.
But before long the sun shone full
out upon that sad world for Emma Jane.
and more brightly upon It for even the
rest OF the Rogers family.
The fire was on Friday night. The
next Tuesday was beautiful spring
day. 1t was so warm that Emma Jane
and Hester could play outdoors; the
spring vacation had begun that week, 80
there was no school. At O'Clock the
two little girls were cracking nuts on
the doorstep, and Mrs. Adams and Mrs
Rogers just came to the door and stood
for a moment looking out, it was so
warm and pleasant.
I'm going TO have that sewing bee
right Of" Mrs Adams was saying, land
/ can take hold and help you just as
well as not. I'm real forchanded with
my own sewing. Wen get yours done
right up. II won't be any time at all
before you'r be as well provided for as
you were before the fire"
Folks are all so good; 1t does begin
TO look a little brighter" said Emma
James mother, gratefully.
Presently Mr.. Adams and Mr.. Rogers
drove into the yard. Mr.. Rogers jumped
out Of the wagon and came smiling up
to the door. I've just seen Hiram ne
said to his wife. He wants to put
some money into a new house, and come
and live with us. He wants 10 have n
real nice house. with a piazza, and a
bay window, and n bigger barn than the
other one was. with Il cupola on It, Then
I'm going to get all the insurance right
Off Wen have a better house than
the old one, and some money at inter
est"
we ought 10 be very thankful" said
Emma James mother, and there were
tears in her eyes.
Testers father was a stout man, with
a rosy face and a ring of yellow beard
under his chin. He tied the horse then
he came slowly up 10 Emma Jane with
his hands behind his back (which
hand will you have?" said he.
Left" said Emma Jane. shyly.
That's right" returned Hester's ia
Their with a great laugh.
Then he set a whole box OF checker
berry lozenges in Emma James lap. 81
told you father would get you some
Hester cried. triumphantly. The older
people were laughing. but as for Emma
Jane. she sat looking at that box Of
lozenges as II she had discovered the
mine Of sweetness OF the whole earth