The Kansas blackman., 1894-06-22

IL may nave been the thought of
his own wee ones safely tucked un in
their warm bed, with their roSv
cheeks and plump bodies, that caused
hlm TO ask TheO where she lived.
Jim and me live down IN Polk
street near Canal. 'Taint far from
here"
In that wrctched part Of the
city," came from Hawley, with a
shudder, as he again thought of his
ow n wee ones
"'Taint SO bad. Jim saws il is a
palace ter what some have. He
knows some kills what haint got no
home at all. Jim'll be much obliged
ter yo' fer lettin' me come till he
gifts we'll"
with this she darted out Of the
room, down the stairs, then hurried
along Madison street over the bridge
I'LL she struck Canal. which she
turned down with the swiftness of
nlgnt-bird cutting the air with its
wings, until she came to Polk street,
where she entered a low, tumbled-
down tenement house
See, Jim, what I've brought yo'."
she said, bursting into the room.
"The'r oranges. Mr.. Hawley give
me a nickel, an / thought yo would
like 'em, seem yo'r' sick. Say, Mt
they butes? I'm tere keep yo'r job
fer yo'. Hawley said SO"
''Dld he9"
~ aw. He said he didn't like
girls, but told him | could do it as
well as yo' Gould, Jim, an he let me
stay"
"Yo' are awful tired, | reckon,
amt yo'" said Jim, munching his
orange.
"Naw. / amt a bit tired 1t is
just fun ter take them messages.
say, Jim, when Yo' get well, yo just
ask Hawley ter let me be yo'r 'sist-
ant"
"All right. Ny, but them oranges
are fine"
II thought yo' would like them.
Sick folks always must have things
nice. Did yo have yo'r supper"
II thought I'D wait fer yo," said
Jim, sitting up in bed. 1T wouldn't t
taste good alone"
The truth was, a cat had gotten
into the room and eaten the bread
she had left on the table for him.
''Did yo Jim?" she said. gently.
II didn't think Yo' would miss me
sO."
She hustled about getting a piece
Of bread for each Of them, and a cup
DF Frbnu Ip9f ho
ter, but they didn't seem TO mind it
in the least, the way they ate their
dry bread, and thought themselves
lucky when they had it,
1t was a wee room, like the wee
hoy and girl who sat munching their
dry. bread. and chattering as gay as
two magpies, over nest OF newly
Matched young Unes-just a cot with
scant covering, which made them
snuggle closer together in the cold
nights to keep warm, box which
did for table and chair, and broken
down stove that filed the room with
smoke when there was fire ia it. But
they didn't have fire very often, SO
the smoke didn't bother them much.
But one to have seen these two
gammies, as they sat there in the
\ cold, bare room, talking over their
prospects, would have thought them
millionaires instead of waits without
| father or mothers
/ Night after night 1.-THE wee girl''
opened the door Of Hawley's room
precisely at O'Clock, never one min
ute late always on time, until
Hawley began to speak Of her as the
automatOn. She was so bright, SO
willing, never complaining, HaWley
and the night editor began to look
upon her as an indispensable mem
Der Of the night staff. They called
her ''the wee girl" she was SO small.
But night came when she wasn't
there at g. 1t was busy night, too.
which put Neely all out OF sorts, and
Hawley swore until everything was
blue in the office. Both Washing
ton and New York we're sending
specials at furious rate, with nc
let up.
'Glrls are no good, anyway,
Hawley said, as message after mes
sage came ticking over the wires
sit is after g."
''May be she is sick" ventured
Nicely
Then she can send word" growlet
Hawley, as "tick, tick" went the
New York wire, faster than ever. a
will get some one else in her place. ,
Just then there was a big noise In
the hall, and someone called oui
lis she killed?" and the door opened
and an officer came in carrying 1.-THE
wee one" in his arms.
she insisted upon being brought
here, sir,n said the officer to Hawley
They were all on their feet in {
minute leaving the Washington re
port or the House and the New York
markets to take care of themselves
rs she dead?" came from them al
in the same breath, as they saw the
blood on her face and hands
mot yet replied the offcer, II
low tones. IA physician will b.
heie directly"
How did it happen?" asked Haw
lev, leaning forward and wiptng tht
blood from her face with his hand
kerchief.
II saved him-yOuF little Ned.
she said, in broken tones.
.'My little Ned" said Hawley
quickly.
Yes You sec, it was this way
] was hurrying over the bridge te
get here, and had just got cross whel
a runaway came dashing along. Jus
front Of me was yo'r little Ned.
knew him from his long curls-ht
xUnS hare one nipht Yn' know.