The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-03-21

She asked for the editor. He tried to
chaff her on the way up, but she re-
fused to take any notice of his re-
marks, if she understood them. All
her thoughts were on the top story
jand the editor. Despite his fun
making the elevator boy was triie
impressed, and, thinking she might be
one of the "old mans" relations, when
they arrived at the upper floor he
showed her to the door Of the sanctum
/ and told her to knock. Then he left
her and went back to his post.
The editor was greatly surprised
when timid knock sounded on his
| door, and in answer to his ''come in"
be saw over his gold-bowed spectacles
the diminutive maiden who entered.
He looked at her hard, but she did not
appear discounted. She came toward
| him without hesitation and stood with
one little hand resting on the edge OF
the desk, the other extending the
folded manuscript.
"Gran'pop forgot to bring it down,
so + fetched i'll" she explained, her
blue eyes looking up into his puzzled
gray ones.
Now, the editor was not man easily
confused, but this was o novel expert
ence even for him. In all his life he
never remembered having received in
his Office so small and at the same
time SO confident visitor as this. He
looked at her sharply, almost sternly,
suspecting he was the victim of some
Joke but her gaze never ainched, and
the baby eyes were not frightened.
He took the manuscript from her
grasp and ope4ed it. There was no
solution of the mystery to be obtained
here, however. The story was some
local history of early days. There
was no name, no mark of any kind to
tell who wrote it or where it came
from. Non-plussed, he turned his eyes
upon the little figure beside him.
Somehow, in spite of the old-fashioned
and much-worn clothes, it suggested
to him that of q little one who had
once called him father, and a kindly !
smile lit his face.
'I don't know anything about this
paper he said. "Who did it come
from?"
From Gran'pop, she answered. as
if that conveyed full information.
eyes, but who's Gran'pop? 1 don't
remember him."
"Why don't you know him? He's
! been here often, and came with him
once or twice, that's how I knew
where it was"
The editor racked his brain in vain
to think who Gran'pop could be.
"Weli." he said at last, ssyou sit
down in that big chair there and I'll
look over this paper and tell you what
to say to him. Then he wheeled his
chair about and began reading.
It did not take long, however, fol,
him to decide what to do. He struck
ksnd-beu on the desk and boy came
into the room. ''Send Mr.. Campbell
to me!' the editor said.
A moment and the city editor OF the
Chronicle entered.
Campbell" said the editor, edo
you know whose writing that is?" and
he handed him tho manuscript.
eyes," answered the other 'sit's old
John Harmon's. He brought it IN
here this morning and I told him va
couldn't use it. It's all ancient hist
tory"
"Well," said the editor bit shortly,
cts the kind of ancient history tho
Chronicle wants. Cant you see thai
that's local matter that good many
would rather read than news? Give il
good place on the fourth page OF to-
morrow's issue, and I'll try to see thai
we have a column of just such stuff
twice week. That's all !"
The city editor did not see the little
figure in the big chair, and bit dis
concerted at being turned down so
sharply, he took up the manuscript
again and left the room wondering
what was the matter with the sold
man." and how the historical stuff had
come into his hands.
When he had gone, the editor drew
a sheet of paper toward him. Looking
st the little figure in the chair, he said:
'I will write letter for you to take
7ith you and give it to Gran'pop.
She nodded her head wisely, and he
sapidly wrote few lines. Then he
folded the sheet, put it in an envelope
and rose.
The little girl slipped out of the
chair and came across to him. "Good
By" he said, laying hand on her
head, "and come and see me some
time ayaini" Then he opened the
door and watched her ring the bell
enl disappear i'll the elevator.
The elevator boy S,as quite deferen-
t;al to her going down; but she paid
no more attention 10 him than before.
When she slipped out OF the building
she hurried up tie street, the letter IL
! her hand. As she turned the corner
near home she saw ''Gran'pop" lust
entering the door and ran hard to
catch him but he had gone in before
! she came up, so she knocked on the
door. The same instant it was pulled
open hurriediy and the old man, white
and trembling, stood in the frame.
'sThank God!" he breathed, drawing
her up III his arms and burying his
face in her curls, Il thought you were
lost"
''No, I only been to tn Office" ex-
! cl&imed Polly, ciinsing to his neck.
$50 the office? Where do YOU
uean?"
eth Chronicle Office. I took tn
writin' down there You left on tn
chair and th' editor gave me letter
tor you; ne was awful nice.
] t.-L.l. L., a.a.:ala,aa shn