The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-02-03
The O.d Man IN the Bake >Eop.
written for The Times by Frank j.
Craigie, JrD

written for The Times by Frank >.
Craigle, JrD
1t was a cold. bleak night. and the
thousands of New Workers who were eX-
posed to the cutting wind, laden with tiny
particles of snow, hurried to their houses
after the days work. preferring the
warmth Of their fires TO the fury OF the
blizzard
In a cherries attic room. high above
the crowded street. an old man stood
looking down at the black mass Of hu-
mainly, a seemingly interminable pro-
ccssion, moving slowly in either direction.
This is my birthday he muttered
"How different from what 1t was TO me
few years ago. Well, / must get sup
per"
He crossed the room 10 where, on box
which did duty as a table, stood his faded
and rough silk hat. Placing it on his
head, COnCeaflng his few white hairs ne
buttoned his threadbare frock coat about
his throat. and opening the door descend
ed the stairway, his dry, harsh cough
sounding through the hall long after the
noise of his footsteps had died away.
He shiveTed as the wind struck him,
and hurried along, regardless OF the
crowds who jostled against him. He felt
in his vest pocket to assure himself OF the
safety of his money. He had an hour be
fore sold his lamp, cheap tin thing
without a chimney, for ten cents. and that
was his all. 1t would buy little bread
for tonight and leave five cents for to-
morrow. after thIt--wcu. ne did not
know. He had nothing now; furniture,
books, bric-a-brac, every thing sold, except
no. he could not think Of selling that
the cane which his wife had given him
nearly seven years ago. IL was the Christ
mas before she left his home, driven
away by his brutal cruelty and neglect.
Yet he could not part with 1t; he would
starvc first.
His feeble footsteps at last brought him
TO an unpretentious bakery OH side
street lie shuliied into the store and
stood by the stove. coughing terribly.
ANY one could see that his miserable,
hdnd-to-mouth existence could hardly be
prolonged beyond q few months, perhaps
weeks. lie was a pitiful-looking figure
as he stood by the little stove, his tall
gaunt form still trembling with cold.
His thin coat hanging in loose folds about
him, showed that In his prime ne must
have been a large man. Even now there
was an air of neatness about him, which
seemed TO indicate thai he was above the
level OF the ordinary poor man.
lie waited while the baker wrapped up
some little cakes for the graceful. middle
aged lady in the front of the store. While
I'd In d frown. as he thought OF how hard
life had become since his eyesight failed
him, and ne could no longer paint the
pictures for which he had been famous.
lie felt d slight pull at bis coat, and
turning quickly saw child standing 10y
him. She was a pretty little girl,
with light yellow hair and wearing red
cloak. He put on his spectatles, so that
ne could see her more plainly.
Are you cold. sir?'
The sweet. childish voice touched a
chord in his hardened heart-a chord of
such tenderness as he had not felt in
years. lie took ner tiny hand in his.
NO. my little girl, | am warm now.
What are you doing here?"
Il am waiting Off mamma 10 buy some
cakes for tomorrow. That is mamma
she said. indicating the middle-aged lady.
Tomorrow is my birthday. DO you
have birthdays"
Yes, dear, lots OF them. Mine is to-
day"
"oh. is it? I'm SO giad! DO you have
cakes. too?'
NO little one: ] don't eat many cakes"
I'm sorry that you don't. They are
very good
Yes. they are. But. where is your
papa"
troubled look came into the bright.
little face. and she looked up at him with
a wistful smile.
II gdess | hasn't got any papa. Nellie
Rogers has. and sometimes when l ask
mamma why | hasn't she says I'll know
some day. She cried one time when |
said Nellie Rogers papa loved her so.
and | wished had one TO love me-
The sunken eyes OF the old man gIis-
tened with unusual moisture as he said,
IN his quvering voice:
.'You mustn't make mamma cry by ask
ing her about your papa. She will tell
you some day. What Is your name?'
Jane Marshall. ! Am ak years old,