Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1895-11-02
THE PAUPER PUMPKIN


1t, for they don't grow round here; but
we'll see," said Mr.. Allan, as he rose.
Polly led the way eagerly, pointing
her finger as they neared the huge ball.
BLESS the child, it's a pumpkin ex.
claimed Mr.. Allan.
"A pun'kin" repeated Polly, expect.
ant. us It good to eat--insideT
Don't you know pumpkin pie?" Mr..
Allan asked, looking astonished.
mot very WE'LL" said Polly, humbly.
I'VE don't have pie"
"Well. people say it's unhealthy, and
I suppose your mother knows what's
best for you. It isn't ready to pick
vet" he continued, feeling 1t carefully.
II knew this was good ground, and I
told Norton It ought to bring q bigger
price. Such fancy-sized vegetables
prove It,"
"who owns the neld?" Polly asked
quickly.
"The town owns It now. It was my
brothers. but he left 1t to me. live
out In Kansas, and my wife and came
on to settle up affairs. They wanted
more land at the poorhouse, and 1t was
a good chance to SELL"
Mr.. Allnn's eyes were rowing over the
field, and he did not note the changing
expression Of Polly's face; but he was
concerned when he did look, and heard
voice Quivering with disappointment
say:
"Then It's pauper pun'kin-a poor
house pun'kin. after air.
1t was not long before Mr.. Allan
learned not only the history Of the pau.
per pumpkin, but Of pauper Polly her.
self. His tender heart was touched,
and when he parted with Polly to seek
his wife and repeat the tale, It ended
by proposing something that shocked
Mrs. Allan.
"We've talked Of II often enough
but not pauper! We don't know how
she might turn out. I never did like
paupers."
mo, It's hard to say how she might
turn out; but she'd have a better chance
with Us. Her eyes IRE for oil the world
like Jessy's," and then tho subject was
dropped.
A few weeks later Mr.. and Mrs. Al.
Ian met Mr.. Norton Mt the postoffice,
and they began to question him about
Polly. Mr.. Norton knew little more Of
her history than they already knew,
but they now learned that Polly was
sick, and Mr.. Norton shook his head
over her condition. Mr.. and Mrs. Al.
Ian lost no time In getting to her bed.
side. On couch In the cheerless room
devoted to sickness lay Polly, who
weakly smiled on her visitors. Mr.. Al.
Ian talked to her quietly, promising to
see that the pumpkin was duly picked,
while Mrs. Allan studied her and pat
ted her hand. When the husband and
wife were outside, Mrs. Allan began to
talk very fast.
I'll make her warm cloak to travel
In, and We'll start home as soon as
she's ut to 60. She's a dear childv'
I'VE don't know how she'll turn out"
said Mr.. Allan, smiling at her.
II guess we can pray for wisdom to
bring her up right, as we did for Jessy."
replied Mrs. Allan. "The poorhOuse Ia
no place for her. and want her, so do
sign tho papers and get her right
away"
The day that Polly Polly Allan now
left tho poorhouse was day long to
DO remembered. Not that the fact Of
her going away was remarkable, or
that any one felt very sorry-except
silly Sam and some other half.witted
Ones-but. the time Of her departure
was Thanksgiving Day, and Mr.. Allan
gave the poorhouse people dinner at
his own expense. And such dinner!
Turkey and chicken and cranberry
sauce. and the pumpkin converted into
many pies, crowned the feast. Polly,
still weak, but very happy, was carried
into the long dining.room toward the
close Of the meal. At the sight Of her
silly Sam set up feeble cheer, and at.
tempted to wave his pie In the air with
poor success, but was provided with
another piece.
SO the last scene In Polly's poorhouse
life was one Of peace and plenty. This
picture mingled itself In the drowsy lit.
tie prayer she uttered on Mrs. Allan's
breast that night on the train that was
carrying her to her new home In the
far West.
"Dear Lord, I thank you very much
for mother and father. Tell granny
I amt pauper now. And do thank
you for making the pun'kin 30 big that
there was pie enough for everybody.
Ameu."-Waverly Magazine.