The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1896-07-07

la formed the acquaintance OIL MLs'
Bonner and little Myrtle two years pre-
vious, when Mrs. Bonner was not IN
such destitute circumstances. But we
must follow the children to Morgan's
place on Chatham street, and thence
down one of those dirty side streets,
and up a short, dark alley-way, with
a dim, smoky lamp depending from a
gray rock archway.
And now, Myrtle" said Phil, as
they stood for a moment under the
smoky lamp, Il want to buy those
twenty papers, as I am sure the edi
ton will ran short, and l can sell them
to advantage. Here is your money"
and slipping some email loose coins IN
the hand of the girl, he was gone be
fore Myrtle had time to protest.
The scene which greeted the eyes Of
little Myrtle on entering the bare room
which she called home was not one to
gladden. the heart of @ little child, al
though the weak voice of the mother
was as music to her ears, for her mother
was ali in all to her.
There was no mantle piece to the
room, and a smoky lamp without a
chimney was sitting on q goods box
near the bed of the sick mother, which
cast a dull glow over the room. An
old broken cook stove in one corner,
without fire, bore evidence that the
coal bin was empty, and the rags
stuffed in the windows barely suficed
to break off the chilling blasts Of wind
1t was truly as wretched a place of
abode 10 every respect as could be
imagined.
How are you now, mother3 I do
so hope you are better, for l have lots
Of good Ee vs. to tell you, and 1 have so
much money l am just wild with joy.
l am going to make a good fire and we
will have come tea in a jlffy and I am
going down and get a lamp chimney,
some eggs, and some Of that nice ham
at the restaurant, and we'll havea hap
Ply Christmas Eve. Wont we little
mother7"
A faintsmile overepread the mothers
face at the happy words Of the child.
Yes, Myrtle, let Us have one happy
night this Christmas. 1t does not take
much to brighten mothers little lamb
does it9"
Not much, but then 1 have so
much"
Myrtle then hasten down in the ga
loon on the first floor and ordered a
0ushel of coal, and warmed herself at
the big stove a few minutes.
jake Muller, the proprietor of the
saloon, did not sell coal, but often ac-
commodat9d little Myrtle il this re
spect, as her purchases were 60 email.
How ish der mudder, little 'un9"
said this red-faced but Kind hearted
German, though the proprietor of one
of the vilest holes in that most DIS,
reputable section of the great city.
Il have not had time to see yet, Mr..
Muller, as | have jlst come in. I have !
not even got a fire going yet, and l
have now to go to the restaurant"
c. JOu SLuSg S1liOS OI, lSCtl6 III, 4
und I'll make der poy dake der coal up |
ind make dose fire by der time you
vos got pack, und as It vos dose Christ |
mas Eve I shust throw in 0 bottle OF
wine fer der seek mudder."
AS Myrtle thanked him and left the
room, a young man, somewhat the
worse for liquor, who had been playing |
a game Of cards at q side table, looked
up and asked:
Wasn't that little Myrtle Bonner,
Phil C~oleton's protege3'
''Yoh," answered Jake.
"Well, l work in the same office
with Phil, and he tells US her mother
has pneumonia, and it is thought she
will not recover, and that this girl is
her only support. Now, boys, Isug
gest that while she is gone we take up
a collection for her Christmas present,
and l want everybody to chip IN, and
40 monkey misunderstanding smaller
than an eagle"
Dot ish wright, und I vos schip in
more as vot some odder pheller vos
schip in, said Jake, with coDsf quent
ial air of self esteem, starting the ball
with half a dollar.
The collection netted quite a little
sum, and by the time Myrtle returned
most of the loafers and loungers had
been worked up to such a pitch of
charitable enthusiasm that each and
all wished to contribute, and we doubt
not hit that these hardened sinners