The San Francisco call., 1896-06-21

offered the giant. as he settled himself in
corner where post cast a shadow. AT the
word story Little Tom, whose feet had
been set in the way of righteousness
homeward - hesitated and was lost
Seated on the bench, very close to the
story-teller, her feet were straight out
over the edge. her head was against
Alexis arm. 1t made picture there In
the afternoon sunlight, and more than one
passer smiled at the queer couple-the
very grave little lamb curled up against
the big, unsteady lion
Alex Stuart knew many books and he
also knew Little Tom 1t was no fairy
tale he poured into her eager ear, it was
the story of Alexander the Great, told in
plain, strong language. HIS drunken
fancy made it seem real to him, and when
he finished with these words, "Then he
wept," Little Tom wept because there
were no more worlds to conquer. "Poor
Alexander, he wept," the giant was weep
ing freely in maudlin sympathy, while
the little maid waited with composure for
his tears to cease that she might suggest
another story.
The other story never came. Instead
came stern voice-"Mary, get down this
minute and come with me. Where's your
father?"
Scrambling down in a hurry Little Tom
went obediently with her fathers friend
only hanging back little when he threw
open Judge Steele's Office door. She stood
in awe of the Judge, who reminded her of
the picture of Abraham Lincoln in daddy's
big book, and besides daddy had for
bidden her coming into the office.
Her captor was both angry and in a
hurry, and with the introduction, "I
found her on bench in front of the Last
Chance with Aleck Stuart, drunk as a
! lord, crying all over her. Goodness knows
what he has been saying to her." he
slammed the door again and was gone.
There was silence in the Office as the
two men looked at the little downcast
figure waiting for daddy to pronounce
sentence. Fat child and spare man were
curiousIy alike. Lawyer Toms eyes be-
gan to twinkle when a tear rolled off the
funny nose, and picking her up and set
ting her on the edge of the high desk he
commanded, "Tell the Judge what Aleck
said to you."
Folding the chubby hands Little Tom
raised her eyes to the Judges face and
tale of the one Alexander as it had been
told to her by the other Alexander.
Warming with her story she forgot her
awe of the Judge and her body shook and
the pigtail vibrated anew as she described
the wondrous feats until her hero had
conquered the world and then she gave
sigh and stopped. 'Well, and thenP"
prompted the Judge, whose face was full
of interest.
Little Tom was silent. She swung one
foot, from which the united shoestring
looked up. II guess he was drunk" she
remarked.
"Why do you think so, Little Tom?"
asked the Judge.
HE cried" went on the child, with dis
gust in her voice. HE Just sat down and
cried cause he didn't have any more to
fight with. Aleck Stuart cried too-he
was drunk. Don't you guess Alexander
was drunk when he cried, daddy2"
81 guess you'd better run home and ask
your mother what she thinks about it,'
gave her that supposed panacea of child
hood-a dime-opened the door and
watched the sturdy figure up the street.
Both men smiled as she trudged along,
deep in the memory of Alexander, and
trying to reconcile his tears with his great
deeds. Just before she turned the corner
she nodded to herself decidedly and they
almost heard her say, "He was drunk"
o. E. H.