Middletown transcript., 1897-07-17

Mrs, Cutler reflected that Royden
ought to come in Just about fifteen
minutes. In The first place-whan he
came-lhe front door would bang, and
then heavy little boots would come
pounding up the stairs, straight to
Mammals sitting room, of course. Mrs.
Cutler smiled, and wondered whether
Royden would remember to wipe the
mud off his boots. She hoped he would,
and vet, if she couldn't have her boy
without The mud, why she would well
come the mud also. So her thoughts
ran as she sat waiting by the CHEEKY open
fire; but when the mud actually comes
trailing in it seems quite different-you
know how that is.
On the sewing table beside Mrs. Cut
Ter was basketful Of Royden's stock
ings, each one begging to have its gap
ing wounds dressed with darning cot
ton, and outside of the curtained win
dow was a. driZzIing rain, city street
carpeted with mud, and clouds hang
ing SO low that they were obliged to
balance themselves on the chimney
tops. Altogether it was decidedly more
cheerful within the sitting room than
without.
Sometimes mothers fall so deep into
thinking that it is almost like falling
asleep. So it was with Mrs. Cutler,
when suddenly she was aroused by the
noisy shutting of the door and the rush
of hurrying feet. AS she started up
Royden rushed in breathlessly. His
auburn head was touseled mop, and
his eyes shone quite wildly.
"Mamma, Bill wants to know if
you'll mend his trousers. He's hiding
in the areaway till l tell him. They're
very bad. and said you would"
"Why, Rovden, wlo is BillP" He
must be some schoolmate, Mrs. Cutler
thought, who had met with an acci-
dent, and TO whom Roy,len kindly of
fered her services.
"Oh, he's the hrotblack. The lame
one, you know, outside Mr.. Nudes
store. Hurry up aud say, Mamma. He's
out there waiting" nyden knitted his
brows impatipn'ly, and Mrs. Cutler saw
that hcr du'y in regard Bill's trousers
Was. To her sons mind at least. a very
clear and simple matter. A boy with
ragged clpl hes, aud a lady sit ing idly
beside her wnrkbdSket-wta would be
more suitable than To bring The QUE to
the Other!
HAS he no motherp can't she mend
his clothes?' Mrs. Cutler asked, ia her
he!plessly.
lie basn', got any ~ ,tler, nor any
bjdy. Course | supposed you would
when told you about him." Royden
sud, With bit of reploach and sur
prise i'll his voice; and his face grew
anxious as he added cosxingly: cit
wouldn't take but minute, Mamma.
You just want to put piece behind.
l guess piece of-Gf one of my cid
ones would do"
"Fell him to come in and see me,
Royden. I can tell about it better
when see him. His clothes may not
be worth mending, you know"
"But he hasn't any Others" Royden
explained, as, the troubled look quite
gone from his face, he vanished to fetch
the waiting bootblack.
Another minute and both boys were
at the door, and Royden was introduce
ing Bill to his mother. Bill, ragged
aud neglected; Bill. with his pincied
face and his rickety crutches, stood
there, his hat in his hand, his boots
most beautifully cleaned, and made a.
polite little bow, As for his host, the
carefully trained and mucf-beloved
Royden, his tam o'-shanter still perch
ed jauntily on top Of his curls, and be-
hind him was a trail of mud which,
his mother decided, he should sweep up
himself. But of course she said moth
ing about it before the company.
.'How do you do, Bill? Royden tells
NE your clothes need mending," said
Mrs. Cutler, trying to smile very en-
couragingly; for now that Bill was
really before the lady, be seemed to be
overcome with confusion.
"Yes, ma'am," he murmured.
"LeI me see the-the hole," Mrs.
Cutler suggested; but really there was
SO many holes, she wondered which one
would be pointed out. Bill, ho ,ever
knew what he wanted. Turning him.
self partly around with shy, quick
motion, he lifted his coat very little,
revealing what was, probably, but a
small part of the difficulty. Then Bill
faced about again, his face flushed. He
glanced doubtfully at bis friends
sweet-faced mother, and then around
the dainty room.
guess I'n do, tho" he stammered
"He said," glancing at Royden, sas
how you'd mend feller's clothes; but
he's only little chap" and"-looking
around again-"I didn't know" He
stopped in confusion, and began edging
toward the door.
sob, DON'T 60" Mrs. Cutler cried.
''Come here and sit down beside me.
lloyden bring that low chair up for
Bill" Royden brought the chair and
took the old crutches, and then set
h.mself down to see what his mother
was going to do about it. No fear now
but she would Fix everything all
right.n Mothers always can, Royden
thinks.
| "Royden says.p began the lady, gent
! y, :.that you have no mother"