The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1897-06-11
GOOD WEIGHT.

Lillian Smell, teacher of the first
grade in building No.'3, public schools
of Windsor, turned quickly from the
blackboard whereon she had been
drawing a pert wren swinging Son a
spray of clover.
"Who.is crying?" she asked, in a
sweet, firm voice.
"It is little Agnes Gregory" volun-
teered a dimple-faced boy who sat
near.
Miss Smell crossed the room and bent
over the child.
agnes, little sunshine lassie, what
Is 1t? Can you not tell me all about
itT
Sobs were Agnes only reply. Miss
Smell kissed her gently, then went back
to her work. When 1t was finished and
the children all provided with work,
she lifted the sobbing child and tender
ly carried her to the teachers desk.
Here, somewhat removed from the
curious little ones, Lillian set about
soothing her pupil.
Agnes was pretty fair-faced child
of g. She had sunny blue eyes and her
hair, a golden chestnut, curled about
her face and neck. Her clothing was
clean, but well worn, and Lillian no.
tieed the gaping hole in the tiny shoes
as well as the thinness Of the faded
dress. Noticed it with a sympathetic
thrill of the heart that throbbed with
something of the divine spirit Of moth
erhood toward the children in her care
Agnes story was soon told. Her
widowed mother had had no breakfast
for her little ones.
81 don't care so much about myself,
Miss Snell," the child went ON artless-
ly, "'cause I'm mamma's brave girl,
but when little brother Royce
wakes up he will be SO hungry, and he
Is only years old. He does not know
he mustn't cry"
A little more questioning and Lillian
learned that some one owed Mrs. Greg
ory for sewing, also that she hoped to
have dinner ready when Agnes came
home.
Lillian looked out into the driving
storm Of a January forenoon. She
knew Mrs. Gregory, and her heart
ached for the pale young mother.
Miss Smell was quick Of thought and
uction. Ten minutes later Agnes was
In a warm cloak room feasting in the
dainty lunch Mrs. Smell had prepared
for her daughters midday meal. The
young teacher had written a note and
List of articles of food and was at the
door of the room across the hall.
The. teacher, Florence Fox, listened
sympathetically to Lilian's story and
to the suggestion that her own 12-year-
old brother be called from the sixth
grade to deliver the note.
''Of course, Fred can CO." she cried,
"and, Lillian, you say you have writ
ten TO Mr.. Davis the circumstances and
asked him for good weight. I'll send
an order to Cousin Hugh for a half
cord Of wood, tell him the story, and
ask him for good weight"
A faint crimson flush stained Lilian's
cheek, but she warmly thanked her
friend and hurried back to her work.
Mark Davis was stout, genial-faced
man of 3S. He sat in his office, his
mornings work at his book just fin
ished. Through the open door he
could see brisk clerks stepping about in
the grocery store from which the office
opened. There was an edor of spices,
coffee, fruit and fish in the air.
Eight hundred dollars more profit
this year than last" the grocer said to
himself. "Somehow 1t don't do a man
any good to pile up money when he has
no one to spend it on"
Here his reverie was cut short by
the entrance of a clerk who handed
him an envelope, saying: "a boy just
brought this"
Two papers dropped from the en-
velope as he tore it open. The first was
a list, including loaf Of bread, pota-
toes, crackers, dried beef, and few
other articles. He glanced over it and
opened the other. 1t was Lilian's note:
4Dear Mr.. Davis: A little girl in my
rom is crying because she has had no
breakfast Her name is Agnes Greg
ory, and her mother is a poor widow
who lives on the third floor Of No.
Hampton street. Please send the things
ordered Mt once. / will come in after
school and pay for them. And, Mr..
Davis, please give good weight. Truly
yours, LILLIAN SMELL"
Mr.. Davis had been friend OF the
Smell family for years, and It was not
the first time that Lillian had appealed
a. f.f,r, FOR <sn1x, In 1xs- SIss IL <,,z~