Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-12-16

AN AWAKENING.


TT WAS two hours past midnight and
January storm was raging. New
York lay foot under the snow which
had been falling all day and night, only
to give place to an icy rain. The streets
were deserted by all save the gual 1ians
Of the peace, and even they sought shell
ter wherever they could, secure in the
belief that on such night they were
safe from detection by tn. chance pa.
trolman. The clogged cutters afforded
no outlet and rivers Of water ran over
the mounds OF snow and gathered In
pools in the footprints made early in
the evening by hurrying crowds Of
workers eager to reach their homes.
At the desk of one Of the largest and
most luxurious hotels stood young
man, fashionably attired, leaning part
~ on one arm, with his face turned
toward the door. Near him stood the
clerk, and they were engaged In that
semiconfdential chat so usual between
men Of their habits. All life in the
vast caravansary was hushed under the
dreary, sodden sound Of the rain as it
drove its way into the snow
Suddenly one of the doors leading to
the street swung in little, and what
seemed but a gray bundle Of wet rags
flashed through and disappeared be-
hind a huge hall lounge beside the "a
diator. Despite the rapidity with which
1t came and vanished, neither the eye of
the clerk or that Of his companion
failed TO observe it; nor were they at
a loss to understand what it was. An
ejaculation somewhat profane escaped
the lips of the clerk as his hands in
stinotively came down upon the bell,
and the almost unconscious "Front!"
came as though jerked from his lips.
The young man, on the contrary,
Strengthened himself up, and smile,
caused either by the irritation of the
clerk or by a chance thought of his
own, broke over his face. The hall boy
who was running to obey the summary
command of the clerk was stopped by
a backward nod Of the head andwords:
"I'll attend to this!" The young man
then proceeded down the hall toward
the door and came within view of the
bundle, which proved to be boy Of six
or seven years Of age.
The child was sitting bolt upright,
fast asleep, with his little legs, stiff
from the cold, extended straight out
along the floor, and his hands c,asped
together in friendly embrace IN his lap.
His hat, which had fallen from his
head, lay beside him, and his long wet
hair hung straight down over his face,
almost shutting out from view the
closed eyelids, The little figure was
rigid, and the young man stood for one
moment In absolute amazement as he
realized the suddenness with which this
forsaken waif Of the streets had found
repose in sleep.
He had been accustomed to seeing
these boys about the great city, in all
places and at all hours Of the night,
finding shelter wherever they could,
and had never given them a single
serious thought. Now, as he stood
there in the quietude Of that night.
looking down on that little, silent,
storm-beaten figure, realization of
the extremes of life seemed to burst
upon him. He dropped into n chair,
his first impulse being to sit there until
morning, If necessary, a silent guardian
Of the sleeping boy, but, as he realized
the saturated condition Of the child's
clothing and his need of change, he
reached over reluctantly and gently
shook the little SHOULDER.
AT length the eyelids quivered, and
finally opened, disclosing pair Of
large, sleepy, blue eyes in mute appeal
for rest. For one instant their eyes
met and then the young man, with a
single hurried glance round, as though
he was about to do something wrong,
suddenly snatched the child from the
floor, placed him upon his knee, in
utter disregard Of consequences, and
inquired II he was hungry.
Amusement seemed to hush articula-
ton.
The silent answer came in an affirma-
tive nod of the little head and a bright
ening of the eyes.
A secluded corner of the dining-room
was sought, and an order given, with
the confidence Of an old habitue, for
anything and everything the kitchen
could afford at that late hour OF night,
now we'll into morning.
For some time after the soup was
served the little fellow sat in wonder,
gazing unblinkingly at his benefactor
Suddenly he reached over and touched
him.
what Is it? What do you wantf"
asked the young man.
"Jest wanted to know II yer wuz
dere!" answered the boy, sheepishly
rs 1t all rite, or is II jest one Of dem
dreains?"
A burst of loud and happy laughter
came from the young man as he gave
assurance that this time it was nc
dream, and, reaching over, helped the
first spoonful Of soup; then he dropped
into silent contemplation, as he viewed
n 4 l..