The Opelousas courier., 1897-07-10

~. I-f|A- LN 0"A SSHSSAo "
\ sIsina=k ~ Windsor, turned
's3~asg7~3E quickly from the
@ss;S47sssXxZ.'\ blackboard where
1.>.idszISSHgIe-~ on she had beer
drawing a per-
wren swinging on a spray Of clover.
"Who is crying?" she asked, in
sweet, firm voice.
est is little Agnes Gregory" volun,
teered q dimple-faced boy who sal
near.
Miss Smell crossed the room and
bent over the child.
"Agnes, what is it? Can you not
tell me oil about it,"
Sobs we're Agnes's only reply. Miss
Smell kissed her gently, then went
back to her work. When it was fin.
ished and the children all provided
with work, she lifted the sobbins
child and tenderly carried her to
the teachers desk. Here, somewhat
removed from the curious little ones,
Lillian set about soothing her pupil.
Agnes was a pretty fair-faced chila
of Sly. She had sunny blue eyes and
her hair, a golden chestnut, curled
about her face and neck. Her cloth.
ing was clean, but we'll worn, and Lii
ian noticed the gaping hole in the tiny
shoe as we'll as the thinness of the
faded dress. Noticed it with a sym
pathetic thrill of the heart that
throbbed with something of the divine
spirit of motherhood toward the chill
dren in her care.
Agnes's story was soon told. Her
widowed mother had had no breakfaat
for her little ones.
81 don't a so much about my
self, Miss Snell," the child went on
artlessly, "'caase I'm mammals brave
girl, but when little brother Royce
wakes up he will be SO hungry, and he
is only three years. He does not know
he mustn't cry"
A little more questioning and Lillian
learned that someone owed Mrs. Greg
DRY 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
action. Ten minutes later Agnes was
in the warm cloak room feastlng on the
dainty lunch Mrs. Smell had prepared
for her daughters midday meal. The
young teacher. had written a note and
a list of articles of food and was at the
door of the room across the hall.
The teacher, Florence Fox, listened
alphabetically to Lilian's story and
to the suggestion that her own twelve
year-old brother be called from the
sixth grade to deliver the note.
"Of curse Fred con co." she cried,
''And Lillian, you say you have written
to Mr.. Davis the circumstances and
asked him for good weight. I'll send
an order to cousin Hugh for q half
cord Of wood, tell him the story, and
ask him likewise for good weight"
A faint crimson flush stained Lilian's
cheek, but she warmly thankeSssher
friend and hurried back to Ter WORT
Mark Davis was a stout, genial.faced
man of thirty. eight. He sat in his
Office, his mornings work at his books
just finished. Through thesopen door
he could see brisk clerks stepping
about in the grocery store from which
the Office opened. There was an odor
of spices, coffee, fruit and fish in the
air.
Eight hundred dollars more profit
this year than last" the grocer said to
himself. Somehow it don't do a man
any good to pile up money. when he
has no one to spend 1t 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 > list, including q loaf Of bread,
potatoes, crackers, dried beef and a
few other articles. He glanced over
it and opened the other. It was Lii
ian's note.
Dear Mr.. Dav;s-A little girl In my room
is crying because she has had no breakfast.
Her name is Agnes Gregory, and her mother
Is a poor widow who lives on the third floor
OF 4 Hampton street. Please send the things
ordered at once. / will come in after school
and pay for them. And, Mr.. Davis, please
give good weight. Truly yours,
LILLIAN SMELL"
MI. Davis had been a friend of the
Smell family for years, and it was not
the first time that Lillian had appealed
to him for help in her charitable work.
So thai was not the reason that SO
look came into his honest
brown eyes.
Agnes Gregory and lives on Hamp.
ION a~txsst." no murmursd. 'sIt surely