Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-08-04

came and vanished, neither the eye OF
/ the clerk or that of his companion fall
I ed 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
! stinctively 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 a 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
I summary command Of the clerk, was
stopped by a backward nod of the head
/ and words: I'll attend to thisl" The
young man then proceeded down the
hall toward the door, and came within
view of the bundle, which proved to be
a 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 clasped
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 amaze
/ ment, 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 never given them a single serious
thought Now, as he stood there in
the auietude of that night, looking
down on that little, silent, storm-beat-
en- figure q realization Of the extremes
of life seemed to burst upon him. He
dropped into a chair, his first impulse
being to sit there until morning, II
necessary, a silent guardian of the
sleeping boy, but, as he realized the
saturated condition of the boys cloth
Ing and his need Of a change, he reach
ed over reluctantly and gently shook
the little shoulder.
At length the eyelids quivered and
finally opened, disclosing a 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 conse-
quences, and inquired if he was hum
cry.
Amusement seemed to hush arsicu-
lation.
The silent answer came in an affirm
ative nod of the little head and
Frightening of the eyes.
A secluded corner of the dining room
was sought. and an order given, with
the confidence Of an old habltue, tor
anything and everything the kitchen
could afford at that late hour OF night,
row we'll into morning.
For some time after the soup vas
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 want?"
asked the young man.
lest wanted TO know If yer wuz
dere!" answered the boy, sheepishly.
lis it all rte, or it jest one of dem
dreams?"
A burst of loud and happy laughter
came from the young man as he gave
assurance that this time it was no
dream, and, reaching over, helped the
first spoonful of soup; then he drop
ped into silent contemplation, as he
viewed a most ferocious and indiscrim-
mate attack upon everything the table
afforded.
Sense Of an obligation never before
suspected began to take possession Of
him and the problem of how to deal
with it kept him silent, as he watched
the food disappear in marvelously
large quantities.
why didn't you so home Tonight"
he asked, when he thought time could
be found for an answer.
"Got ma hum"
Haven't you a father nor a moth
err"
"Fadder. Mudder ded."