The Advocate and news., 1898-10-12

reel sorry, WnyI ne gave neT INC AtIlo
red apple.
Gretchen drew up her mouth from
where II had tumbled down at the cor
ners and walked along in placid frame
of mind until she spied, just ahead Of
her at the corner, Tim, the bootblack.
Tim never failed to jerk the two long
braids Of ilaxen hair that hung down
to Gretchen's short waist, and inquire
the price of sauerkraut per year.
Now Gretchen had decidedly practical
ideas, and was Of mercantile turn of
mind. She held the apple firmly but
temptingly In her hand and advanced
upon Tim boldly IF you pull my hair
not, and say 'sauerkraut' no more,
gif you dis"
Under ordinary circumstances Tim
might have snatched the apple. But
policeman was at the time crossing the
street, and besides, the little red apple
Just fitted into his needs. His chum, a
newsbOy, had been hurt the day before
by falling brick at fire, and Tim was
intending to pay him call at the hos
pital and wanted to take him some little
remembrance, for Tim really had kind
heart under his rough exterior, and loved
his newsboy chum devotedly. But luck
had gone against him all day The
weather was fine, the streets dry, and
nobody wanted Shine"
So the bargain was struck, and be 1t
said to the credit Of Tins code of honor,
faithfully kept The little red apple was
again smuggled away In pocket with
all sorts OF strange companions; and 1t
never got out until it lay on the spot
less stand cloth at the head of BObbie's
bed. Now, BObbie wasn't very sick. His
arm was spralned but otherwise he was
just as we'll as ever, and took very
lively interest in all Of his surroundings.
The little boy in the next cot was not so
fortunate, however. He had been sick
O long long time, and wasn't any better,
he told Bobbie, wistfully. And now they
had taken him into the next ward. BY
and by he asked the nurse IL she would
take the little red apple to Johnnie and
tell him Bobbie sent it.
When the doctor came to see Johnnie
that afternoon, the little red apple lay
within reach Of his hand on the white
coverlid. The doctor was always kind
and gentle; but everyone noticed that
when he spoke to johnnie his voice was
always softer and sometimes there were
tears In his eyes. And Johnnie loved the
doctor better than any one else in the
world, for he had no friends outside the
hospital
Doctor" said Johnnie, II could hardly
wait till you came to-day, for I've got
such o pretty red apple for you"
When the doctor saw how pleased
Johnnie looked he knew il would make
him very happy indeed il he accepted the
gift So he thanked his little patient in
his own kind way; and again the little
red apple was in pocket-a nice, warm,
furry one in the doctors Overcoat
Glover" said the doctor that even
ing, to his little girl, there's o lovely
little apple in my overcoat pocket out
In the hall. Little Johnnie at the hos
pital gave 1t to me, but think 1t would
suit your small mouth better than mine.
why, papa" said Glover, coming
back with her eyes very wide open and
the little red apple in her chubby fist,
this is one of grandma's apples; and
l took it to school with me this morn
ing and gave it to Margaret. 1t truly Isl"
she insisted as both her father and
mother smiled incredulously.
Don't you remember the apples dim
pie, mamma? And here is where l put
my two front teeth through when Mar
garet pouted. See?"
Now, Clovers two front teeth were
very crooked indeed, and made very
funny little print. So, when mamma
looked at the two little tooth prints she
knew so well, she said she guessed that