Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-07-21

LITTLE WATER DRESSER

"VV~VVVVVVVvV
water crosses; who'll buy my w
ter cresses!" cried q voice under the
windows.
"Oh mamma" said Violet, can
stop that dear boy and buy some
crosses! You know papa likes them
and he'll be home tonight"
"Tell Janet to stop him."
"Oh, mamma, please let mel"
"Well, run quickly, or he will be
gone"
Running to the door, Violet cried
Little boy, little boy, stop; ! want
crosses for papa"
The little fellow, of not more than
eight years, looked up at the vision
o. white that stood on the threshold
and smiled.
Come right in," said Violet.
Mrs. Fenwick stepped to the door
What do you ask for your crosses,
little MANI she said.
1.-TWO punches for cents; please
buy some. haven't sold one, no.
body wants them" And the tears
filled his eyes. Violet gave her moth
er look, and Mrs. Fenwick said:
II will take all; how many punches
have your"
"Ten."
"You are a little fellow to be out
alone; where do you live?"
In lambs court. ! never came up
so far alone before, but mamma ID
i'll, and the doctor said she must have
wine and milk; and we are poor, for
she can't sew now; she didn't want
me ITO come, but papa told me 10 take
care of her." Here he broke down
and cried, adding between his sobs:
Il must run home now, or she will
be worse, and ! thank you, and-and
will you buy some tomorrow"
Mrs. Fenwck was used to the city
impostors, but this seemed such q
dear little boy. Violet whispered:
Mamma, please let him come in and
have lunch"
Her mother hesitated. what did
you have for breakfast?"
"A piece of bread"
"Come in and have lunch. and
III give you something for your
mother" said Mrs. Fenwick. Where
is your father?" she asked, as she
took him down to the dining room.
HE has gone 10 be with the Lord,
mamma says" he answered.
"What is your name?' she asked.
salmon"
After he had rs'en all thar he
could, Mrs. Fenwick gave him a bas-
ket with rolls, oranges and a pack
age of tea, saying:
Come tomorrow, and we will buy
more"
THANK you, oh, 80 much," said the
little fellow.
Goodbye, little Water crosses"
Violet called after him, as he trudged
down the street.
When Mr.. Fenwick returned home
after weeks absence he was met
at the door by his pet, who almost
forgot little Water-cresses" in her
Joy. At the table he said: "These
are uncommonly fine cresses."
"Oh, papa" began Violet and in
torrent of words she told all. ~
In a small attic room Mrs. Tracy
lay and waited. "Oh! | did wrong to
let Almon 60" she murmured. "Will
he ever come back?" Every moment
seemed an hour, but ait last she heara
his step and he rushed eagerly into
the room.
Look, mamma, look!" he cried,
and he laid the basket and money on
The bed
Mamma, dear, you said the Lord
would care for us, and He hast"
The next morning Violet said:
Papa, don't you think he will Gomez"
Il hope so, darling, but often we
cannot believe all that these street
arabs say"
oh! DaDa. he isn't a street arab:
IL '"'.. z ilutie curry made, DJy.'-
Water crosses, water cresses,"
called a voice under the windows.
There he is" cried Violet. ooh,
papa, ! told you he was no poster
like the Arabs
Here is your basket" the little fell
low said to Violet, after Janet had
brought him in and mamma thanks
and blesses you, and ] hope you'll!
like these crosses, and yesterday she
ate two oranges, and | bought her
some milk"
TEL us all about, your mother"
said Mr.. Fenwck
Mamma is ILL.," he said, taking off
bis cap and putting it under his arm.
"And your father dead?" asked the
lawyer.
Eyes, papa died two years ago; he
was good, but grandpa didn't think
so; he was good, mamma said So"
he added decidedly.
what is your full name?"
"Almon Fenwick Tracy; Fenwick
was my mammals name, and | was
called after her papa
Mr.. Fenwick started up. what is
POUR mothers first name?"
violet
He turned to his wife, saying in
/ low tone: Uncle Almon's Violet
married Tom Tracy!"
Little Water-cresses" had a fine
,rpa L et and than M HE s,rn,;..