The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-04-12

(G-1
!
be nearly starved poor child!' said tEe
mother as she opened the oven door and
drew out an earthen bowl which con-
tanned her savOry portion.
First let me show you what bought.
"NO; you must first have this bowl OF
soup; then you may show us. .
Moving chair near the stove, Grisclie
took her seat, rested her cold feet on its
apron and smacked her lips as she slipped
the appetizing fluid. When she had fin
ished, she placed the bowl Oh the table,
saying as she did so: - move that we give
Mrs. Sims our thanks in a body. She a
trump, and that settles it Now for the
basket!'
Around the table, with eager, expectant
eyes, gathered the littlo family, while Gri-
selle brought forth one by ono the differ
ent articles from the basket and placed
them upon it,
There now remained but one package.
AS she stopped down to bring it out she
exclaimed, All shut your eyes,
Then there was rustic of paper, q stir
ring through the room, tho rafting Of
dishes, when down on the table something
was set.
Now you may look. "
And what did they see? A large coffee
cake.
"This is for our supper.
Then she told them about the dainty
little miss to whom they were indebted.
God bless herr murmured the mother
as she wiped away a tear that was trickling
down her cheek.
IN luxurious mansion on one Ct the
fashionable avenues q little miss sat in her
room alone.
Her mother upon entering called out in
Il casual way. And what is my little pet
thinking OFF,
She really had not observed that her lit
tie pet was sitting with her hands crossed
on her lap, with her eyes resting ,:pon the
glowing bed Of Goals that lay in the open
grato in a meGitatiye mood
Come and sit near ne, and | will tell
you, replied the child. q was just think
ing how unhappy | should be if | had a
sick mamma and little sisters pleading Tor
bread. "
But you haven {, my pet, - laughed the
mother.
NO. but the little flower girl has. .
Come, my dear. We will go down to
the parl0r and have somo music You
must not let such thoughts disturb your
mind. These may have been no truth
whatever III what she said There ;Ie SO
many inpostors, we must not be affected
by the pltiful tales we hear. =
'Oh, but, mamma, don't let uG think
that she is one! The Saviour said when
he was upon earth that we should have
the poor with Us always. Let US believe
that size is one of the deserving poor that
needs our bel p and let Us help her. ] have
just a lovely idea, = size exclaimed. her face
beaming with animation RS size sprang
from her chair and seated herself upon her
mothers lap. LET me make her an Eas-
ter PRESENT."
This only child was not overly INDUCED
but Der reasonable requests W ere usually
if not always granted.
This thought the mother, was u reason
able request and the motive that prompted
il a magnaninous and noble one.
You dear, sympathetic child" she ex-
claimed as she cnfolded her in her arms
II think you can but come. Wo bad
better first go 10 court and lay the case
before the judge and abide by his deci
sion!
Arm in arm they tripped down the
stairs and through the hall until they
reached the courtroom. Court had evi-
IDENTIFY adjourned, but there the Judge sat
rerusing the evening paper.
Upon being aware OF tho presence of
others he laid tho paper across his knee
and looked over his glasses with q rather
stern countenance, as judge is rather apt
to have
Before he was given q chance to speak
his petitioner thus addressed him:
Judge, have case 20 lay before your
honor. My little daughters sympathies
were very much enlisted this afternoon
while out walking. We were confronted
by poorly clad, delicate looking waf, Il
girl perhaps just iii her teens, who thrust,
us we passed her, Il bunch of yiolets in ny
face and urged my buying. In a trem-
bling voice she told a pitiful tale of a sick
mother and OF little sisters crying for bread
which they could not have unless she sold
her viOlets. My little daughter has seem
ed very much cOncerncd-yea unhappy
about her and her family and wishes to
make her an Easter present. Before act
ing l deemed it wisest to consult your
honor. I"
"A very laudable wish" replied the
judge. Grant it most assuredly, and
drawing out roll OF bills from his pocket
this is my contribution, which l shall
gladly donate to the good cause . selecting
large bill, which he handed to the little
miss.
Now all formality of the courtroom was
lost in the JOY and freedom of the home
circle.
Easter dawned bright and calm. Tie
chimes of Trinity resountied sweetly upon
the air. and from the belfry towers far and
near peeled forth JOY and gladness that
earth was not doomed to darkness ard de-
cay but that through the risen Lord there
should be light and life.
The streets were thrOnged with hand
SOm,ly attirod men and woman SOna re-