The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1898-03-18

NYA WMA "Who Is cry
I AsD WWA ing" she asked
M Aj in a sweet, firm
st is little Ag-
nes Gregory" volunteered a dimple-
faced boy who sat near.
Miss Smell crossed the room and bent
over the child.
agnes, little sunshine lassie, what
Is it? Can you not tell ME about it?'
Sobs were Agnes only reply. Miss
Smell kissed her gently, then went back
to her work. When 1t was finished and
the children all provided with work,
she lifted the sobbing child and ten
derly carried her to the teachers desk.
Here somewhat removed from the Gu
rlous little ones, Lillian set about
soothing her pupil.
Agnes was a pretty fair-taced child
of 6. She had sunny blue eyes and
hair, a golden chestnut, curled about
her face and neck. Her clothing was
clean but well worn, and Lillian .notic-
ed the gaping hole in the tiny shoe, as
well as the thinness of the faded dress.
Noticed 1t with sympathetic thrill of
the heart that throbbed with some
thing of tie divine spirit Of mother
Eood toward the children in her care.
Agnes story was soon told. Her
widowed mother had had no breakfast
for her little ones.
81 don't care so much about myself,
Miss SneIl," the child went on, artless-
ly, "'cause I'm mammals brave girl,
but when little brother Royce wakes
up he will be so hungry and he is
only 3 years old. He does not know he
mustn't cry"
A little more questioning and Lillian
learned that some one owed Mrs. Greg
ory for sewing, also tnat she hoped to
have dinner ready when Agnes came
home.
Lillian looked out into the driving
storm Of a January afternoon. 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 warm cloak room, feasting on the
dainty lunch Mrs. Smell had prepared
for her daughters midday meal. The
young teacher had written note and
a list of articles of food, and was at
the door of the room across the hall.
The teacher. Florence Fox, listened
sympathetlcally to Lillian's story and
to the suggestion that her own 12-year-
old brother be called from the sixth
grade to deliver the note.
"Of course Fred can 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 half
cord Of wood, tell him the story and
ask him likewise for good weight"
A faint crimson flush stained Lill-
ian's cheek, but she warmly thanked
her friend and hurried back to her
work.
Mark Davis was stout, genial-faced
man Of IS. He sat In his office, his
mornings work at his books just finish
ed. Through the open door he could
see the brisk clerks stepping about in
the grocery store from which the office
opened. There was odor of spices, cof-
fee, fruit and fish in the air.
Eight hundred dollars more profit
this year than last" the grocer said to
himself. "Somehow 1t doesn't do a
man any good to pile up money when
he has no one to spend it 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 a list, including loaf of bread,
potatoes, crackers. dried beef and a
and opened the other. 1t was Lillian's
note.
"Dear Mr.. Davis: A little girl in my
room is crying because she has had no
breakfast. Her name Is Agnes Greg
ory, and her mother is poor widow,
who lives on the third floor of No.
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"
Mr.. Davis had been a friend of the
Smell family for. years. and 1t was not
the first time that Lillian had appeal
ed to him for help in her charitable
work. So that was not the reason that
so strange look came into his honest
brown eyes.
agnes Gregory, and lives on Hamp-
ton street." he murmured. "It surely
must be Margaret's child. Good God!
Margaret and her child wanting
breadW
A half hour later Mark Davis was
making his way up the stairs to the
floor upon which Mrs. Gregory's rooms
were situated His knock at the first
door was answered by red-faced
woman.
Mis- Gregory, is it you air wantin"
she asked sharply. 'An' it's no bad
news you air after bringin' her,
hope"
81 wanted to deliver some groceries
a friend has sent her."
The clouded face cleared as If by
magic Heavens blissin' be on yer
head. then! Mis- Gregory. she's gone
out, but I've her key here, and will un-
lock the door. That's her by, an a
swate child he is.
Mark eagerly looked at the pink and
white face of the boy. He held out a
great. golden orange, and little Royce
enrapp for If hts childish lauQh echo