The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1898-03-31

GeS Gregory" volunteered a dimple-
faced boy who sat near.
Miss Smell crossed the room and bent
Dyer the child.
agnes. little sunshine lassie, what
is 1t? Can you not tell me about it"
Sobs were Agnes only reply. Miss
Smell kissed her gently. then went back
to her work. When it was finished and
the children all provided with work,
she lifted the sobbing child and ten
DERBY carried her to the teachers desk.
Here somewhat removed from the Gu
riouS little ones, Lillian set about
soothing her pupil.
Agnes was a pretty fair-faced child
Of 6. She had sunny blue eyes and
hair, 4 golden chestnut, curled about
her face and neck. Her clothing was
clean but well Worn. and Lillian motto
ed the gaping hole in the tiny shoe, as
we'll rs the thinnesS Of the faded dress.
Noticed it with a sympathetic thrill Of
the heart that throbbed with some
thing Of the divine spirit of mother
mood toward the children in her care.
Agnes story was soon told. Her
widowed mother had had no breakfast
for her little ones.
Il don't care so much about myself,
Miss Smell" 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 n owed Mrs. Greg
DRY for sewing. also that 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
;E a warm cloak room, feaSting on the
dainty lunch Mrs. Smell had prepared
for her daughters midday meal. The
young teacher had written 4 note and
a list of articles of food. and was at
the door of the DON across the hall.
The teacher, Florence Fox, listened
SympathetiCally 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 go" she cried,
land 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 4 half
cord of wood, tell him the story and
ask him likewise for good weight"
4 faint crimson flush stained Lill-
ian's cheek, but she warmly thanked
her friend and hurried back tc her
work.
Mark Davis was a stout. geIia!-faced
man of IS. He sat in his office. his
mornings Wrk 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, cot
fee. fruit and fish in the air.
Eight hundred dollars more profit
this year than last" the grocer said to
himself. Somehow it 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-
yelope as he tore it open. The first
wcs 4 LIST. including a loaf of bread
potatoes. crackers. dried beef and q
few other articles. He glanced over il
and opened the other. 1t was Lillian'S
note.
Dear Mr.. Davis: A little girl in 10y
room is crying because she has had nc
breakfast. Her name is Agnes Greg
DRY. and her mother is a poor widow
who lives on the third floor Of No.
Hampton street. Please send the
things ordered at once. 1 will come il
after school and pay for them. And
Mr.. Davis. please give good wssght
Truly yours, LILLIAN SMELL"
Mr.. Davis had been a frie5ad .: the
Smell caM.iS ssor years, and Il as -o'