Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-10-27

II
Eyes, I called YOU" She smiled
brightly to the ragged and dirty boy
as he waited in wonder. ST want to
ask if you have time to work for half
an hour in my flower garden. can
give ten cents"
| "Yes'm."
She was not at all discouraged by the
dull, Indifferent answer. She hoped to
brighten him by and by. "Come in,
then. What is your name?"
i 'Jim."
You can call me Miss Grace"
She led him to the kitchen table, and
pointed to the bright tin basin. 81
think you must wash off some of that
dirt. Wouldn't like my pretty flowers
to know that dirt ever gets where it
Goesut belong"
The boy stared. and then silently
obeyed.
| Take this basket-isn't it a pretty
one?-and these scissors. Now cut
off all the dead blossoms and put them
window if you want anything"
As she sewed and watched, she
planned. This child was lonesome.
| The careful mothers were determined
to ostracize him She could see that
| he was not a model playmate for ten
| derly-reared children. Well, she also
was lonesome. And it appeared that
she also was to be ostracized, and for
but slightly different reasons. She
could not boldly appeal to others for
| friendship. Then why could not these
| two. together with her Master, help
and cheer other lonely ones? At the
| end of the half hour she raped on the
| window
Jim looked around, put the basket
on the ground. and ran to the window.
81 amt half through yet. There are
| lot more deaders. Can't 1 go on ?" he
| asked, eagerly.
Miss Grace hesitated.
You needn't pay me any more. If
you'll only let me, I'll do it for moth
ing!"
go on, then, if you want to. I'll be
very much obliged to you"
Jim no longer annoyed the neigh
bors by boldly opening their front
doors and frankly demanding COM
partnership. But at all hours of the day
he freely entered the dressmaker's
home. He amazed her by the way he
speedily and affectionately clung to
her. To the lonely young woman this
rough, uncared-for child was some
thing to which she could attach her
love and care. She was glad to find
that the lazy and careless mother had
no objection to the intimacy estab-
lished.
Jim was an invaluable assistant in
the garden and in the house, too. They
spent many pleasant and profitable
hours together. Sometimes she in
vited him to share her simple meals.
At such times he delighted in washing
the few dishes while she told him won
derful stories. She soon found that he
was really bright, and only needed
cleaning and polishing to make most
charming and amusing companion.
After one very hot and sleepless
night she dressed early and went into
the garden. 'Jim!" she exclaimed
What does this mean?"
He was leaning over a flower. Her
voice startled him so that he slipped
and sat down hard on the brick walk. |
Two other boys shrank back guiltily
behind tall rosebush. Jim looked up
helplessly.
Miss Grace waited and tried not to
look stern.
''Well-I told 'em about your garden, |
and they amt ever been close to flow |
ers, and they just wanted TO come
look-so-I brought 'em," As he con-
fessed he industriously pulled up grass
from between the bricks. 1t was work |
he ordinarily detested.
''Why didn't you ask me first?"
didn't think you'd let them fellows
on your place"
Then, Jim. you shouldn't have.
Why did you bring them so early?"
''They amt fellows for you to see.
They swear. Thought you'd be
asleep"
Miss Grace gasped. Was it really
consideration for her, or precaution-
airy arrangement?
Jim, what is that in that boys
pocket?" She pointed an accusing fin
ger It some flowers sticking out.
One of the boys, not hearing violent
words, as he expected, had ventured
owner of the garden.
Jim gre" req. DuI ne looked SQuarely
at the dressmaker. They amt any
thing but half dead ones like them you
told me to cut off this morning" he
hurriedly explained. Hes got a
grandma that amt been out of bed.
for Is years, she says. He was taking
'em to her. We didn't take one you'd
a let stay on"
Miss Grace could not resist the plead
ing in his eyes. Her tone softened.
but Jimmie. if you had told me about
her I would have given your friend
fresh bunch of flowers. Why didn't
you?"
"Ain't never seen you give none to
nobody except me- he blurted out
She sat down on the doorstep. The
chiid's grammar passed UNDECIDED. But
the accusation! She had been so abb {
sorbed in Jim that she forgot she had
they should together help
others. She knew that her lack of {
friends who would care for her flowers {
vas no excuse. For she realized that /
her Master had given to her as friends
The poor in spirit and resources when /
BE said: The poor We have always l
with YOU" {
Jim, tell your friends to come here" {
He hesitated, cycling her doubtfully. l
They amt my friends, 1 guess. G
They're just fellows 1 know" he pro- /