New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-06


finger. He read the tender meaning her down
ward glance conveyed.
"And there's no light in heaven; it's always
light as day. It's 80 bright and shining" she
continued in a sort of gentle ecstasy. that the
baby angels eyes water. and the old ones put
on specacles. You're never hungry, SO
there isn't any food; you've clothes-you
couldn't wear them if you had; but there's
bands-and swings-and sack-racing in the
parks. and no fathers go there, OILY mothers
and boys and girls. Nobody ever beats you, nor
makes your mother cry; and when you take
physic God and the angels hold your heads.
Had the wings OF a dove would fly
she broke off grooming. her inspired gaze lifted
to follow London sparrow in its fight.
And there's crowns and harps." she cried,
her young voice shrll and tremulous; and
wings sprout where your are. and you hy
about all day. and when you're tired OF flying
you sit down on your necks."
And then she lay back and smiled celestial
fancies. But won't go back without you"
she added hastily. and all her smiles vanished.
her chin sinking to her breast.
"Hows mother asked the Devil. who
seemed TO have a cold
Nicely, thank you. She's In the tailor trade
to-day"
The tailor trade is she? Then shirts didn't
pay?'
mot so well as trousers. It's the button
holes, you see"
She was profound in her practical wisdom
The Devil rose to 60.
He must get back 10 the office He should
see her soon again But she was going into
hospital she told him. to have operation
on her leg He wished her well then he hoped
nj ~, b,g her on
departing. with humorous twinkle in his eye
not to sheer at his foot when they had made
her whole again.
He left her hurt and troubled poor, sensitive
little soul Then ne forgot the Child for weeks
things were stirring in the city
One evening, going homeward, he was pass
ing near the Green when woman ran toward
him with letter in her hand
THE Choild dead he'd used to talk wild in
the Park. had died al peace that morning.
talkin affable wild the saints
He was genuinely shocked. Then she gave
him the crumpled letter
Her own name was Ryley; she lived on the
floor above. He recognized her az The woman
whose husband a 'Dis1' too.
He put some leading questions about the
mother of the Child She WAS a wildly, in bad
crcums ;ances, but a lady sure for all. NO;
there seemed small prospect Oi daccht pu'N-
in =" she said.
Now the Devils thumb and finger which had
strayed to his was coat pocket. stayed toying
very lovingly with IN, golden coins within.
A moment later ne hurrying down the
street pursued by shrill-toned blessings and
loud callings the saints.
When ne reached home h. opened the Childs
letter 1t began "Dea Devel,' in a round. UNI
certain hand. 1T is cumming off tomorrow.
cThe crooked one | meen) But | am not
prowd dear devel. l wish it was yure foot"
1t was signed. "Yure loving tickle friend you
speak TO on the CREAM
There was a Up. s.:
mind"
There was another:
mothers very sadly Trowsers are wurse
than shurts.'
As he turned the letter over there was note
in the nurses hand.
THE Child-who is fast falng-begs TO
write these words She is sorry to go without
YOU. but will be waiting near the door
A week after the funeral the Devil paid
call /, was a visit Of coincidence. The chds
mother had been i'll
He found the door ajar it creaked on it's
hinges as he entered The sound brought the
vonan by the fire to her feet. She came tow
ari him.
Il think sir she said, hurriedly and smooth
ing her roughened hair. you must be the gem
tlenlan who's been $" kind to me and
"Maggier' cried ;he man. and took step
toward her: am then they stood still and stared
in each others eyes.
nd