The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-01-13

For her mother said she should keep
honest!
DO you want any pencils, sir?"
He turned to the old woman--a kind.
ly-faced old woman, wrinkled, bent
She carried little basket on her arm.
YES" he answered-"I did want a
pencil. What else have you got there p
She looked down in the basket 10
make quick inventory-"Needle
pins, soap, pencils, darning cotton, shoe
strings, hat pins, backing, combs,
matches and tooth brushes"
well, give me a pencil, box of
matches and needle"
"A needle?" she said. smiling at him
-"why, bless your heart, sir, don't
sell single needles-nobody does. You
buy 'em by the paper"
"Ah," he said, retiectively-"I guess
you'd better give me tooth brush
then"
That makes 20 cents altogether &"
she said.
He gave her 90 cents, and was about
to move away after she had thanked
him, when suddenly he bethought him
to ask her how old she was.
"Sixty-four on the third of April
next" she said.
"Sixty-four," he said. thoughtfully,
land no one to take care of you?"
80. yes, indeed, there is,' she an
swered, brightly. my husband. only
do this to keep out of mischief You
see, he's night watchman. Goes on
at four o'clock in the afternoon end
stays on until seven in the morning
! don't know what to do with myself,
so go around the street selling these
things so as to keep from being lonely.
pay the rent every month just from
these little things" she added proudly.
He looked at her, half pityingly half
admiringly. Then he asked; But
what do you do at II o'clock at night ?"
why, you see, John is watchman in
big place on Delaware avenue, and
every night at II o'clock l go down
there with supper for him-for the
mans hungry by that time. And |
stay with him talking until two o'clock
in the morning-for, you see, that's the
only time we have to see each other
and have long talks. He's been there
22 years and | haven't missed a night,
Sundays and week days, from seeing
him-rain or shine. heat or cold"
And how long have you been mar
ried?"
"Since | was IS, sir. That's pretty
close on to 46 years ago." she added.
smiling.
"And for 90 years you have gone
down 10 see him every night at II
o'clock. and have gene away at two in
the morning?" The mans tone was IN
credulous.
Indeed, have she said, proudly.
For there's not another in the world
like him.
He helped her across the street
first, because she was an old lady. and, !
secondly. because travel had congested
at that particular corner. And when !
she bade him CHEEKY goodnight he :
lifted his hat and bowed low to her !
with Difference and reverence that
was her due.
For she had loved the same man for
46 years!
A blind man came progging up the i
street, his cane cautiously feeling the
way. When he had reached the corner ,
lie paused, for the rattle and rumble
and roar was great.
A little, dirtyfaced girl who was cry
ing the evening papers noted the blind
mans hesitancy. and. putting her hand
on his arm. said: "I'll take you over
the street. mister"
When she had gotten him safely
across the man, who had left his Of
fee at five o'clock-it was now eight
dove into his overcoat pocket. He had
IS cents left. He dropped Is cents into
the tin cup the blind man held in one
hand. Then he made his way over to
the little girl who was selling papers.
Here's ten cents for you," he said,
In low tone; I'm friend of the blind
man."
The girl looked up at him shyly. and
twisted her little body uneasily, her
finger in her mouth. 81 don't want ter
ret paid for doin' that" she said.
well. then give me paper-any
,ne."
She gave him one.
Thank. you" he said. And he left
her at the corner.
The man walked up the street rapid
y. Before he had reached the next
:orner fire engine went laundering
and changing past him. He watched
t until it wheeled sharply out of sight
two blocks further up.