Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-01-12

you'd better give me q tooth bruzh
then"
THAT makes 20 cents altogether"
she said
He gave her 20 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,
"and no one to take care of you?"
20, yes, indeed, there is" she an
swered, brightly. my husband. IonIy
do this TO keep out of mischief. You
see, he's a night Waterman Goes on
at four o'clock in the afternoon and
stays on until seven in the morning.
/ don't know what TO do with myself,
so l 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, h2li
admiringIy. Then he asked: But
what do you do at II o'clock al night?"
why. you see, John is Waterman in
big place on Delaware avenue, and
every night at IL o'clock l go down
there with a supper for him-for the
mans hungry by that time. And I
stay with him talking until two o'clock
in the morning you see, that's the
only time we have TO see each other
and have long talks He's been there
% years and l 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 40 years ago" she added,
smiling.
And for % years you have gone
down 10 see him every night at II
o'clock. and have gone away AT two in
the morning." The mans tone was in
credulous.
Indeed. I 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 a CHEEKY goodnight he
lifted his hat and bowed low to her
with a Difference and reverence that
was her due.
For she had loved the same man for
&C years!
A blind man came progging up the
street, his cane cautiously feeling the
way. When he had reached the corner
he paused, for the rattle and rumble
and roar was great.
A little, dirty-faced girl who was cry
ing the evening papers noted the blind
mans hesitancy, and. putting her hand
on his arm. said: III 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 j. 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.
il 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. Il don't want ter
get paid for dom that" she said.
We'll, then give me a paper-any
one"
She gave him one.
Thank YOU" he said. And he lief,
her at the corner.
The man walked up the street rapid
". Before he had reached the next
corner a fire engine went laundering
and changing past him. He watched
it until it wheeled sharply out of sight
two blocks further up.
Il wonder" he said to himself, 81
wonder if l ought to have given those
two dollars for the fire-escape?'
Then the bent old lady who had the
little basket and who had loved the
same man for 46 years went past him
and nodded.
I'm glad / didn't he said 10 him.
selt.-Chicago Tribune.
LEGEND OF n0N THAN