The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-04-06

sweet little face. came flying toward him.
NerXcs almost held his breath as the lit
tie figure came up and held out to him a
flower no fairer than herself. How many
years was il since lie had been so near to
such a dainty, well cared for bit of hui
manity?
THANK you, little one," was all he
said, but his voice was very gentle, and
the child, locking up into his eyes, read,
with the instinct which, alas, we all out
grow so soon, the sweetness and patience
of soul that knew not much joy.
"Didn't l tell you not to talk to strange
menT and an irate mamma swooped
down on the little woman and gave her
vigorous shake. care you never going to
mind me, miss?" The blue eyes filled
with tears, but she bravely nodded fare
we'll and tripped away. "Oh," sighed
Xerxes with a pang in his heart, ''the
Christ of whom you have just been learn
ing would never have said that. He who
called the little ones unto him, who said,
You must become like them,' would
never have wounded q childish heart
when it had done no wrong" and the fra
grant flower from the tiny hand and the
silver coin from the withcred one were
long cherished, recalling tie lone touch
of nature" that makes US all akin.
A Thcspian of the old school crossed
the street and sauntered down the ave-
nue.. His well worn Prince Albert, with
shiny seams, was buttoned tightly up to
his chin. His silk hat was of Anticipated
pattern and showed the traces of many
brushings. He wore no cuffs, hut swung
l.. Al L.
thrust between the top buttons of his
coat. About his eyes were traces Of
make up, and his whole bearing bespoke
the actor long in the profession, but I'M
successful. Life is but play, after
ALL" unused Xerxes, "but how we all
scramble for the leading parts, forgetting
that the low comedy and eccentric char
acters must be played by some one. How
we fail to learn our lines and neglect to
take up our cues and hinder better actors
from playing their parts successfully,
and when the curtain falls on the last act
how bitter comes the realization that our
part in the drama of life has marred
what might have been perfect perform
ance, that the play would have been bet
ter had we never been cast. Well, come
now, Nerxes, don't rail at Fate. This
isn't your cue to make scene"
"Mornin Hurald, JurnI an Tribune"
sounded n CHEEKY voice, and little Tad, a
newsboy. his ragged cap on the back of
his head and n few unsold papers under
his arm, stepped jauntily around the cor
ner. His clothes were poor and his
hands were grimy, but his face was
blithe and his laugh the essence of happy
good nature.
IVY, hello. Xerxie, old boy! Wot you
doin here? Watchin the swell peoples go
home from church? Say, wot d'you tink?
| met a rich bloke down de street wot
gimme two tickets to a charity dinner
down on de sout' side! Wot d'you tink of
him? Wasn't he all right? Can you beat
i'm? Come on, and We won't do ting to
de spread, oh, no! Just de-molish it.
that's ALL If we eat there today dey'il
have to feed de rest of the push tomor.
row. Have a cigarette? Nit? Say, wot's
de matter wild you today, Xerxie? Amt
you square wild de worldY'
eyes, Tad" replied Xerxes quietly,
putting his arm about the boys shoulders
as they strolled off together toward "de
sout' side" and the promised dinner. 81
guess I'm square enough with the world,
for l wouldn't change places with any
man in it today. Yes, III take dinner
with you, Tad, but next time it will be
your turn, because you see I'm getting
tired of being utterly worthless, and to-
morrow-well, tomorrow I'm going to
look for work.!
Tad looked up. his eyes round with as
constituent. Gee" he said.-Omaha
Bee.