Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-31
ONLY A QUARTER.
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;YN LEASE. sir, will you buy my
H. chestnutsT'
"Chestnuts! Mol" returned
Ralph Moore. looking carelessly down
on the upturned face, whose large
brown eyes, Swallowed by tangled curls
OF haxen hair, were appealing so pitt
fully. to his own. What do l want Of
chestnuts?''
But, please. sir. do buy 'em," plead
Cd the little one, reassured by the rough
kindness Of his tone. Nobody seems
TO care for them, and
:! She fairly burst into tears, and Moore
who had been on the point Of brushing
carelessly past her, stopped instinc-
lively.
s Are You so very much in want of
the money!"
J Indeed, sir, we are sobbed the
child; mother sent me out and"
Nay, little one, don't cry" said
Ralph. smoothing her tangled hair. 81
don't want your chestnuts, but here's
quarter for You, II 1t will do you any
good"
He did not stay to hear the delighted
thanks the child poured out through
rainbow Of smiles and tears, but strobe
on his way muttering between his
teeth: "That cuts of my supply Of cl-
ears for the next twenty-four hours.
] don't care, though, for the brown
eyed object really did cry as II she
hadn't friend In the world. Hang 1t!
Wish was rich enough to help every
poor creature out of the slough Of de-
spond."
While Ralph Moore was INDUCING
n these very natural reflections, the
dark-robed little damsel whom he had
comforted, was dashing down streets
With rapid footsteps, utterly regard
less OF the basket of unsold nuts that
still dangled upon her arm. Down an
obscure alley she darted, and up mar
row wooden staircase to room where
2 pale, neat-looking woman was sew
Ing as busily as IL the breath Of life
depended upon every stitch, and two
little ones were playing in the sun
shine that supplied the place of the alb
eent IRE. Mary! back already? Sure
~ you have not sold your chestnuts SO
hoongv
"Oh;. mother, see!" calculated the
breathless child. "a gentleman gave
me quarter! Only think, mother, a
whole quarter!'
\ II Ralph Moore could only have seen
the rapture which his small silver gift
bad brought into that poverty stricken
home he would have grudged still less
mis- privation of cigars.
Il
4 Years came and went The little
chestnut girl passed entirely out Of
Ralph Moore's memory. but Mary Lee
never forgot the stranger who had Civ
IN her the silver quarter.
The crimson window curtains were
closely drawn to shut out the storm
and blast Of the bleak December night.
"A fire was glowing cheerily in the
crate, and the dinner table was In
glitter with cut glass, rare china and
polished silver. Everything was wait.
ang for the presence Of Mr.. Audley.
what can 1t be that detains pa?
said Mrs. Audley, fair, handsome
matron Of about 30, as she glanced at
her tiny watch.
There's a man with him in the
study, come on business" said Rob-
ert Audley, pretty boy of IL years,
who was reading by the fire.
lsTpl1 n III To-.
ley, stepping to the door. But as she
opened 1t the gas ligls fell on the face
OF . humble-looking man in thread.
bare garments, who was leaving the
house, while her husband stood in the
doorway Of his study, apparently re-
lieved to be rid of his visitor.
Charles" said Mrs. Audley, "who is
that man and what does he want?"
"His name is Moore, l believe, love,
and he came to see II 1 would give him
the vacant position in the bank"
And will your she eagerly asked.
Don't know. Mary. 1 must think
about IT."
Charles, give him the situation"
why, my dear?"
Because ask 1t Of you as favor,
and you have said hundred times
you would never deny me anything"
"And will keep my promise, Mary"
said her lover husband with an afrec-
tionate kiss. II will write the fellow
a note this very evening"
An hour later when the children were
tucked snugly in bed, Mrs. Audley told
her husband why she was interested In
the fate of a man whose face she had
not forgotten in twenty years. "That's
right, my little wife," said her husband
when the simple tale was finished,
tnever forget one who has been kind
to you in the days when you needed
Kindness most"
Ralph Moore was sitting that self
same night in his poor lodgings, be-
side his wife's sick bed, when a liv-
cried servant brought note from the
rich and prosperous banker, Charles
Audley.
Goodness. Berthar' he exclaimed
GREAT vIOLINIsTs