Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1900-01-25

Ill
F "Chestnuts! Mop returned
Ralph Moore, looking carelessly down
on the upturned face, whose large
brown eyes, Swallowed by tangled curls
of fiaxen hair, were appealing so pitt
fully to his own. What do l want of
chestnuts?"
But. please, sir, do buy 'em," plead
ed the little one, treasured 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.
"Are you so very much in want of
the money!"
Indeed, sir, we are" sobbed the
child; mother sent me out and"
NAY, little one, don't cry" said
Ralph, smoothing her tangled hair. IL
= don't want your chestnuts, but here's
quarter for you, If 1t will do you any
good" kt
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 off my supply of ci-
gars for the next twenty-four hours.
don't care, though. for the brown
eyed object really did cry as IL she
hadn't friend in the world. Hang it!
wish l was rich enough to help every
poor creature out of the slough Of de-
spond."
While Ralph Moore was indulging
. in these very natural reflections, the
darkrobed 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 a room where
pale, neat-looking woman was sew
ing as busily as if 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
sent fire. MARY! back already? Sure
ly you have not sold your chestnuts so
soonv'
"Oh, mother, see" calculated the
breathless child. "A gentleman gave
me quarter! Only think, mother,
whole quarter
If Ralph Moore could only have seen
the rapture which his small silver gift
had brought into that poverty stricken
home he would have grudged still less
his privation of cigars.
Years came and went. The little
oh nj .riY.
Ralph Moore's memory, but Mary Lee
never forgot the stranger who had Civ
en- 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 a
glitter with cut glass, rare china and
polished silver. Everything was wait.
ing for the presence of Mr.. Audley.
what can it be that detains pap
said Mrs. Audley. fair. handsome
matron of about 80, 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.
'I'll call him again." said Mrs. Aud
ley, stepping to the door. But as she
opened it the gas light fell on the face
of q Misunderstanding 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, believe, love,
and he came TO see If would give him
the vacant position In the bank"
"And will youYii she eagerly asked.
Don't know. Mary. l must think
about it."
Charles, give him the situation"
"Why, my DEAR"
Because / ask 1t Of you as a favor,
and you have said a hundred times
you would never deny me anything"
"And will keep my promise, Mary"
said her lover husband with an affec-
tionate kiss. ~ will write the fellow
a note this very evening"
An hour later when the children were
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