The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1900-12-13
NOT annexed. OR A DISH

Elsie lived They were not the laDd- !
some, polished stairs of modern build |
ings- Nor were you whisked aIOft in
a silent elevator, that creature of I'M
seen power, which so often calls up
our sympathy for the dazed China
men in the streets of San Francisco,
who can only murmur as they watch
the cable cars skim over the lofty
hills: mo pullee, no pushee- Him
go allie Same-'' These were rickety,
worn out stairs, covered with dust
and haunted by squeaking mice; and
day by day Elsie and her grandmother
had to climb the whole ssseyen paIr-''
The Anticipated building had been Il
fine one in its day, but It's glories
were long departed, and now the
lower part was occupied by stores Of
an Indifferent class, and the other
stories by a miscellaneous assortment
of cheap dressmakers and cheaper
dentists, doctors, and music teachers
The seventh story was where our
little Elsie had lived her whole sweet
life The only bright, young creature
in the house, she glidcd up and down
the stairs talking to the mice, the
dirt, and to the dodgers as they came
and went. Singing always when
alone, she seemed to gather the sun
shine around her. which, as it fingered
among the rafters, lit up the dusty
cObwebS until they gliStened like the
gold of her lovely hair
The grandmother, a seamstress, was
vented her from doing work finely
and delicately enough to bring good
prices. Her life had been spent in
poverty and the friction of passing
years had left many a scar on face
and character, and vet a natural re
finemenU had kept her from making
acquaintances among course people
Elsie, however, had one faithful
companiOn-''Ji " He was Il mes
senger in q gigantic bank. His salary
was Ear too small for young man of
his TASTES, and, in consequence he was
in chronic state of broke" which
impecuniOuS condition was consider
ably aggravated by the willy janitor
of the bank, who was in the habit of
advancing the employees small sums
of money for the slight con-
sideration of two for one on pay
day. On those frequent occasions
when his money was all gone, Jim re-
% turned home to his room in the attic.
Elsie always watched for him, and,
as he would come slowly up the stairs,
Lis great head hanging, tired Of HIM
self, tired of his gay companions,
tired Of the useless, waStefuI life he
was leading. at the head of the stairs
Il baby sunshine would be waiting for
him, and little outstretched arms
would wind around his neck.
I'm so glad you've como, Jim. dar-
ling
And the little golden head would
nestle ,-lOseT to the OVergrown Shout
tlers, and closer around his neck would
cling the little dimpled arms.
With all his wild ways the boy loved
this wee waif, who had no claim upon
him or any one else in the wide world,
except the grandmother stitching
wearilN away in the other ROOM His
love, however, was not strong enough
TO make him change these wild ways.
And yet there must have been a good
and loving soul somewhere within
him. or else the little one would not
have lavishcd upon him the love of
all her baby heart.
Christmas was coming soon, and
Elsie, like all the rest of the child
world, was filed with bright hopes
Of its coming pleasures Some kind
lady who found her among the rub
bish of the old building had taken
her to sunday school There she had
seen the beautiful church, heard the
beautiful HYMNS, and been told of the
Christ love for little children. How
lie bad once been little child Him
self. knew all their hearts and ways,
and when they prayed to Him He
would listen and give them what
they asked for Elsie,s eyes would
open wide when She heard of this
wonde, full Prince-s.greater and
how He died for US, watched over
and cared for even the little sparrows
that nestled among the caves of the
city's tall houses
tOfanufOSe- does YOU love GOd:'
''H-nl," muttered the old woman.
ssGrandma, God loves YOU Why
Cont YOU ask him for some of his
bootiful thingS?''
s.Never mind, child; don't bother
your head with such thoughts
And the lines about her withered
face hardened and she stitched on in
silence. She was always kind to the
child, and gentle, but she seldom
talked. and lately, as the days grew
shorter and darker, she became more
silent than ever Her eyes were too
weak to see by candlelight. and as
the winter SHOWS fell the store OF
money became very low. The SYM
pathetic child well knew that grand
mother was sad. and that many