The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-11-30

"a
regularly and gradually came nearer. At
first he thought it was the cry of some
bird or beast, but at last it became dis
tinct and unmistakable.
Daddy! Daddyw And each time the
call was followed by pitiful wall.
To hear a human voice in the midst
of this desoation was surprising. but
that the voice should be that of child
was incredible. At last half clad little
girl ran out from among the bushes that
skirted the railway track and once more
cried piteously:
Daddy! Daddy!'
1t was all right to hate all mankind,
And he was so miserable that he could
not help feeling sympathy.
What is the matter?" he asked, rising
to his feet. The little girl stopped cry
ing from sheer terror and backed away
toward the bushes.
''Well. what is the matterT' he asked.
81 want my daddy" she whimpered
and started to cry again.
"Where is your daddy" he asked in
the most coaxing voice he could assume.
Hes losted. Elsie and l want him.
And we's afwaid of twamps."
Harry felt his face flaming with a
blush of shame. For the first time he
realized how low he had sunk. He was
nothing more than tramp. 1t was al
most n minute before he could speak,
and when he did his voice broke with a
sob.
Cant I help-help you to find your
daddyr
With the quick tuition of childhood the
little girl saw that she had nothing to
fear, and she came toward him.
Daddy has gone away, and Elsie and
are hungry" she said.
"But where is your mother"
"She's sleeping away over dere under
the big tree" and the little girl pointed
toward a scrub tree that looked big ON a
landscape of bushes.
"Sleeping"
"Yes; and daddy says If we are good
we'll see her some day."
He understood instantly, and then he
asked:
But where is Elsie?
'She is in the house, and she is crying
too"
"Will you take me to Elsie?'
The little girl looked at him doubtful
ly; then she took the hand he stretched
IOWdrQ ueT. one leu I'LL " u PAIN
through the bushes, and as they walked
along she told him that after giving them
breakfast her daddy had gone away to
get them THANKSGIVING" and had not
come back. Presently they reached
little clearing in which stood a rough
board house. The spot was evidently
an oasis in the desert that had been clear
ed for a farm. In one of the fields there
yauara1 nd n nOnnlo of horses
that whinnied as they saw him. 1t sound
ed like q welcome. Then they began to
hear Elsie crying. The little girl let go
his hand and ran ahead. When he reach
ed the door, he heard her telling Elsie
that "a real nice tramp was coming to
take care of them and get them some
thing to eat" Again his face famed
with bushes, but he entered and began
to search for food. In little box cup
board he found pan of milk and some
bread, and he Immediately took down the
dishes and prepared them something to
eat. While they ate he made friends
with them, and his own hunger returned
to him. He drank some of the milk and
ate some of the bread, and that only
made him more hungry. At last the older
girl, who had told him that her name
was Aggie, showed him q couple Of
prairie chickens that had been dressed as
IL for cooking and told him that their
daddy was going to cook them for their
thanksgiving" and make doughboys,
but that he had gone away to get them
more Thanksgiving" But the memory
of their daddy started them both crying
again, and Harry FASTENED to comfort
them. He told them that he could cook
the chickens and make doughboys and
that then their daddy would come back
to them again. So he lit the fire in the
stove and put the chickens in q pot to
cook. They showed him where the spring
was, and he brought in pail of water
and after finding the -four and soda be-
gan to make the doughboys which they
evidently thought the greatest luxury in
the world. His experience us holiday
camper stood him in good stead. While
he worked the children talked to him.
"You are a nice twamp, amt your
Aggie volunteered as she became more
friendly.
eyes, yes. But don't talk about it.
What kind of a man is your daddy"
Hes just the best man." said Aggie
decisively. "He made US that windmill
ON top Of the house."
But at the mention of her daddy Elsie
began to cry again, ana Harry nau MS
own private opinion of man who could
leave two babies of and & years of age
alone in q shack on the desert.
1t was after nightfall before the chick
ems were cooked and the doughboys were
perfect. Harry set the table and washed
the two tear stained faces, and they all
sat down to their Thanksgiving dinner.
But when he started to serve Aggie ex-
claimed:
"Else hasn't said grace yeti"
They all bowed their heads. and the
childish little voice babbled a prayer for
blessing on the mercies set before them
From that moment Harry felt no dis,
quietude about the home coming Of the
sather.