The Somerset reporter., 1900-04-05

why don't you go where you belong,
my good MANI"
Because" TRANQUILITY I'm trying to
be better man and knew | could prof,
by the example OF good. charitable
kind hearted Christian like you!"
gentle voice made him turn, and a
sweet faced old woman with silver hair
pressed coin into his hand as she said :
You are in need, my poor fellow. Will
you take this with the hope that you may
TO betterY'
Heaven bless you, lady" he said, as
he stood before her and barred his head
Heaven bless you always for a kindly
word to a poor ne're1do- well and for re-
calling the face of his dear mother"
There were a misty look in his eye and
thrill of happiness in his heart long
after she had gone.
BLESS her." he said. "If there were
more like her. the new woman would
never have been born"
Hello, there! Is you tired ~ And radi
ant little vision with the bluest of eyes
and the sunniest tangle of flying curs,
a world of mischief in the rogush laugh
and wealth of love for everybody in the
sweet little face, came flying toward him
Xerxes almost held his breath as the lit
tie figure came up and held out to him
flower no fairer than herself. How many
years was it since he had been so near to
such 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, looking up into his eyes, read
with the instinct which, alas, we all out
grow so soon. the sweetness and patience
of a soul that knew not much joy
Didn't tell you not to talk to strange
menY' and an irate mamma swooped
down on the little woman and gave her a
vigorous shake Are you never going to
mind me. miss?" The blue eyes filled
with tears, but she bravely nodded fare
well and tripped away. oh" sighed
NerXes with u 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 a childish heart
when it had done no wrong" and the fra
grant flower from the tiny hand and the
silver coin from the withered one were
long cherished, recalling the "one touch
of nature that makes us all akin.
A Thespian 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 antiquated
pattern and showed the traces of many
brushings. He wore no cuffs, but swung
4 cane in one hand, while the other was
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 NerXes. 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 a perfect perform
ance, that the play would have been bet
ter mad we never been cast. Well. come
now. NerXeS. don't rail at Fate. This
isn't your cue to make scene"
''Mornin Hurald. Jurnl an Tribune"
sounded CHEEKY voice and little Tad,
newsboy. his ragged cap on the back of
his head and a few unsold papers under
his arm. stepped jauntly around the cor
uer. His clothes were poor aud his
hands were grimy, but his face was
hIithe and his laugh the essence of happy
good nature.
IVY, hello. Xerxie, old boy. Wot you
1oin here? Watchin the swell peoples go
home from church? Say, wot d. you tink
| met a rich hloke down de street wot
gimme two tickets to a charity dinner
dawn 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
lie spread. oh, no, Just dc-moish it.
that's all, If we eat there today deyIl
have to feed de rest of the push tomor-
row, Have cigarette? Nit? Say, wot's
de matter wild you today, Nerxie? Amt
you square wild de world o.
YES Tad" replied Xerxes quietly.
putting his arm about the boys shoulders
as they strollcd off together toward de
sout' side" and the promised dinner Il
GUESS I'm square enough with the world.
for wouldn't change places with any
man in ii 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 we'll tomorrow I'm going to
look for work.
Tad looked up his eyes round with as
constituent. Gee" he said.-Omaha
Rpp