Rosebud County news. [volume] (Forsyth, Mont.) 1901-1906, 1901-12-19


humbly. Can have some coffee?"
Meanwhile Donald was turning the
pages of his book. Here's a funny
picture" he announced, pointing with
his fat little finger, "hut it's bout a
dreadful naughty boy. I'll read bout
him." and, in very solemn and inn
pressive tone, he repeated the tale Of
Tom, Tom, the Piper's Son.
Its dreadful bad to steal, you
know" he commented, gravely. my
mamma says SO, and, of course, she
knows-mammas know most every
thing, don't they? Once-what do you
think?-I stole! I didn't steal a pig
like Tom, but stole some little cakes,
and my mamma talked to me long
time, and she told me so many things
so I'd grow to be good man. Did your
mamma want you to be a good man,
too?"
The man choked on a hasty cup OF
coffee. but made no reply. Donald did
not seem to expect one, but chatted ON.
Il was 'fraid my mamma did not love
me any more when l stole those cakes,
cause she looked so sorry, but" with
happy little laugh, seemed like she
loved me more'n ever after. But l
don't want to see her look sorry like
that again. Did you ever make your
mamma look sorry-out of her eyes,
you know"
A smothered groan from the
stranger and, with a child's intuition
Of something wrong" Donald sought
to cheer and console, and said, reas-
suiingly. well, you just go an tell
her you're sorry an see if she don't
be glad and love you. I most know
she will"
The man had ceased eating and sa.
motionlcss with his head bowed on
his breast until Mary approached and
CURLY asked if he were done eatin'."
"Yes," he answered absently, and.
looking wistfully at the child. he
reached for his hat.
lis you goin' to see your mamma ?"
questioned Donald, eagerly.
eyes, my little man." came the an
swer, in Il clear, ringing voice that
made Mary jump and drop a basin.
That's just where l am going. But
first. tell me your name'
I'm little Donald Robert Tracy, and
my papa's big Donald Robert"
"Good-by, little preacher. You're
the best one Eve ever heard" and
just brushing the golden head with
his lips, the tramp passed out of the
door and went down the street, not
with the slouching, hang-dog air with
which he had approached the house.
but with head erect and shoulders
easy strides.
"Of all the ungrateful wretches'
exclaimed Mary; angrily, to Mrs
Tracy, who had slipped in through the
half-open door. "He never even sale
thank you.'' Her mistress did not
seem to hear. but, with shining eyes
gathered her little son up in her arms
and, as she pressed him closely to her
she whispered brokenly, "And little
child shall lead them.''
A year passed, and little Donald'>
by all save Mrs. Tracy. She often Won
dered what fruit the good seed sowr
by the innocent child last Christmas
morning Lad borne. That he had beer
Gods chosen instrument for working
out some great end, her gentle heart
never doubted.
1t was, therefore, a great pleasur.
and satisfaction to her to receive a
long letter from the "man" It was
written from his home in far eastern
city, and told, in simple, straight
forward manner the story of his down.
fall and how, moved by Donald's child
lsh prattle, he had worked his way
back home, resolved to begin life
anew; how kind friends had helped
him and encouraged him, and how he
was doing we'll at his old trade of
bookbinding.
Il was going from bad to worse" the
letter ran, land nothing is easier for
young fellow to do, and the road
down to being common tramp is
short one when one gets started. When
| came to your house that Christmas
morning l was bitter, hard and des-
perate. No one living could have
touched my heart as did that little
blue-eyed boy. His little sermon, with
its text taken from Mother Goose
snatched this poor brand from the
burning. Tell the little chap that I
found my mamma, and she was glad
as he said"
Accompanying the letter was pack
age of Christmas gifts, addressed to
Donald Ammo Othor thiDoc 49,.