The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-05-11

mays ihuceu' nave DSen younger. LII
lines about his mouth and the crow
feet about the eyes told of life thu
mad been none too easy, and vet theI
was that subtle air of prosperity abor
him, too, that in turn told it's tale.
Outside in the street the sun beG
down on the white sidewalk with
glare that reflected even into the care
fully shaded shop. Behind the count
ers the young women stood or sat i
small greups. They looked cool an
pretty in their light summer frocks
On the counters were toys. heaps pile,
ON heaps, 1t seemed to the man, al
though the arrangement was orderl.
enough.
For q moment he stood in the door
way. After the glare of the street thu
shop seemed almost darkness. Grad
ually the forms of the young womer
were outlined to his sight, and then hi
saw dlmly the things on the counters.
An officious and oDsequious young
man came forward rubbing his hands
Within q minute the man was Ii
charge of cool-looklng young WON
an, with pretty smile and a gracious
manner. Almost before he knew Il
the man was talking with her and ex
planning things that needed no expla
nation.
II want to get er-er-er, toy
you know" he said.
"Yes. sir" said the young woman
Here is a very pretty doll. How
would that do?' and she brought out
wonderful creation with eyes that
opened and shut, and long blonde
curls. 1t was dressed in a pale blue
silk gown. How do you like that?'
asked the young woman, holding The
doll up for inspection. Then she
pressed hidden spring.
Mamma. mamma, papa, papa!
said the doll.
Great Scott! what's thatT' almost
shouted the man.
II was making the doll talk" replied
the girl.
do they make dolls that talk ??
asked the man.
"Why." said the girl, with pitying
smile, "they did that ten years ago."
Ibid they?" said the man; well
you see. it's good many years since
I've seen any toys"
"Shall l send it homec" asked the
young woman.
mo" said the man, Il don't think
that would do at all. / suppose yor
ty,I- ffxy oil RI ho hrJu
ing toys" he continued. irrelevantly
''but you see, I've been so busy trying
to get rich that / never had time to
think of getting married till about two
years ago. Been out West all the
time" he continued. half sadly. "and
somehow, 1 didn't see many things like
that out there"
Here 10 something else that you
might like, SIR" interposed the young
woman, as she brought out wonder
full locomotive and train of cars. She
pressed a spring and the engine bel
rang, the whistle blew, and off the
train started on the circular track.
us that what they call toy?" asked
the man.
'"That is certainly toy" replied the
girl, with laugh.
IL wish I could remember some OF
the things had to play with when
was a boy" unused the man; II dom
suppose you could get a Noah's ark
could your" he continued doubtfully.
''Ill see. sir" said the young WON
an, ''but they're awfully old-fash
toned"
"Mebbe so; mebbe So" said the maj
absently.
The young woman walked to thu
rear of the shop and soon returned
with the toy In question.
Yes, there it was. The Noah's ark
1t hadn't changed bit in all the years
that had fed. The same old gablet
roof, one side of which opened like the
lid of box. The same square win
dows. the same narrow ledge around
the bottom. and the picture of the
dove. bearing Ahe branch of Olive
painted on the side.
Slowly the man opened the box an6
began to take out the little figures
His hands actually trembled with de
light. The wonderfully made green
trees. standing on the little brown
bits of wood that are meant to repre-
sent mother earth. The quaint figures
of men and women; the soldiers with
their little wooden stats. And then
the animals. Where has their like ever
been seen before?
lie spread them out before him and
looked at and beyond them. and the
shop and the glare Of the sidewalk
without vanished from his vision
Green fields stretched before him, and
deep in their hollows nestled the little
white house with the bright greer
blinds and the red chimney.
In front of the house was a narrow
little walk bordered on each side will
sweet peas in bloom. How they
smell! He could even smell them here
In the shop. Then he looked up. The
girl was wearing a bunch of those
wonderful blossoms In her belt. HI
had almost forgotten how sweet those
blossoms can smell. There is small
lad running up the narrow walk to
ward the house. One arm. broken by
fall from a tree. hangs limp by hi!
side. A sweet-faced woman come.
rushing out to meet him. and with {
cry of tender love gathers him in hel
arms. He lies in her arms. sobbins
while they rush for doctor. And a!
he lies there. bearing the pain as bes
he can. the little sister came toddlins
up with something IN her hand fol
him.
"Tske dis, Tommy % burt" spt