Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-09-19
A WHITE CARNATION
uEwAs only newsboy, and dirty ans

Was hurry lhs Tor hef lfalhs dropped DuA
de Of papers from her niul he sprai al once
to Ltr ASSISTANCE. With a quick Il Il picA
EN- III. Miss he gathered them together
brushed Oh the dust. and handed them q
her, with queer little grab at his dllapl-
dated cap.
'Thauk you, little fellow" she said,
won't YOU have one Of my howersW ant
selecting one from large bunch Of white
carnations which she carried she put 1t into
his hand and then passed quickly on.
Bobby gazed at the flower with look Of
amazement, which soon changed into broad
smile Of delight IN take it home 10 Mag
gle" be said Maggie was his sister, who
shared with him the two tiny rooms in
wretched tenement which Bobby called
home)
So he buttoned it up carefully under his
jacket, and that night the fair white bios
som displayed its splendors to the happy
eyes Of Maggie.
IF you keep it in fresh water" he said,
as he gave it to her, 'it'n last a week,
maybe"
The next morning, as Bobby was sorting
his papers, he heard a bright Good mort.
ing" and looked up just in time to catch
a nod and smile from the young lady who
had given him the flower the night before.
A young man in brown ulster was with hes,
and Bobby heard her say as they passed
along: It's my little newsboy, Jack, that
picked up the papers for me last night"
That night Bobby was on the lookout,
and his vigilance was not in vain, for when
Miss Rea passed him she smiled pleasant,
ly; the young man in the brown ulster was
,4-ftb hor evsiv and la 900 s,avs pnhhV a
careless little nod.
Bobby's eyes were bright as he wen
hofeward. and Maggie met him al the door |
with face as happy as his own. 20, Bob
by she cried, eagerly, Il showed Mr.
OBrien my flower this afternoon and she /
said if l kept il in water maybe Il would /
grow roots, because it's got such long stem
and Sc many leaves to il"
Sure enough, after a few DAYS Of careful
watching and tending tiny white roots or.
peared. then Maggie filed an old can with 1
earth, aud the little slip was gently placed
10 H. II grew and h0urished. and with t
the friendship between Bobby the flower
lady, as he called her, and the Young man
In the brown ulster increased. Every morn
ing Bobby was watching for them, and every
evening he stood where they would pass
him on their way TO the train. There was
always some pleasant greeting ready, which
frightened Bohby's day and sent him home
Il night with a cheerful heart.
But one chilly February morning as Bolr'
~ stood in his accustomed place he saw
he young man come across the street alone.
fhere was a troubled look on his face, and
be passed Bobby without even a glance.
A vague fear rose in the boys heart, ar
lothing was able to dispel il; his other
missed the CHEEKY situation with
which be usually greeted them, and NOR :
han one looked curiously at the childish
ace with its preoccupied expression.
That night when Bobby entered the room :
iaggie Immediately noticed that something
-as troubling him, but she could obtain nc
for be said never a word, feel
ng that to put his dread into words was 70
rake the realization more possible.
On the third day Bobby could endure Il no
niger; as the young man crossed the street
ONE one stepped directly into the path. He
,oked down impatiently, but bis face
hanged as he recognized the boy
What is itg" he asked quickly but not I
nkindly. q
"The lady, SIR Bobby said, family, 'fsn't
le coming any moreg' !
81 hope 50, said the Young man. gravely.
but not just now. She is sick you see,
I'd the doctors say IL viii be a long time at
asst before she can come again" I
Bobby turned away; the dread in his heart Q
I'd been put into words, aud the direct
Howledge. although he had longed for il,
as almost more than he could bear.
At last, just a week from the morning l
hen be had FIRST heard the sad news. as :
0bhy stood at his post, he saw the young :
an coming across the street, with a face I,
white and set and stamped with terrible I
rrow that for a moment Bobhy's heart s
God still Then as the Young man came I
ose 20 him he stepped forward lnvolun y
rily, and laid his hand on the brown sleeve i
be young man turned sharply. almost
srcely, at the touch, but as he looked down 4
20 the little face raised to his, his own /
ftened !
The boy spoke no word, but the other read
e question in the eager, anxious ewes. and
ID ia a low, choked voice: "She died this
oniug. am going back ia an hour" :,
Bobby's hand dropped from the young
ans arm; for a moment he stood still | q
zed by the words he had just heard. Their. b
gard.ess Of his unsold papers. he turned &
"a went slowly back to the Old tenement c
had left but half an hour before.
Maggie started with surprise as Be came 4
, tut one glance al his grief stricken face !,
ld her the whole story.
The lady, Bobby" she gasped. as :
-f7 =
shes dead said Bobby, dropping into a
e nearest chair, and laying he head on
e old table, "the young man told me- I'LL
yer see her again. and can't do anything
: her, and the little figure was shaken by h
avy sobs. Maggie stood silently beside Il
N for some moments; then. suddenly turn. | /,
s, she weat into the second of the two lit A
rooms
When she returned she carried the old can .
which they had planted The carration. |.
now held sturdy plant and bearing itself I
oudy aloft on its slender stem was a beau :
%. blossom
See Bobby" she said. laying her hand
the bowed head Eve been keeuing Il
: a surprise for you, but you shall have it b
: the lady. Perhaps the young man can h
se il o her" a.
Bobby looked up; motionless he gszed at