The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-07
BY CHARLES FREDERIC CoSS.
[CoPYsIoHr. 1902, The BowEs-MERRnL COMPANY

her wardrobe with the money so gener-
ously provided by Bridget Donovan.
I'VE must not be too extravagant." said
the superintendent
But she must be well dressed, replied
his wife. She requires but little decora-
ton, being her own most perfect adorn-
ment. But she can stand a great deal! And
then. Texas is a great way off, and those
Donovans live in the country, and perhaps
do not know do not care much about
pretty clothes. So We must send their little
girl to them well and beautifully dressed.
/ have a great deal of faith in the infiu-
ence Of pretty clothes. Oh. yes we differ:
but 1 am right So just leave it to me. and
will send them something that will trans
form their home
She had her way, and when they took
Dolly down to the station that night In her
shaggy Tam o Shanter, her fuzzy ulster.
her fur muff and boa, she was a charming
sight, sweet. so simple, so beautiful,
happy. For how could she be sad? What
did she know about the loss she had suf-
fered in her parents DEATH the danger of
leaving these kind friends; the length Of
the journey; the peril of the adventure?
There is nothing in life that stabs the
heart with such a poignant sorrow as re-
alizing that our children can exist with
out u.s. can even be happy. But reflection
turns this sorrow to joy. For who would
have the life of little child darkened
and saddened by the full appreciation of its
loss, just for the egotstic pleasure of know
ing we had made ourselves indispensable to
it?
No, their ability to dispense with neces-
stiles. to accept impossibiities, to adjust
themselves to new situations without re-
greet, TO face peril without consciousness of
its existence, TO root themselves like seeds
I'm any soil, will always remain the most
beautiful and affecting phenomenon of life.
When the good superintendent and his
wife took Dolly through the big iron gates
at the station and down the stone path be-
side the iron track, there were half dozen
iocomtives painting slowly and heavily as
If signing over the long journey they were
about to make. crowds of people brushing
past each other and struggling for the best
seats, baggage men pushing carloads Of
trunks before them, grimy workmen tap
ping the iron wheels with iron hammers.
The confusion was appalling. 1t was in
comprehensive. But nothing disturbed the
little traveller. She rolled her big blue eyes
around and smiled at everybody who looked
at her, and for that matter at those who
did not. She simply took everything for
granted, which is the deepest wisdom of
life and attainable only by children
LET take her. said the coIored por-
ter, captivated by the little beauty and
| sublimely unconscious of the big satchel
and lunch basket of which he should have
relieved the superintendent
This is a little girl going to
Texas the superintendent said to the
| sleeping-car conductor. who stood by the
steps as they entered.
"Alone?' he asked a look of tenderness
| suddenly lighting his features.
Eyes. alone. She is little orphan and
is on her way to a new home. You will be
kind to her, won't you?" the superintendent
| said.
I've got one of my own he answered,
drawing himself up with fatherly pride.
| The superintendent smiled, and they all
followed the porter and his little charge
| into the car
| Here is her ticket. and this is her little
shipping tag. pinned to a pleat In her dress
right over her heart. Dolly Beardsley from
the Cincinnati Orphans Home, care of
Michael Donovan, Killarney Cattle Ranch.
near FL Paso Texas"
You think she will be safe, don't your
| the superintendent wife asked, more than
half regretting the risk that she was tax
| ing.
LAS safe as In her crib under your own
| roof, madam. There is not an employee on
a railroad in America who would not die
for a charge like that" the conductor re-
piled, with proud confidence in American
| manhood.
The superintendent and his wife fingered
lovingly with Dolly until the bell rang
and then the good-byes had to be said.
Their kind words and their faces, sad
now for the first time. made the occasion
serious one to the little traveller, and her
chin began to CULVER.
That beautiful signal of distress recalled
them to their duty to be brave, and they
tried to smile.
"Dood by. I'll tome adam, thoon," she
answered. putting up her little mouth to be
kissed
1t was like parting with their own flesh
and blood.
When they bad disappeared and the little
pilgrim found herself alone among so many
strange people, two great tears rolled from
her eyes, the corners OF her little red lips