The Lamar register., 1902-12-24
A Whole Dinner
cufd
Mashed Potatoes
by JESSIE LLEwELLYr-.

TTNHE holiday rush kept us late, and
altaou-h thoroughly tired in mind
III and boy | ftlt no relief upon be-
nG isce TO leave the crowded store
md return 10 my cheap boarding house
slow.y | made my way among chattering
| etks. comfortable matrons and fashion
| lble young women TO the rear exit. ! was
aorribly conscious OF my trayed jacket.
md the lean leather chatclainc at my side
"Christmas!" | smiled bitterly.
Serves you right for not staying mar
| lied" ] could hear the last harsh words
81 my maiden aunt as | left the sleepy
village to seek independence and self-re-
.pcct.
Other women" rang the voice, well,
nen will he men; he makes good living
ior you, don't he:"
/ heard the key turn il the great store
door, but still | remained the step,
staring out at the lights teariully reflect
ed in the wet pavement. when there came,
from somewhere below my waist line.
email whine
please, mum, gimme a nickel:'
| looked down and beheld the smallest,
trtiest, most forsaken tile woman | had
tver seen. She could have been no more
thar seven, but there was endless wealth,
err tales in the hollows of her checks, and
|
edge of filth and starvation and wretch
edpess.
''Er penny" she whined.
| l was half interested. A thought be
yond myscIi-and him-was welcome.
please, mum" she began again.
There were Just six cents in my pocket,
for | had deposited my last dollar with
the boarding g-housekeeper in case the
aundryman should call in my absence.
| 1. ha .b, TIp
| little face there was an expression about
her wide mouth that attracted me. 1t
was almost motherly in its maturity.
Laying the nickel and the penny side by
side in my hand. | said:
| at is all | have. Ii you take the nickel
l shall have 10 walk home, but ii it is the
penny you choose l may ride, and l am
very tired.
She shot an impudent. inquisitlve glance
at me.
,"Where d'youse live?" she asked.
Mechan cally l repeated my street num-
ber.
"Ten blocks!' she scornfully replied.
Oats easyn' and swiftly grabbing the
nickel she darted around the corner.
The next day was Christmas, and l did
not go down to breakfast, but lunchcd Off
soda crackers and some stale candy in my
room.
"Christmas! Christmas" repeated
the words to haunting memories, and l
am afraid cried little.
Some one tapped at my door.
Come in" | called in quite matter
of fac. tone. The door opened timidly,
and there on the threshold stood no other
than my little beggar OF the night be-
fore.
She was much embarrassed, but before
could welcome her one dirty paw shot out
suddenly like her quick glanees, and in the
begrimed little palm lay my nickel.
II bringed it back, she stammered,
'cause-'cause-"
"Because." l suggested, smiling.
Jest cause IL piped youse off as
KIND o on youse uppers yousc own self,
ard | amt seemed t sleep sound
She got no further-thIs dirty, sinful.
little waf, for l had gathered her up in
my arms and was holding her very tight.
Some one cared. On that desolate Christ
mas some one actually cared.
Little woman" | said presently, laps
ing into the language of him who was
constantly in my thoughts, there is one
dollar coming to me, all on account of q
lerelct laundryman. What would you
rather have than anything else that dol
lar can buy?"
Has youse got de dough, sure 'nough!'
nodded.
| Instantly she answered me: say, What
nd a whole dinner cost, wild mashed po'
tatoes fer both of usens:'
We must have made comlcal picture.
nv new friend and /, as we entered the
nuie. downtown restaurant There was
lust one other person seated there on this
Christmas day-a man over in the shadow
Of the corner.
Inc child had scrambled into a chair
indicated by the head waiter, and 1 was
,bout to take my pac, opposite, when
the man in the corner suddenly arose.
| | cannot, even now, remember how 1t
III happened. Confusedly | saw the young
tiers eyes grow round with wonder, and
/ the head waiter stifled an explanatory
cath, for /, there in the public restaurant,
| was in that strangers arms. And this
remember distinctly-the mans most
manly words:
Forgive me. little woman, for no: find
inc you sooner. | have been securing the
land for you. Not a word, not word OF
!; all was truth, and if had that cack-
ling old maid aunt
\ voice interrupted him. 1t was the
youngster
say. miss, dat guy is on de square
hone-t-l kin tell"
And bless her little heart, she did tel
the truth.
All Provided For.