The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-10-20
The Globes Daily Short Story

"But the Tobeys are terribly poor
She drew back the hand. "They get
poorer every year." she said. softly.
Amanda hasn't had q new bonnet,
don't know when. She and always
used to have bonnets just alike-sis-
ters So" She looked UP at him absently.
There were little anxious wrinkles
around her eyes.
His full lips remained obstinate. I'D
give her a bonnet every year-two on
EN-" he said. TT isn't the money. It's
the principle-and the apples" he add
ed.
She looked at him sadly. well, put
'em In the store room, Roger" She
spoke with sigh. She reached out a
slow hand to the basket. II always
feel as if was eating 'Manda's heart y
she said. Her teeth sank into the red
skin.
He carried the basket away. A few
minutes later he put his head into the
sitting room door. I'm going to the
store" he said. "Any errands?"
She looked up with perplexed
questioning face. She had been think
ing about Amanda Tobey's bonnet. 1t
was brown velvet. The flowers had
originally stood up straight along the
first one had toppled and fell.
ANY errands?" she repeated slowly.
IT don't know" She reused herself
why, yes. You might as well stop at
the minister's and carry a tunbler OF
| jell, and ask how his wife is"
BE sure to ask If she's any better
today" she cautioned, as she reappear.
ed with a little basket In her hand
| and carry it careful. I've put in
| some chicken BROTH
Half an hour later Roger Talcott sal
| in the minister's study, the empty bas-
| ket on his knees, his hat on the floor
| beside him, and embarrassment on his
| face.
| The minister twirled the paper-cut-
| ter in his fingers and spoke slowly. I'll
! is really a town scandal, Brother Tai
| neighbors so long, and the families
| friends for generations, and your wives
own sisters" He looked up with a pa
| cific smile.
The face opposite him gave no re-
| Spouse.
at isn't as If Brother Tobey was 6
| rich man." went on the minister, soft
ly. "They don't have-sometimes- an
afraid-they don't have the bare ne
cessities of life"
There was silence in the study. The
| clock licked uncomfortably.
Roger Talcott winked fast. "Yor
hadn't ought to let 'em suffer-" hi
| said.
"No-?" The minister waited.
''There was hundred dollars for 'en
last year." said Roger at last.
The minister assented with a nod
YES, you gave hundred-and hun
dred the year beforehand every veal
since I've been here"
| The parishioner looked little
ashamed at the recital Of his goot
deeds. His eyes were fixed on thu
basket. "How much do they need?'
| he asked, in low voice. II don't wan
Ethan Tobey to suffer-not while Tn
a-living."
The minister waited a moment in ST.
lence. That's the hard part of it,
he said at last. ''Ethan's got a sus.
picinn where the money comes from
and I can't get him to touch another
cent-not cent"
The two men looked at each other
s, Roger Talcott drew a deep breath
WE'LL" he said.
The minister nodded. "He says If +
| wasn't for the apple tree he wouldn'
mind. He'd as lief take help from vol
as not. But as long as that tree
stands and as long as you claim thu
| fruit, he'd rather starve than touch :
cent of the money! The little ministe
had grown eloquent.
| Roger Talcott stared at him. big and
helpless. what am going to do?'
he asked. T can't give up the tree
It's mine. It's a matter of principle
His mouth set itself obstinately. II
he didn't claim it, I'd give it to hin
In a minute"
The minister looked at him plying
iy. Shall we make it matter o
prayer, Brother Talcott?" he asked
gently.
Roger Talcott looked up rebelliously
After a moment Of silence he deposit
ed the basket on the floor and go
/ down on his knees.
The little minister prayed with earn
est fervor for the removal of "thi
stumbling block In Zion.' He praye,