The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-01-02
n Change Of Heart.
BY MARY MARSHALL PARKS.

Copyright, 1901 by Daily Story Pub. Co.
The rough door flew open at Sans
touch. 1t was never either latched or
locked. Tramps were unknown in that
mountain valley; and if some poor mi
gratory family wished to take refuge
there on a stormy night, who would say
them nay?
A faint glow at the farther end of the
room seemed only to deepen the general
obscurity; and a stranger suddenly set
down in it, would have had some diff
Guilty in determining the nature Of his
environment. But for the rough floor
under his feet he might have thought
himself in the forest; for the dim light
shone everywhere on masses of green,
and the air was resinous with pine.
Sam stopped over the fire and raked
the Goals forward. Then he lifted
huge backlog into place and heaped
the andirons with smaller sticks. AS the
glow of the roaring fire dispelled the
darkness, the rough bark and clay plas-
tered walls Of log school house APP
peared between the masses of evergreen;
but Sam surveyed the room with perfect
satisfaction. He had superintended the
work of decoration from the moment the
wagons had started to the ''pinery' for
greens, to the placing of the last festoon.
The favorite son of a country neighbor-
hood holds no sinecure. Every festivity
Sans mother often said, with an ex-
preston dolefully proud, that she mis-
doubted Sam was too harnsome for his
souls good" He was certainly good
to look at as he stood in the glancing
freight, gazing complacently around
him, straight as one of the pines he
had so gracefully robbed, and supple as
young willow.
The sound of approaching footsteps
aroused him from his trance of admira-
ton; and he hastily set about lighting
the kerosene lamps that stood in brackets
around the wall A merry group Of
young girls entered each laden with A
parcel carefully wrapped in newspaper.
With coquettish glances of mock alarm at
the young Iamplighter, they scurried to a
corner of the room which was curtained
off with dark calico, whence soon issued
much rustling of paper wrappers and
many whispered calculations
The first to emerge from behind the
screen was a slender maiden with a
pale but pretty face. Sam beckoned to
her stealthily. Her heart gave a bound,
but her composed little countenance
showed no trace of emotion
Liza" he whispered what's Pals
basket like?"
The girl stood silent, gazing at him
with inscrutable eyes.
I'D do as much for you, Liza" he
pleaded, his lip twitching eagerly. Into
the girls dark Orbs crept a look that
would have warned him had he not been
so absorbed in his purpose.
Hits a leetle house" she answered
"A house," gasped Sam.
"A leetle house all made O. cardboard.
and leetle windows with mica in 'en for
glass, an lace curtains she knit he'
sef"
Fresh arrivals cut short this secret
conference, and soon the schoolroom
which was the neig'Soorhood club house.
was overlooking with a jovial crowd of
merry makers of all ages.
The auctioneer for the evening was the
county comedian, and the ancient oulps
which adorned his speech never lost
their charm for these simple folk. The
insinuating manner in which he eiacu-
lated "Only a quarter" with a combined
nasal and cultural information that de-
fies photography, was thought the quinu-
essence of wit, and always evoked a
Whirlwind Of laughter.
His procedure on this occasion. how
ever, proved him more witty than wise.
Instead of keeping the '1eetle house .
which was the oldest and most attractive
basket brought in, for stimulating nag-
ging interest, he held it up to view first
Of ALL Grinning a cheerful response to
the murmur of admiration that arose
he opened his mouth, but
That's mine cried Sam.
81 hain't called fer no bids, Sam Ber-
ry,'' said the Master of Ceremonies, bit
ingly.
Don't make no difference. Hits mine.
responded Sam, walking up and laying
down his quarter.
Public sentiment being plainly in Sans
favor, on the principle that the king can
do no wrong, the auctioneer was obliged
to give way, and to file for future use
his joke about "a house jest built for
two
Sam staggered up and offered his arm
to Pal, forgetting to go through the form