The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-10-19

pocket-book You had. eh2s I repeated with more earnestness. Well, I'm glad of that. Charlie-or. what Is your name21 "Squatty.Y said the boy Then noticing the look of surprise upon my face he added soberly: That aint my sure enough name, you know; that's what the boys call me. Sis calls me Jamesy."
 Well Jamesy,1 I continued, buttoning my collar and drawing on my gloves, "Im mighty glad to see you. and if you don't believe it, just go down in that right-hand overcat pocket and you'll find out"
 The little fellow needed no second invi- tation, and as he drew forth closely folded package the look of cnriosity upon his face deepened to one of blank be- wilderment.
 "Open it." said I, smiling at the little puzzled face; "open it-its for you
 70. here. Cap said the boy. dropping the package on the seat, and holding up rigid finger, "you're a-givin' me this, ain't you7
 I'm giving you the package. certain ly" said ]. somewhat bewildered- ''open tits a Christmas present for you open It..
 whats your idy O layin' fer me?'' asked the boy with a troubled and un- easy air. "I've been a-givin' you square business right along, ain't IT.
 why Jamesys said l, as l vaguely comprehended the real drift of his thought. "the package is for you, and if you won't open 1t I will" and as l spoke I began unfolding 1t. Here, said l. lis a pair of gloves, little girl, about your size, told me to give to you, because l was telling her about you, over where live and it's a clear case, and l II to aG I noticed n slow flush creeping to his face And here" said l. lis a bang up pair Of good old-fashioned socks, and, if they Il fit vou, there's an old woman that wears specs and a mole on her nose, told me to tell you, for her, that she knit them for your Christmas present, and it you don't wear them she'll never forgive you. And here,' I continued, is a cap as fuzzy as woolly-worm, and as warm l a cap, I reckon, as you ever stood on your head in; it's a cheap cap, but bought 1t with my own money and money that I worked mighty hard to get, because I ain't rich: now, If | was rich, I'd buy you a plug; but I've got an idea that this little. old, woolly cap, with ear bobs to 1t, and snapper to go nnaer your chin. don't you see won't be pao cap to knock around in such weather as this What do you say nowi Try her on once" and as I spoke I turned to place 1t on his head.
 "Oomh-oohr' he negatively murmured' putting out his hand, his closed lips auiverine--the little frowzy head droop- ing forward, and the ragged shoes shuf- fling on the floor
 Come" said l, my own voice growing curiosuly changed; won't you take hese presents? They are yours; you must ac- cept them, Jamesy, not because they're worth so very much, or because they re very fine" I continued, bending down and folding up the parcel, but because, you know, I want you to, and-and-you must take them; you mustr and as l concluded I thrust the tightly folded par eel beneath his arm, and pressed the lit- tie tattered elbow firmly over 1t. There you are," said I-"Freeze onto 1t, and we'll skip off here at the avenue. Come
 I hardly dared to look behind me till found myself upon the street, but as l threw an eager glance over my shoulder I saw the little fellow following. not bounding joyfully, but with solemn step, the little parcel hugged closely to his side, and his eyes bent soberly upon the frozen ground.
 And hows Sis by this time ?' I asked cheerily, fihging the question backward, and walking on more briskly.
 '"Bout the same," said the boy, bright ening a little and skipping into livelier
 About the same, eh? and how's that?" l asked.
 'Oh, she can't get around much like 1 she used to, you know; but she's a-gittin better all the time. She set up mighty nigh all day yisterday" and as the boy spoke the eyes lifted with the old flash, and the little frowzy head tossed with the old defiance.
 "Why, she's not down sick?' said I. a sudden ache of sorrow smiting me.
 Yes" replied the boy, she's been bad a long time. You sec" he broke Tn by way of explanation, ''she didn't have no shoes ner nothin when winter come, and l lxindo' took cold, you know, and that give her the whoopin' cough so's she couldn't git around much. You jist ort 1 to see her nowl-Oh, she's a-gittin' all right now, you can betl and she said yisterday she'd be plum well Christmas, and that's ony to-morry-Guess notr' and as the little fellow concluded this exultant speech, he circled round me, and then shot forward like a rocket.
 "TIil Jamesy!" I called after him, oaus- ing at a stairway and stepping in the door.
 The little fellow joined me in an in- stant. Want that shine now?' he in- quired with panting eagerness.
 Not now, Jamesy," said I, for I'm going to be quite busy for a while. This is my stopping place nere-the second door on the right, upstairs, remember and I work there when I'm in the city. and I sometimes sleep there, when I work late And now I want to ask a very special favor of you" I continued, taking a little sealed packet from nay vest here's a little box that you're to take to Sis, with my compliments-the compliments of the season, you under- stand-and tell her I sent it, with partc- ular directions that she shouldn't break it open till Christmas morning-not till l Christmas morning, understand Then 1 you tell her that I would like very much | to como and see her, and if she says all right-and you must gwe me a good 'send-off,' and she'll say all right if Jamesy' says all right.-then come back here, say two hours from now. or three hours, or tonight anyway and we'll go down and see Sis together-what do you say?'
 The boy nodded dubiously, "Honest- must I do all that. sure enough?' Will you? said I; that's what I want to know; and pushed back the little dusky face and looked into the bewilder- ed eyes.
 "Solid?" he querled, gravely.
 " Solid l repeated. handing him the box Will you come?'
 Wy, course I will. on'y I was jist a-thinkng'-"
 Just thinking what,'' said l. as the little fellow paused abruptly and shook the box suspiciously at his ear. Just thinking what?" I repeated: flor must go now; good -bye.-Just thinking what?"
 70, nothin'," said the boy backing off and staring at me in a phase of wonder akin to -'fNothfn' on'v I uyas iie+