The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1902-12-25
4 Whole Dinner
7uid
Mashed Potatoes
BY JESSIE LLEwELLYN.

although thoroughly tired in mind
II and body l felt no relief upon boz
ing free to leave the crowded store
and return to my cheap boarding house.
Slowly l made my way among chattering
clerks, comfortable matrons and fashion
able young women to the rear exit. / was
horribly conscious of my irayed jacket,
and the lean leather chatelaine at my side.
"Christmas!" / smiled bitterly.
Serves you right for not staying mar
ried," l could hear the last harsh words
OF my maiden aunt as l left the sleepy
village to seek independence and self-re-
spect
"Other women?" rang the voice, "weIl.
men will be men; he makes good living
for you, don't he"
/ heard the key turn in the great store
door, but still I remained on the step,
staring out at the lights tearfuly reflect
ed in the wet pavement, when there came.
from somewhere below my waist line, .
small whine.
please, mum, gimme . nickel"
/ looked down and beheld the smallest,
dirtiest, most forsaken little woman / had
ever seen. She could have been no more
than seven, but there was endless wealth
err tales in the hollows of her cheeks, and
the overnight black eyes bespoke knowi-
edge of filth and starvation and wretch
edness.
"Er penny" she whined.
was half interested. A thought b.
yond myself-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 in case tho
laundryman should call in my absence.
49, he
little face there was an expression about
her wide mouth that attracted me. Il
was almost motherly in its maturity.
| Laying the nickel and the penny side BY
side in my hand, said:
1T is all have. If you take the nickel
| shall have to walk home, but if it is the
penny you choose / may ride, and ! am
very tired"
She shot an impudent, inquisitlve glancs
at me.
"Where d'youse live?" she asked.
Mechanically repeated my street num-
| Der.
"Ten blocks" she scornfully replied.
Oats easy" and swiftly grabbing the
nickel she darted around the corner
The next day was Christmas, and ! did
not 60 down to breakfast, but lunched of
soda crackers and some stale candy in my
room.
| christmas! Christmas!" l repeated
the words to haunting memories, and
am afraid cried a little.
Some one tapped at my door.
"Come in" / called in quite a 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 I
could welcome her one dirty paw shot out
suddenly like her quick glances, and in the
begrimed little palm lay my nickel.
Il bringed it back" she stammered,
'cause-'cause-"
"Because?" 1 suggested, smiling.
"Jest cause II piped youse off az
kind O. on youse uppers youse own self,
and l amt seemed t sleep sound"
She got no further-thIs dirty, sinful,
little waif, 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" l 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
derelct laundryman. What would you
rather have than anything else that a 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 comical picture,
my new friend and l, as we entered the
auie., downtown restaurant. There was
Just one other person seated there on this
! Christmas day--a man over in the shadow
of the corner.
The child had scrambled into a chair
indicated by the head waiter, and / was
about to take my place opposite, when
the man in the corner suddenly arose.
l cannot, even now, remember how 1t
all happened. Confusedly / saw the young
ster's eyes grow round with wonder, and
the head waiter stifed an explanatory
oath, for l, there in the public restaurant,
l was in that strangers arms. And this
/ remember distinctly-the mans most
manly words:
Forgive me, little woman, for not fnd<
ing you sooner. have been securing the
land for you. Not word, not a word of
il all was truth, and if l had that cack.
ling old maid aunt"
youngsters:
Say. miss, dat guy is on de square
honest-I kin tell"
And bless her little heart, she did tell
the truth.
All Provided For.