Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1902-12-25

ed in the wet pavement, when there came,
from somewhere below my waist line, a
small whine
please, mum, gimme a nickel?"
| looked down and beheld the smallest,
Girtiest, most forsaken little woman | had
ever seen. She could have been no more
than seven, but there was endless wealth
er tales in the hollows of her cheeks, and
the over-bright black eyes bespoke knowl-
edge of filth and starvation and wretch
edness.
"Er a penny" she whined.
! was half interested. A thought be-
yond myself-aRd 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-housekeel - in case the
laundryman should call in my absence.
Notwithstanding the child's hardened
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:
1T is all | have If you take the nickel
| shall have to walk home, but il it is the
penny you choose | may ride, and | am
very tired
She shot an impudent, inquisitlve glance
at me.
Where d'youse live?" she asked.
Mechanically | repeated my street num-
ber
Ten blocks" she scornfully replied.
Oats easy!' and swiftly grabbing the
nickel she darted around the corner.
The next day was Christmas, and l did
not 20 down to breakfast, but mnched off
soda crackers and some stale candy in my
room.
christmas! Christmas!" | 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
could welcome her one dirty paw shot out
suddenly like her quick glances, and in the
begrmed little palm lay my nickel.
II bringed it back" she stammered,
cause cause
"Because?' | suggested, smiling.
Jest cause Il pped youse off as
kind o. on youse uppers youse own self,
ard | amt seemed t sleep sound"
She got no further-thls dirty, sinful,
little waif, for | had gathered her up in
my arms and was holding her very tight
Some one cared! On that desoate 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 a
dcrelIct 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 |
'ud a whole dinner cost, wild mashed p0- /
t.-oes fer both of u,en,E'
We must have made a cOmical picture, /
my new friend and l. as we entered the .
quiet, downtown restaurant. There was /
just one other person seated there on this /
Christmas day-a mau over in the shadow .
81 the corner
The child bad scrambled into a chair
indicated hy the head waiter and | was .
about Go take my place opposite. when .
the man IN the corner suddeuly arose.
| cannot even now. remember huB it /
an happened touuseiB I -lW the Young.
ster'- eyes grow round Wilh wonder. and /
The bead waiter sul.d an escllmatay
oath inr 9, shore u the public restaurant. .
! was Boo r.Ht stranger arms Aud this .
{ remember distinctly tAy mans most
manly N.H.s.
"tarayg me. little woman. FOR uo, find. I
.us 5000 sooner / have been occurring fae
land 0lr gaa. Not w.aH noe q word ~
10 al Uas ru.h and H / uaI tHa. each
ing uH maid aunt
voice interrupted huu. lt vas the
yuuHgafur
"eaE. mH aat my .s oR Dc square
h.H..f $500 ts#"
AHi u..a .s. ..Ie heart. sar ll ell
t4g st..a,