Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1903-12-31

alley and very breathless company
that clambered into Jerry Flynn's hack
which Elsie had hailed in the grandest
manner possible. Jerry Flynn trembled
ior the moment at the thought of his
| oright broadcloth Innings. yet there was
| DO need, The little Washingtons were
as ciean as soap and water would make
them. Their little black faces had been
scrubbed till they fairly shone. and
now mat hunger and cold were forgot
zen IN the Joy of riding with this beau
'ilul lady who had said that she would
| take them TO some place where it was
warm like summertime, their black eyes
were shining. too.
To the Union depot" Elsie had told
Jerry Flynn, and at the station they
shortly alighted. How much?" asked
the GIRL holding in her hand the crisp
| new two-dollar bill her father had
| given her that morning.
wei, ma'am, my rates is a quarter
apiece, began the smiling Jerry
"A quarter apiece!" Elsie made a
RAPID mental count "Oh, won't have
any money left to buy them something
to eat"
But seeing it's New Years" went on
the hickman, give me half dollar.
ma am, an Wen call 1t square," and
Jerry Flynn was rewarded by the smile
In Elsie's eyes
IL was as warm as summertime, and
on, so beautiful. At first the little
guests could only sit in a solemn little
row, staring wide-eyed at the marble
pillars and glittering chandeliers. They
MADE the quaintest picture, and every
one stared and then smiled; and after
awhile the Washinstons began TO smile,
TOO, and to feel less strange and to nudge
one another and whisper together in the
Jolllest way, Elsie. meanwhile, was
holding earnest conversation with the
proprietor of the lunch counter.
But you see." she said 81 have only
a dollar and half. and must keep
something to get back with Six cups
OF coffee at ten cents would be 60 cents,
and six pieces of pie at ten cents-oh,
how can | ever buy enough for those
poor chldren!"
BEG pardon maam. but didn't
know you was buyin' for that orphan
asylum over there Possibly could
find enough for you for a dollar. How's
that? I'll take the contract of film
them up for dollar"
And Elsie was glad to accept this
really generous offer. They had pie and
. duiD
beans. Some of the articles, of course,
were not as salable as they might have
been a few days before, but the Wash
ingtons did not mind this in the least,
but just ate and ate. pausing every now
and then to smile tenderly al Elsie.
When at last no one would have an
other piece of pie or another orange,
the children rolled up on the soft cush-
ions and went to sleep for all the world
like cozy little kittens. Elsie took the
queer bundle from Martha's tired arms
and fixed her own coat against the bench
that the girl might rest better, Then
she sat for long time looking about
her at her charges. and thinking what a
funny way 1t was to spend New Years
day The station policeman, who had
had his eye on them for a long time,
came forward now Were you waitin'
for a train, ma amp" he asked, touching
his cap.
"No-oh. no. thank you" said Elsie.
looking sweetly up at him.
His words put an anxious thought
into the girls mind. What were they
waiting for, after all? Where could
they go now? She listened to the ris-
ing wind and saw the seet driven
against the window. Oh, how could they
face the storm-poor Martha Washing
ton and these little ones? What could
they do but wait? And for whom-un-
less It be the Father of the fatherless?
1t was a comfortable thought, and when
after another space Of anxious watch
ing, the policeman again came forward
and said kindly won't you tell me who
you're waiting for?" Elsie smiled
through the tears that would come. and
answered soemnly, Were waiting for
the Father of the faith erless"
He was very kind-hearted police
: man, anu tIUdpH Was lfutIU
| little blue-eyed girl Of his own as he
! listened TO the simple story for he
drew one rough hand across his eyes and
said We'll, little girl, | guess You
I don't need to worry about them kids no
| longer, for I'll just call up the patrol and
take them over to the police station In
/ no time, and In the morning Wen see II
we can't get them into the colored
orphans home | guess the Father o.
the fatherless was lookin' out for then
all the time. SO you needn't worry no
more"
! Elsie stayed just long enough to see
them tucked away in little white beds
by the klnd-hearted matron, then the
policeman took her back 10 the school.
Miss Morgan was looking anxiously
from one Of the windows as the strange
pair came up the long stairs
"Why, Elsie Lawrence" she CRIED,
what on earth is the matter? Where
( have you been?"