The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1903-12-24
all this. Martha obeyed wonderingly,

which Elsie had hailed in the grandest
manner possible. Jerry Flynn trembled
for the moment at the thought of his
bright broadcloth Innings, yet there was
no need. The little Washingtons were
as clean as soap and water would make
them. Their little black faces had been
scrubbed till they fairly shone, and
now that hunger and cold were forgot
ten in the joy of riding with this beau
| t1ful lady who had said that she would
take them to some place where it was
warm like summer time, their black eyes
were shining, too.
ITO 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.
well, ma'am, my rates is quarter
apiece" began the smiling Jerry.
"A quarter apiece!" Elsie made a
rapid mental count. ooh, 1 won't have
any money left to buy them something
to eat!"
But seeing it's New Years." went on
the hackman, give me half a dollar,
ma'am, an We'll call it square," and
jerry Flynn was rewarded by the smile
in Elsie's eyes.
| 1t was as warm as summertime, and
oh, 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 Washingtons began to smile,
| too, and to feel less strange and to nudge
one anoths- and whisper together in the
Joiiiest way Elsie, meanwhile, was
| holding earnest conversation with the
proprietor Of the lunch counter. -
But you see," she said, II have only
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 I ever buy enough for those
poor children!"
beg pardon, ma'am, but I didn't
know you was buyin' for that orphan
asylum over there. Possibly cou.a
find enough for you for dollar. Howl
that? I'll take the contract of film
them up for dollar"
And Elsie was glad to accept thfs
really generous offer. They had pie and
coffee and sandwiches and pork and
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 at 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 coy 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 it was to spend New Years
day. The station policeman, who had
had his eye on them for long time,
came forward now. Were you waitin'
for train, ma ann" he asked, touching
his cap. e.. go. -, r.,, 81. =.
/ "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 sleet 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 comfortable thought, and when,
after another space of anxious watch
ing, the policeman again came forward
and said kindly, Wont you tell me who
you're waiting for?" Elsie smiled
through the tears that would come, and
answered solemnly, Were waiting for
the Father Of the fatherless."
He was a very kind-hearted police
man, and perhaps was remembering
little blue-eyed girl of his own as he
listened to the simple story, for h..
drew one rough hand across his eyes and
said: well, little girl, guess You
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 we'll see If
we can't get them into the colored
orphans home. I guess the Father of
the fatherless was lookin' out for them
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 kind-hearted matron, then the
policeman took her back to 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?" .- H.. -~'
When she heard the story, Miss Nor
gan sat silent for a long time, and there
was a suspicion of tears in her voice as
she said: well, little girl, think you
have had a very happy New Year, in
deed" detroit Free Press ~: Il