Middletown transcript., 1903-01-03
A Borrowed Holiday !.
BY HATTIE ANTLEY EAIRCHILD.

MS ,COuuG0QAucS. MARY llStSl
ing for his footsteps, for it WI
now too dark to see the passer
by on the street, caught a fain
uncertain sound as of someoT
tottering on the stairs. Openin
the door, she discerned the fgul
of her husband coming wearil
up, step by step, but, oh, SO SLOW
ly. Soon she had him clasped j
her arms. No need for him
repeat the sad story of failur
again, she knew it when he toucf
ed her cheek with his cold lips.
"Where is Harry" were tn
first words he spoke after regain
ing his breath, for he was quit
exhausted by the exertion o
mounting the steep staircase.
"He's gone out. dearest;
couldn't stop him. Mary crie'
for something to eat, and the lit
tie fellow rushed ont, determines
to do something. Don't be fright
ened, Hugh, God will take carr
Of him, and Of US to,'. We mus
not hide our trouble from your
aunt any longer; it isn't justice
to our children"
Where, meantime, was little
Harry, and what was his object
in visiting the great publishing
house Of Ford & Company? Look.
ing at the huge, seven-storybuild
ing, with all its windows ablaze
with light, you would wonder
what purpose the child had in
mind.
Nearly a year before, Mary
Derwent, when the beginning OF
their troubles had come, had
mailed q story to the Manhattan
Magazine, entering the competi-
tion for a prize Of five hundred
dollars which had been offered
for the best story of ten thousand
words. Mary Derwent in her
days had written verse
which had been accepted and
published. The prospectof com'
ing trouble had stimulated her
as it has many another, to liter
ary effort, in the hope of giving
her family the helpinghand. Pow
erty had knit this little family in
to a closer and more intimate un-
ion than ordinarily exists in fam
lilies, and they had talked things
over together, but long since
Mary had ceased to wonder about
her story, giving it up for lost.
The thought of it came as an
inspiration to small Harry, and
ne meant to beg money for the
story; that was his errand.
thought the child, "ths
good editor will buy it if he
Knows how hungry we all are"
Harry's tired little feet at last
'eached the large building where
he Manhattan Magazine was pub.
ished, and through his earnest
olicitation he was admitted toI
he sditoria! rooms, where he told |
is errand. Aftersome question
ng, he was informed that Mary
)erwent's story had won the first
'rize, and as she had sent no ad-
.ress except "City," they had
orwarded the check to the Cen
raj Delivery Office.
It was far, so far to the Post
'hce, but that letter would buy
read, SO Harry trudged bravsly
q. Atlast hewas there. There
ere two letters, one for his
sther. He clutched them tight.
in his thin, small hand and
'arted for home. How far it'll
rs! II he could just hold OFT
get there! A pain came in b
ead and everything turned dark
'ound him, despite the electric
ghts. |,
There was On elegant gentle
an sauntering leisurely along,
oking almost bored by the mere
ct OF existence. Harry STOP
ID moment, passing his hand
vsr his eyes as if to clear away
70 mist, before attempting the |
uddy crossing. j
What made everything turn .
ound SO? Suddenly there was !
outcry as Q little form went ,
'wn in the midland slush, right /
front Of a carriage dashing fur {
usly onward. Poor little one, (
'or, weak, little child! A mo- 1
ent more and the cruel hoofs of
g madly driven horses will | I
ample the brave little life out. I
But no strong arm clutches Z
EN-, and with almost superhu- 9
IN strength forces them back i
their launches, as the child 9
ruggles to his feet. 1t was the {
tlsss gentleman, o Mr.. Mayo. 7
"Oh, thank you, SIR" grasped !