The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-12-30
"THE MEANEST MANu
BY DOLLIE FAUI,,

there's blood on her face He did
not answer any of them. Keep out of
the way" he snarled. 'Whera,s the
policeman, There sir. right here. >
said loud voice and man in hlne
uniform elbowed his way through the
crowd knocking down every che that
crossed his path, whats the matter?,'.
Matter enough, where were Won
nve minutes ago that you would let a
little child try and cross this slippery
street alone"
Don't get smart. retorted the blue
coat. Let me take the child. Is she
hurt?" 'io
II don't know. what should 1 know
about it?"
The policeman took the still uncon-
scious child and carried her into q
neighboring drug store. Some ire
slstable impulse compelled Skinflint to
follow. The girl soon revived and be-
gan to cry i want my mamma. I want
my mamma.
"Who is your mammal" asked the
policeman.
why, she's my mamma of course
said the child. ~
What's your mammals name? I.
80, you mean what papa calls her
He calls her Nellie"
Nellie" gasped Skinflint, as he
turned pale and started forward
Whats the matter?" said the nolice.
man.
20 nothing, nothing" he answered
but to himself he said nellie. that
was her name"
What's your papa's name?" beoan
the policeman again.
"Oh, mamma calls him WILL
II guess I'll have to give it up." said
the policeman shes lost. / guess.
and IN have to take her to the station
house. 1 say, my man." Ito Skinflint)
you picked her up; suppose YOU take
her to the stationhouse this is nv busi-
est hour" $50
"I-you mean me?"
eyes, why not7"
II don't know, I guess [ will. -
Somehow, the curls were very attrac-
tive to him.
II like you," confded the child, as
they went down the street together.
"Oh, ah-yes, do you?" murmured
Skinfint. : -
"Yesl yes! and | am going to tell my
mamma what nice man you are. Will
ever find my mammal"
Your mamma will come soon, pet.
don't cry,' then he caught his breath.
What had he said? He looked sropnd
nervously to see if any one had heard
him.
CHAPTER Nv.
Chris tmas is coming; amt YOU
glad :" prattled the little child" Lam.
and hope Santa Claus will bring me
something nice. But my papa saws he
don't like this Christmas, cause he has
TO work. Do you work on Christmas 9n
that isl don't know, - stammer-
+ ed Skinfint.
Inc man that my papa works for is
mean old Skinfint, that's what papa
calls him. You don't like mean men,
do your"
Mean old skinf1nt," thought he,
well. that's nice. /"
Papa says all the clerks hate him.
Do your
II don't work for him"
Don't you? Amt you glad? Is your
man meant"
By this time the stationhouse was
reached, and was telling the sergeant
her story.
swell, we'll" said the sergeant. "if
she is lost, we will easily find her
folks. Hardly had he stopped speak
ing when a policeman and lady en-.
tered. The policeman began to tell
about the lady who lost her child.
''Why," cried the girl, that's nv
mamma. "How did you know I was
here" m
Il Thought you were lost" said her
mother.
"Why, | was, and this man found
me-" and sherlock hold of Skinflints
hand and drew him around
Nellie he cried.
"Why Edward she said, 81 never
thought of finding you here"
Nor l you either" he returned
49," he said with bitter smile, 'you
are married.,
well, what could you expect?" re-
torted she. When promised to wait
for you, didn't know was expected
to wear my life out. In five years did
not hear from you. How long did you
expect girl to wait for you? The viii
lage people began to talk, and said Won
would never come back, and SO / mar
ried.'
ii forgot all about you," cried
skinfint, II was SO busy getting rich. .
well forgive you," said Nellie. II
guess we are both better off now and
she turned to go.
Stay" he cried, what is your hus-
bands name?"
William Jackson" she replied.
"Who does he work for?"
"a man named-why your names
5kinfint."
"Yes," he answered.
81 didn't know you had grown SO
hardened that you could not afford to
give your clerks days vacation"
No" he answered, II am NOT
Here. . to the wondering child, give
this to your mother" and wrote on q
slip of paper i
w. Jackson $50
Need not work Dec. rs.
r. w. Skinfiint.
Thank you" said Nellie.
Goodbye" he said, goodbye
Goodbye, Mr. Man" called the lit
tie girl. Use awful glad found you,
and I'll ask Santa Claus to bring 70
something nice.
Next morning was Christmas morn