The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1904-07-26

II was said, and not without reason,
that Grubbs had no friends. He was
I surely an uninviting old Fellow. as
/ those upon whose property he held
mortgages were well aware, but per
sons better acquainted with him. that
I is to say, those who had gIimpses Of
I his inner nature, declared that there
was good in him He used 10 come
down town every morning on the ele-
/ waited road, and at a station he began
I to look for the face Of a small boy at
/ a window II was but brief satisfac-
/ ton for of course the train halted
/ only moment, but he appeared TO
look forward to it, and would squeeze
/ himself. though a large man, into q
seat between two other large men in
| order to be on the side nearest the
I window in which the boys face ap-
| peared. Once he was late and missed
/ the face and the next morning he
made it a point to be on time again.
The face wac not there in the after
noon, when the old man returned
home, at least he had not been able to
see it, though he never failed to look
at the window. He had been talking
/ TO an acquaintance, but broke OF short
TO look Then he began TO grumble.
What's the trouble?" the acquaint-
ance asked.
"Oh. nothing much" But he shut
up and held himself in moody silence.
The next morning the face was not
there; the curtain was down. And
thus it went on for a week, Grubbs
fretting all the time. He spoke TO
some one. That face was the only
bright thing l was permitted 10 see.
and now it is gone" At night he
dreamed of the face, so expressive
and full Of wonder, and he swore that
it was shame thus to be deprived of
il; so one morning he got OF the train
to look for the face. Up a dark stair
way he CROPPED, knocked at a door.
was scolded when he explained in a
stammering manner that he was look
ing for face, went to another door
and knocked. A tired woman present
ed herself. She appeared TO be of gen
tie bearing and Grubbs, usually gruf.
spoke TO her with unwonted kindness. i
In few words he told of the face.
1T was flower to me, madam" The
woman opened wide the door and in
vited him TO enter, and there on q bed
he saw the face, pale with sickness. /
He sat down and the little fellow. who
had passed the dangerous point and
was recovering, was amused to see so
big and shaggy a man. In his own
Wv Ia rcr~.-l-o5 rr,4 n--,hL-
ed him of a great dog, and he asked
Grubbs to bark for him, which he
did, the woman smiling at him: and
after this Grubbs was known as the
dos" One morning he said to the
woman:
You con't seem to have the means
TO keep yourself properly. How do
you support yOurself?"
I work at the theater whenever I /
can set an engagement"
What sort Of work."
"Oh, help I'LL out the ballet"
The old man frovred. but she did
not notice it. well" said he. Won
must let me do something or You. I +
am much attached to this little fell
low"
He bowed over the boy. and the lit
tie fellow. reaching up and patting
the griEzled head. remarked that he
was a good dog. and then requested
the music Of a growl. Often he would
stay late-did not seem to care for
time. Several days passed, ard he re-
membered that the woman had not
accepted his offer Of help. neither had
she encouraged him in the belief that
she would accept. He renewed il. 7
tell you that this little fellow is about /
all l care for. Listen. was coming
down town one morning after
wrangle at my house with men who
were trying to beat me out of what /
belonged to me, and suddenly il fash
ed across me that there was nothing |
true and beautiful in this miserable |
old world, and then at that very mo- !
ment first caught sight OF this little /
fellow and"
And you've been good ever since"
the boy broke in.
"Yes, or at least better than was. 1
Madam. you must let me help you. I
believe you said your name is Mar /
ley"
She nodded, But my name amt
that" the boy cried out. and she babe
him hush.
Madam, win you do me a great
favor?" he asked.
Il don't know. sir. But you have
been kind enough to warrant it,"
Thank you. 1t has been good