The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-04-01

the next easiest one, and here, on tn
lower step of a prosperous lookini
mansion, a fashionable church on tn
corner opposite, with the glorious sun
ight OF the perfect Easter mornin
lighting up with Implying u
every detail Of his shabby attire, W
md Xerxes, a gentleman Of leisure
otherwise a tramp.
Down the steps of the house mex
door. overwhelming him with thei
daintiness and their fresh, young wcm
anhood, came W. girls clad in all tn
futtering laces and ribbons that go t
Ihey We're talking too earnestly to no
tee xerxes, who drew humbly bac
that their perfumed skirts might NO
brush his soiled garments, and littl
did they realize that to the half starve
soul of the poor fellow on the lowe
step the sight OF them was like a burs
of spring, filling his heart with radi
ant warmth and the memory of hap
pier days so long ago.
Look, Nell," said one, blushinR an
holding out a tiny hand for inspection
Al, how lovely!" and Nell BEN owe
q glistening Jewel on the little finger
From Jack?"
A shy nod gsve assent, and as the
passed on their eager young voice
lame back to him like sweet music.
And I once had a sweetheart" h
mused with a sigh. land I gave her
ring, too. I remember that 1 kissed he
little hand when 1 placed it on tina
night. An, that night-the sweetnes
of It'll Where is the little ring now,
wonder, and-where Is she?"
n Woman's voice tloated out to hin
from an open window softly hummin;
ne refrain from that old serenade:
We're going to leave you now.
Good night, ladies,
S long ago." he murmured, starin,
with eyes that saw not at the pave.
ment beneath his feet-"so long ago!
l sang tina beneath her window once
The sweet strains of the closing ar
them foated across to him like a bend
diction. 1n~voluntarily he bowed hi
head. The ushers threw open the doat
of the church. and the worshipe.st
poured into the street. AS they hur.
r1ed past they glanced at Xerxes, sos1.
with curiosity, some with pity. som.
disdainfully. "All sorts and conditions
OF men," he mused as they went BY
old men. young men, self tanportnt
youths and earnest students; nischie--
Gus boys and grandsires in their dd-
age; matrons, maids and spinsters, bill
giving a glance, but rarely one of ki1l-
ness, to the shabby figure on the lowe
step.
A deacon with unsmiling face and
sanctimonious mten went gravely on
his reverend way, benignly letting fall
on bur tattered friend a superior glance,
which prompted him ironically to
quote: Verify, Lord! 1 thanl; thee
that I am not as other men!"
Then a rotund little business man.
whose faultless broadcloth AM POM
pous air bespoke the successful fnan-
cier, stopped before Xerxes and patron
!zingly inquired:
why don't you go where you belong,
my good MANI"
Because" TRANQUILITY, TN trying to
be a better man and knew I could profit
by the example OF a good, charitable,
k~ind-hearsed Christian like you!".
A gentle voice made him turn, and a
sweet-faced old with silver hair
pressed a O into his hand as she
said: You are in need, my poor fell
low. Will you take this with the hope
that o ma do better?"
"HeavenNbless you. lady" he said, as
he stood before her and barred his head.
Heaven bless you always for a kind
ly word to a poor ne're-do-well and for
recalling the face Of his dear mother.'
{ a lll1SGy lOON IN ElS eye
and a thrill of happiness in his heart
long after she had gone.
Bless her." he said. "If there were
more like her, the new woman would
never have been born"
Hello. there! Is you tired" And
a radiant little vision with the bluest OF
eyes and the sunn'cst tangie Of flying
curls, a world Of mischief in the roguish
laugh and a wealth of love for every
body In the sweet nttle faice, came
flying toward him. Xerxes ai}noat held
his breath as h little figure came IN
and held OUT to him a flower no ffairer
than herself. How many yeah rs MAS 81
since he had been SO lear To st,ch a
dainty, well cared for BIT 81 h,dmon~
ity?
said. but his voice was Very gent he
and the child, looking up into his rauas
read, with the instinct which. nIes
we all outsrow &C soon, the sweetnas.
and patience OF a soul that knaI 80
much joy: "''
Didn't I tell you net To tail, =.
strange menu" and an /irate ma1nma
swooped down on the LITTLE wo,nanl and d
gave her a vigorous shake. aAra anu
never going to mind ne, misso" TTbbaa
blue eyes filled WITH tears. but she
Dravely NODDED farlwell nj tribped
nMay. in b on ea s,sh1a xerxes with a
you have Just hEen learning wbu uiid
never have said that. He who catiadd
ne little ones unto him: wiz, sJsid,
never have wounded a childish E aa,t
when 1t mad done no wrong" ~ ,he
fragrant flower from the tint hand
and the silver coin from the Wfithe,ed
one were long cherished, recal.lSinr taa
one touch OF nature" that ny ,,s
Rll akin. Aes %
A Thespian OF the old schof ., -
he street and sauntered dowI ~ 80
nue. His well worn Prince All, ,a - s,,.h
shiny seams, was buttoned -ht,v nv
70 his chin. Ills silk hat W onti1
luated pattern and shower rnna,
u many hzpshinga He cufss'