New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-15
"Kiddic. come here -

No reply.
Where the something are yer9
Still silence. Then the speaker. red faced
virago came from behind the counter and went
TO the foot OF the stairs, holding the door OF
communication open that she might overhear
the chance entrance of customer.
kiddie you bratr' she yelled; and her voice
travelled up the dirty staircase 10 the garnet
under the roof. In response to the summons
child OF ten came hurrying down the stairs.
girl with frightened face, wispy hair all
tumbAing into her eyes. and clad in such
ragged apology for a frock that the only Won
der was she could keep it her miserable little
back.
Where ave yer bine Didn't yer ear me
holering fer yerc"
The demand was accompanied with box on
the ears that the child never much as at
tempted TO evade. whimpered at
Mind the shop while goes out pursued the
virago; "and don't yer touch the sweets or III
make II warm fer yer"
Riddle without word skunk into the dirty
unttdy shop and went behind the counter
Singing a frowsy bonnet all askew on her
frowsier head the prOprietress OF the sweet
shop went out with a final malevoIent glance
Keeping 'er all these years. feeding 'er.
clothing or. the brat, Pretty expense she's bin
to me- and clip? Not bit OF il, Ell never
come back from America or CaIiforry or wher-
ever 1t is 'es CORN Left 'er my 'ands to
DFlng up and eddlCate e ave"
The street Little R-sseI-st a dinzv
turning on the dingiest end OF the WaIworth
Road, and the time o'clock on a wet evening
in the early autumn. Klddie shfvered in her
ragged frock a she crouched behind the shop
counter. She was leaning her long elbows on
the counter and her thin face her hands q
face whose age might have been anything from
eight TO eighty She appeared lost in thought
though il was open to doubt if she were capable
OF the effort Of thinking. Not that she was
stupid; the School Board looked after her prop
erly, and was giving her an education But a.
long course of neglect and Ill treatment had
stunted her mind almost 10 vacuity.
Now and then dirty urchius wou 1 run in and
demand ha'pOrths Of sweets She supplied them
flung the sticky coins into the till. and resumed
her uncomfortable attitude. The voices OF two
or three ragged youngsters. feeding their eyes
on the sweets displayed in the utte shop win
pence. hoated in through the hall closed door.
The rain drove against the wfndcw now and
then. and the wind made the gas lamp opposite
flicker.
Presently shock head OF hair appeared at
the doorway. and Riddle looked up.
'Ello"' said a voice.
Come in
Where's the old geeser?' demarIed the own
er OF the head OF hair abiding 20 the virago.
who was. by reason OF her strong language and
heavy hand a terror TO the small boys and girls
Of the neighborhood-
out"
The owner OF the shock herd cautiously
brought the remainder OF his person into the
shop. He then proceeded TO execute a grew
some sort OF pantomiue expressive Of his de-
light at the vtrago's absence and OF what fate
he wished her. a performance upon which Kid
die gazed stolidly, having witnessed It many
times previously AT its close she took her ell
bows Off the counter. and, having filed
hand with sweets. held them out to the per-
former.
"HaIves," said that young ragamufin. IN
hoarse whisper
Accordingly. Riddle laid the sweets down on
the counter and divided them fairly and SQUARE
| ~ The newcomer seated himself upon a pile
OF chocolate boxes and munched his share
contentedly He was ragged young imp with
and surveyed Kiddie. whose sweets were IN
touched. with a knowing cock OF his bare.
tousled head
Got the 'ump?" said he.
"SuDDOSe so"
she bin licking yer again."
Not much-"
You jes wait till I'm growed up Wen git
married and we'Il have a shop OF our own Kid
die, you and me, an Wen let 'er go to-
Here he paused suddenly and took sweet
ITO the worl'us." said Kiddie-
Il wishes how 'ad some money" said Pat:
you and me q run away. I've orten thought
o doing it," he went on, leaning over the little
counter and speaking in excited whisper.
Your old woman ticks yer. and my father belts
me and straps me. We'd Civ EN- both the slip.
Kid. and no error We couldn't git married list
yit though"
No" said Kiddie. seriourIy.
She was many miles from laughing a. the
proposed elopement- The natural laughter OF
childhood had long since been crushed and beat
en- out OF her.
NO one II ever come back fer yer now said
Pat.
Kiddie shook her head with the air OF one who
has long lost all hope.
Yer amt a-going to spend all yer blessed life
being nasged at and knocked about. yer?
I'm a-saving up fer il. Riddle. I am. straight.
You've alters been my sweetheart ever since
that day Yer Civ me a kiss, when told the old
woman wOt I thort OF 'er a-hitting yer. Kiss
me jisC once, Kiddie. fer 'membrance."
kiddie put up her lips and kissed him
afteCtedIy.
I'm glad I've seen YER said Riddles sweet
heart. Cheer up. old gal I amt much 20 look
at to keer fer 5ut''-
is this the place." demanded a mans voice