Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1904-01-09

Ell E-in was SITTING ut his Stuul
au.e. surrounded by antique looking
sreek testaments. lexicons and manu-
Icript folios. trying 10 reason his way
through knotty point of church doe
rine. while. in the wide seat of the
ow window beyond, just on level
With the street. two little girls Of
light and ten were curled up like
plump white kittens of larger growth
.hattering ON the respective merits of
colony of staring dolls.
Meta Brewsford. the younger, was as
,air as a spring anemone. with floating
,urls of silky gold. and blue. glitterins
yes; while her cousin. Eloise. WAS
barker and more gypsy like in her
childish beauty. given, moreover. 10
aging down the law TO Meta. and TAX
ny every possible advantage of her
Two years of seniority.
You see. Meta" she gravely com
nenced. Il am older than you. and
Hush wild you clatterin'. childher."
corrected Bridget. who had just come
n TO lay the table for lunch. for it WAS
N the sunny dining room where Mr..
people to play. since Mrs. Brewsford's
Heath had somehow thrown gloom
over the rest of the house. "Sorra bit
-FOUR poor papa can write an YOU Il
suzzin' there like hive o bees in
swarmin time
Meta was just looking M 10 remon-
Itrate. when sunbrowned, swarthy
Gaf IN 1hp
plate glass window that overlooked the
street. and hoarse voice pleaded:
please. miss, give n poor boy piece
,. bread:"
Meta started back with little cry
IS the big. black eyes. glittering with
restless. uncertain light, met hers-the
syes of n boy about eleven. whose rags
scarcely chung TO his 1.-THE. supple figure
and who carried basket on one arm.
'Get along wild ye" cried Bridget.
shaking her fist at the apparition on
the other side of the window. "or I'll
:all policeman. that l will
But Metals soft little heart relented.
Slipping down from her temporary
throne on the window seat she ran 10
aer fathers side.
Papa. it's poor boy. and he looks
20 hungry; can't | give him piece of
bread? Say. papa. can call him in:'
"Call him i'm. indeed" echoed Eloise.
saughtily. why. uncle. he's as dirty
rs a charcoal man. but its Just like
Meta.'
Mr.. Brewsford, slowly struggling out
u the misty realms of dead and gone
centuries. looked hopelessly from one
y the other of the little speakers.
who is dirty? What is il that you
want. Meta:'
And then. aroused to sense OF wha /
was Transporting around him. he said:
Certainly. OF course. Open the door.
Bridget. and call the poor boy in
And Johnny Piper, summoned by the
unwilling Bridget. skunk into the
pom. like a young pariah as he was.
staring around him. while Eloise
started back. gathering her dainty
silken skirts around her as If there
we're pollution in the very air she
sreathed.
Keep away from me. you dirty
boy" she said, while Meta ran to pile
mndry slices OF bread in his basket.
Papa, can give him an APPLE" she
pleaded.
Meta. don't" warned Eloise. There
are only three red aples for lunch
HE can have mine. don't want it.
would much rather he should eat II.
Here. boy. is a red apple. and"
But shrill cutlery from Bridget
checked her in her half-uttered speech.
Did We ever see the likes o that.
nasther. dear: See now. it's the silver
Sen away undher the rags o him. and
rs putin the bread in his mouth. the
sngrateful spalpeen"
Il told you So complacently enun-
dated Eloise
1t was too true; the juvenile cul9rit,
taught in the very act. had no word of
lefense 10 plead rs he stood with
iown-hanging head. while Bridget
iourished aloft the silver fork she lad
pulled from one OF his ragged coat
pockets.
''Masther. will call the police" she
demanded, triumphantly.
But Meta began TO cry.
Papa, papa, don't send him 20 Jail
se's so little" she pleaded.
It'll he good for him. the murdherin
roung thafe.' cried Bridget
ITS just what he deserves said
Eloise. While the hoy himself broke
INTO an unmelodiOus howl as hc
screwed his dirty knuckles into tie
,ockets of his eyes.
boy. come here" said Mr. Brcws-
.ord. gravely. What did you steal
hat fork for:'
Wanted 10 sell ii to Old Joe. in
Chatham street." blubbered the youth,
iul criminal.
What would you have done with the
money!
Bought marbles. an tafTy.''
How much would he have paid you
Cor it,"
"a dime
The poor boy has no idea OF the
salue of what he has stolen.' said the
minister. pitylngly. What is your
came. child?"
s'John Piper"
well. John. don't you know II is
sery wrong to steal:"
..No-o-o. sir"