The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1904-06-02
THE COMFORTING OF NATHAN.

1HE COMFOKIlNG On NATHAN.
Mrs. Sternberg's motherly heart was
troubled, writes Helen Lockwood
Coffin, in the Indianapolis Journal.
Nathan Godolski had been three days
in the Jewish Orphanage, and he had
not smiled once. She had picked him
up and held him in her capacious and
comforting lap time and time again;
he had been willing, but not enthusiast
tic. She had given him great big
slices Of rye bread and sugar; he ate
1t, but he did not smile. She had sent
him out to play with Norris and Jacob
and Isaac, and all her other little
charges; and he had run, and tagged -
and hid, as the others did; but he had
not smiled.
Come now" said Mrs. Sternberg to
him on the third day, 'you must to
tell me what there wrong is. You
must 70 have a glad on the whites
you're warm und fed, and got folks
to be lovin' NIT"
Nathan looked at her gravely. and
his lips quivered. 81 amt to got no
glads," he said. II want to go by mine
home"
Sure" said Mrs. Sternberg, "but
by me is your home now. You amt
to got no home now but by me-"
Eyes, ma'am," said Nathan dutifully.
but with his lips still quivering.
Mrs. Sternberg lifted him up into her
lap and held him close to her. She
explained that his father and mother
were dead, and that Nathan was to
''llve by her und be lovin' nit her."
But Nathan seemed not to understand.
Later she came running toward him
with a letter in her hand. Nathan!
Nathanr' she cried. "Come-we are to
go by the circus! All mine children
by mine houser'
Nathan listened YEARLY. 81 want to
go by home" he said for the hundredth
time.
"But think the whites on the circus!'
coaxed Mrs. Sternberg. 'There would
be elephant, und lion, und a camel.
und-'
Il was once by a circus,' INTERRUPTED
key, "und there was two effalunts
und-"
"Und always by circus there would
to be a clownr' added Morris.
But all this perspective bliss could
not bring smiles to Nathan.
1t was the gift of the man who
owned the circus, this chance of the
orphanage to see the "show," and he
himSalf namo ovor 10 rlxy 20 hoyx NJ.
Sternberg pilot her charges to the door.
Every part Of the circus was open to
to the boys, and never was there more
ardent admiration Or more fiery enthu-
siasm displayed by any sightseers. The
building fairly rang with shouts and
laughter. Nathan's was the only seri-
Gus, unhappy face. His grave eyes
beheld the wonders solemnly-no
strange animal. no human marvel. no
popcorn or pink lemonade could con-
quer his sorrow.
"Poor little lad! Poor little lad!
said their host, when Mrs. Sternberg
explained about Nathan. And when
the boys were taking their places ready
for viewing the performance, he
planned it SO that his seat and Nath-
ans were side by side. Then while
Nathan watched the rings he watched
Nathan. 1t was a small, understood
pincfed little boy he saw-a boy with
black, curly hair, with a small face
that was all eyes, and with eyes that
were all trouble. The host leaned over
and took Nathan's hand between his
two strong ones.
What bothers you, sonny?" he
asked.
II want to go by my home" said
Nathan.
When she heard his eager explana-
lions OF the crying needs Of the ''sick-
home dog. Mrs. Sternberg said: 4Sure,
she was all times by being dog-lover,
und Nathan could make the dog a
home by her."
So Nathan carried the woody bundle
home very carefully in the snuggest
corner Of his pocket The bundle ac-
cepted the situation with grace and
took a nap, and whenever its masters
fingers poked it gently to make sure
it was still there, the bundle writhed
with enthusiastic friendliness.
AN seew cried Nathan, when he put
Ris new possession ON the floor of the
orphanage hall, sit can to waggle it's
tail, all the same yet like big dogw
And when the Indispensable puppy
legs doubled up and sent their owner
SPRAYING, Nathan's laugh rang out
and set the rafters ringing. When she
heard 1t, Mother Sternberg said to her
self: There must to be all times
blessings by that baby dog"
Nathan fed it, and petted it, and
loved it. and wher he went to bed.
his dos went with him. Because" as