Middletown transcript., 1904-12-24

shy; clearly the child was no beggar
| though louhtle.s he was very poor; hi
had even certain air uf distinction, pc
culiar ii. it 50 med un,ler the circtm
stances, an ! his manner suggested a child
| islh refinement that dismissed any idea o
the gruff rebuke Lewis wonld ordinarily
have found quickly on his lips. Besides,
Lewis reflected, he had begun the con
versation. 20 he must close it gracefully
and go oil with his errand.
| ',fiow would yon like to have that
train?" said Lewis finally, shifting from
one foot to the other, like bashful school
boy.
| A long in-drawu breath and slight
| mistine-s in the boys eyes was the only
answer
A sudden glean of real kindliness
struck Lewis Perhaps it was faint rec
objection of his own toy-less overcoatless
chiIdhood. "Come inside" he said,
s.Maybe there's something in there that
youd like.
The boy now lnnked at him with brim-
ming eyes, but quickly recollected him
self, and answered in quantity grave,
but very polite, way: "Oh! thank you
very much, but mamma | couldn't
take anything-realkn n'
Smetling made Lewis cough little,
l~,,k L. T. =,
attempt at gruffness. Gomez he said
comniandingly; then in gentler tone.
"You can make believe that Pm your old
uncle, you know; besides, want your ad-
vice; I'm going to get some toys for nep-
hew OF mine who'is just your age and
you'll Il know what would suit him." And
without waiting for the boy to gather his
scattered forces. Lewis took him by the
hand and in they went.
Lewis had intended to stay just two
minutes in the shop; he finished by
spending almost two hours there. When
he got through he was smiling like
boy himself; his hat was jammed down
over one ear; his coat pockets were crani-
med full of little bundles, and in front of
him, on the counter, was pile of toys
that almost entirely hid the nervous
little Jones, who was counting up the
bill on sheet of paper a foot long.
''Now," said Lewis, 81 owe you for an
afternoons fun such as | never had in
my life and I'm going to be your uncle
long enough to get square with you.
Where shall send the packages?''
pointing to Il large section of the pile.
The chiId's eyes once more became
misty and this time there were evidences
that real tears were not SO far away.
sob, can't take then." he said. 81
really can't mamma would never forgive
me-" and he looked unutterable longing,
even as he spoke so brayely.
"Rubbishr' said Lewis, still smiling
as radiantly as old Santa Claus himself.
"Jones. let boy call cab, will you, and
send these things out to it. Now he
turned to HIS little companion. 1--WE
are going to take ride; first we'll de-
liver these packages for my nephews,
and then we'll go see your mamma.
Maybe shell let me play uncle after all.
We'll ask her just as nicely as We oan."
Youth and inexperience could frame no |
denial for such logic and away the two
went. And old Mr.. Smith, on his way
home, stopped to look at a coupe that
was driven slowly through the crowded
street, took another look at the two laugh
ing faces just showing behind huge
rampant Of boxes and packages; took off
his glasses and looked again, aud stood
gaping, quite oblivious of the passers-by,
calculating softly: Good gracious!
Good graciousn'
En- identity Mrs. Carruthers was unabIe |
to resist Lewis appeal to be allowed to
play "uncle" to Robert, for an hour later
Lewis was seen emerging from small
house not many miles away; he seemed
in extremely good spirits, he hadn't
bundle left, and, most remar kable of all,