The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-11-23

day" said little Bert to his twin sister Binnie. An we. ain't got nnothin to DC thankful for as know of. ot..,.,u. heeore then" suggested Binnie, ever or thoughtful and hopeful mind. Mayps a good fairy will bring us some cake ah turkey for our dinner. Who knows!
 "Ain't no such things as fairies, en- phatically declared Bert. speaking wlth q sheer at Binnies credulity: s,a
 Binnie sat silent, not daring to d,ao no pute with her brother, who, though no older than herself ever took the leao' and when once he had spoken hls opln- ion the matter was settled, so Iar as they two were concerned. But Blnhie did not entertain the slightest doubt in her mind of the existence Of fairles' Bert to the contrary notwithstanding.
 Their mother went out as nurse tQ sick people through the day and Bert and Binnie attended the public school m the forenoons and kept the two-roomed house they called home in the altef. moons. Their play corner was behln99 the old cook stove in which slumbered just enough fire to keep the room from being cold. Their mother put, in the coals and fixed the Hampers each morn ing before leaving.
 In this play corner Bert had toy cart without a tongue and short wheel a rusted tin sword, much twisted and scared. and few empty spool ana cigar boxes. Binnie's playthings con ,II- sisted of a soiled rag doll, scantily dressed, a little flat-iron and some. bits of broken china that served as dlsnes for, the. play dinners she gave |, to - her nelr dolly. It was one of these play dinners that brought to Bert's mind the recollec- ton of the quickly approaching Thanks- giving Day. The teacher had told them that morning of it and had said that Thursday would be a holiday for them all.
 But of what good was a holiday to Bert and Binnie. who would nave 10 tn, Nl 1 nal corner just as they did on ordinary days? They would have no fine dinner nor the matinee in the afternoon, as so many children would have. They were too poor Thus it was Bert argued to himself Even their mamma would not be at home with them for sick people stayed sick. if 1t was Thanl<sgiving Day. Just now she was nursing a little boy, Bert's own age, who was very, very Ill. and their mamma had said she feared he would not get well. But why, why, indeed, should he not get well? His father and mother were rich and the child had everything he wished for; he could go driving in the park in the morning and attend the matinee when clothes were of finest velvet and lace. Their mamma had told them so.
 Then, why should he be sick? Or, if sick, why should he not get well! .,
 he said to Binnie, as he shaped a wheel for his cart from bit of ,pasteboard; It'd be awful nice to be rich; sick" ventured Binnie. divining her brothers thoughts. Even if you was rich" -
 sick. declared Bert. "If 1t was just my little finger.Y
 But you wouldn't want your little finger to dle." said Binnie. "Then 1t would come off"
 Huh; If a feller is rich he don't need RFaoF PaFf n maybe, 1t wouldn't be my finger-just my little toe then it wouldn't matter for I'd wear fine fine shoes all the time and hide the place where it eomed off I do now not if was rich"
 "Mercyi I'd hate drefful to wear shoes when it's hot" vowed Binnie shaking her fiaxen curls. Even if l was ricf | I'd want to go barefooted; it's such fur to wiggle your toes in the sand an wade | in water. Goodness couldn't beai 1 shoes in summer, I couldn't"
 Just then the door opened quietly and the childrep's mother entered the room l something unusual at this time or day l for it was only 2 o'clock.
 Bert and Binnie ran to greet her ana l question her early return. She laid of her wraps and warmed her hands at thu stove The children noticed that he 1 eyes were red from weeping. They bot l remembered that her eyes looked so fo 1 long, long time after their father died
 "The little boy is dead" their mother said in low, sad voice Tine dear ht tie soul passe1 away this morning
 "Oh-hi' exclaimed Binnie,. sorrow fully; but Bert remained silent ant thoughtful.
 Their mother sat down near, the flr' and they stood, one at , either % slde' ,vay clOs' l she began. ''When the little. fellow, whose name was Willie-was born, hl' mother, being, society woman, turhe' The | him over to the care of a nurse Ina the baby might not disturb her at nigh, this nurse doped the innocent nttl' thing with medicine to make him sieel l all the time. This not only hurt hli | mind and stunted his body, but caused him to fall ill When the doctor dis covered the cause of the sickness tn, nurse was discharged and another on' hired to take her place The second sickness. which she was responsible for came on. You sec Willie was not { strong, vigorous boy. like. my littl' man." and she drew Bert close In he not stand exposure. A week ago hi nurse took him to the park to Jet hin sail his toy boat in the lake Leavini the child to play by the water she tool herself off quite away to sit and gossil with some other nurses. Being so bus. | with her companions she forgot ne charge. who, in trying to reach the poa that, was sailing away rom nm l99 T95 l screams and the cries of several othe children who were playing near, brough n the neglectful nurse. who was arral' to jump in to rescue him, ana Wno se s, i LID a call for help By the time the pari policeman arrived the little fellow hat gone under twice. and was almost tl nea' when taken out of the cold water. Tha
 night pneumonia developed. and h. | never knew anyone after that. HI l mother now realizes her neglect of dut, to her child, and unless something hap pens to stop the terrible remorse sh is suffering she will lose her mind l Her srief is awful to witness. But he