New-York tribune., 1905-04-23

His mother interrupted him with: Softly!
Your cousin Helen IS here"
At another time Howard would have ~
stopped for than a handshake with his n
cousin Helen, for whom his admiration knew
bounds. She occupied somewhat of the
position Of a fairy godmother in the Da Costa
family since It was through her that many
luxuries somehow were supplied which Cousin
Henrys struggling widow found beyond her
means, though Cousin Helen was not rich.
Furthermore. Howard had no sisters fact
which Went TO strengthen her influence over
him. But to-day he excited. Q
I'm not going to sing in that choir any
more he loudly announced. J0
Then l am sure l don't know where your
spring suit IS TO come from" observed
Howard's mother with aggravating cOmposure.
Mr.. Shaw has gone crazy!" he announced, still
more loudly.
What has he done?"
Taken a reformed boy into the choir 1t isn't
a joke, as his TWO hearers suddenly lost control
of the corners of their mouths
i suppose the choir needed that kind Of boys
from the specimen before me-" said Cousin Helen,
when she could speak
And his mother asked. What does a boy re-
form into.
Then Howard explained: Its that boy Mr.
Grance took TO raise, and Steve Grancel told me
he came out OF the reformatory House Of Refuge
or something I'm not going to sit and sing along
side Of a boy like that"
WHY. what a horrid little Pharisee YOU are!'
Cousin Helen did not often speak like this, and
Howard colored Poor boy!" she continued.
He can't be very old in wickedness, indeed very
wicked or NIr Grancell would not have him there
associating with Steve. Probably this IS ms first
chance in life and the companionship OF nice boys
and the religious surroundings will help him. What
is his name."
"Pidgy Foster Mr Shaw tried to make him
remember longer front name, but he said he
had been called anything else. One of the boys
called him Piggy, and / guess he wishes he hadn't
] shouldn't be surprised " virtuousy if the whole
choir got broken up with those fists of his.
Would an unreformed boy enjoy being called
Piggy: inquired Cousin Helen. How does he
sing"
We'll said Howard deliberately, hes to sing
the Easter solo instead Of me
Here was a bombshen indeed, and partial ex-
PLANTATION Of Howard's indignation. The boys
clear soprano voice had been in requision every
church festival and amateur concert IN the town
since he was out Of kilt skirts Its fame had spread
even into adjoining villages, and many an extra
dollar slipped into the family treasury by this
means AS Howard's voice might break at any
time now. he was anxious to make the best of his
opportunities. The reformed boy indeed might
prove a formidable rival. Still
81 don't believe he sings a bit better than my
bov" said Mrs Da Costa determinedly, and any
how ] won't have YOU disagreeable to the poor
child Suppose YOU had been brought up as he was,
with perhaps no father mother"
He's got both Of EN-. Drunk all the time
Cousin Helen sighed. Howard - she asked, do
any Of the Others know he IS from the reform
SCHOOL,"
Howard shook his head.
You would not tell them would YOU" she
went on persuasively You would not let him
begin his new life under the old cloud, and lay