Los Angeles herald., 1905-04-23
LITTLE ACORN'S
EASTER RABBIT
BY Robert NJ. Yost

bTdndtn, as ne paused IN tne nld0le OF
the preparation of his Easter sermon,
II had forgotten to call upon that old
lady who was here last week with
request for a pastoral visitation. You
remember her, Mary?' he said to his
wife: "a sweet-faced woman with sor-
row sd care distinctly marked in every
feature"
81 remember" responded Mrs. Gra-
ham. "said she had a household of
children and appeared to be in financial
as we'll as other Distress but she didn't
mention It,"
Let me see," mused the rector glanc-
ing at his small, gilt edged notebook.
"Yes, here's the name-Mrs. Virginia
Waters No. - Cass avenue. Well, well
The poor we have always with us; but
--why-er-we were poor ourselves once,
Mary, and I'm like Abraham Lincoln IN
believing that the good Lord has a
special fondness for that sort of people,
or there wouldn't be so many Of them"
Then the loved and lovable rector Of
st. James removed his eye glasses, laid
away his unfinished Easter sermon, or
dered his carriage brought around In
front and was shortly driven away. He
was distinguished looking man-tall
well framed and with kindly eyes that
softened the severity of his features
He had come to st. Louis from the
south after the war closed, and 1t was
kDpxr,1 Tint ba boI eoat1 aotiua ear1,ioa
as a soldier in the Confederate army
His bronzed face, his snow-white hair
and the dignity of his walk and poses
showed the military blood in his veins.
But he rarely referred to the awful
strife in which he had been an humble
participant. His rectorship was a thing
apart from all considerations of the
past, and when he turned to secular
facts conditions and duties, it was with
hand so strong, voice so cheerful
and happy and a purse so open that his !
popularity grew until men forgot his |
eloquence as a priest in admiration of
his greatness as a man.
The rector was not long in reaching |
his destination on Cass avenue. He en-
countered some difficulties, however in |
precisely locating the home of Mrs. |
Waters. There were so many children |
in evidence on the pavement so many |
young and slatternly and weary misses, |
slow of information and thought, that
discovered that the family he sought |
had their habitation in the rear of the |
building and were only to be reached |
by means of a passageway, redolent o. !
soapsuds, frying bacon and the odors
arising from unkempt alleyways aud |
neglected courts.
DR.. Graham did not hesitate, but
pressed forward, kindly enough, until
he arrived at the bottom of a series of
three starways. all leading by in
crowded rooms. above. He took the |
wrong stairs. of course, and was has
tened down by vicious dog. His next
effort was successful, and he knocked |
loudly on the door. II could see, in the |
one window of the place. little jar of
geranium. whose red petals were drop
ping away, despite the attention which
had been bestowed upon it. He had
time to observe, also. that the windows
We're clean and clear and that some
thing resembling a mat was beneath
his feet.
The door was opened finally to the ex-
tent of about three inches and child
ish voice framed itself into the simple
inquiry:
"Well?"
"Is this where Mrs. Waters resides?"
"Yes, sir"
"Is she at home?'
mo, sir; she's gone over to Locust
street to do a days washing
"Are you her little girl?'
"Yes. sir; and If you won't mind the
baby's crying you might come in AMI
wait a while. Maybe ma will be back
pretty soon."
The rector pushed open the door and
strode in. The baby ceased crying as
It's blue eyes stared at the intruder. The
child who had responded to the rector's
knock politely offered chair and stood
In an expectant attitude. In one corner
sat a little girl of not more than years,
who had plainly been indulging in tears.
But the room, with all it's evidences of
extreme poverty. appeared to Dr. Gra-
ham scrupulously neat
"Well" said DIR. Graham, addressing
The oldest, what is your name?"
Jennie she answered him, simply.
do you keep house?"
Eyes, sir; / am only 10, but ma says
I'm plenty big enough to sweep and
straighten things around while she's
away, but it's pretty hard sometimes to
10 all that and take care of the baby.
And wouldn't mind the baby so much
Il it wasn't for little Acorns here. She
won't do what l tell her. cause she
thinks 1 got no right to be boss when
mas out"
"Acorns is a queer name for girl.
Where did she get it?"
Jennia'a sad facn raIayad into Gonna.