The San Francisco call., 1905-05-28
T11E SUNDAY CALLS sou = WEEII[ pRIZE
TORY.

crazy
1--we viii soon take her out. Johnnie.
and reward her for being so kind to
you"
..Rut won't she be happyr' The pale
face again lit up with joy as the true
Christian soul was seeing way clear IN
belnin~ others. and everything looked
bright to him once more
Mrs Benson meanwhile was busy pre-
paripr the frugal meal. but pride.
prompted again BY the strong heart sne
said. as Mr. Benson appeared In the
kitchen: I've have scarcely anything IN
the house to eat since Johnnie has been
unable to do the shopping. III leave you
to keep house till I get back.
She felt the awful pain Of destituton.
but must hide it for her husbands sake.
There was only one means to raise money
to pawn her wedding Etng. she wouio
make this sacrifice. Uncle John must
not know all she thought. Mr. Benson
felt deeper and deeper the effect OF the
words he deemed brothers duty 70 ex-
press. Jennie. let me take Johnnie's
place in doing the errands." he said TO
comfort and help my brothers children
is all the hope there remains in lie Tor
me ard permit me. at least, my duty.
have hoped to spend the remainder OF
my bachelorhood with you. Believing
you TO be IN Cotton. as Alfred did not
mention the departure in his letter. was
on my way to visit you and stopped over
here on business. Poor Mrs. Stanton had
lust returned from the funeral, be-
lieve. and 1 heard her sing. had not
forgotten the notes that once told me
there was more in life than despair, and
though instinctively convinced as to her
identity, the complete change in her ap-
pearanee made 1t seem most improbable.
i could see no traces of resemblance TO
the once beautiful girl 1 beheId in the
choir IN Grace Church. Jennie. 1t is this
poor, crazy woman who has again guided
me- else had not found YOU"
she hcs watched like a guardian
angel over my Johnnie and she related.
loves him as her own, since he protected
her from the insults of a crowd Of rough
boys and waded in to get her ball OF
knitting wool which they had thrown into
the mud, and with which she was hop
ing to earn a few pennies for bread.
What a pity that her once beautiful life
was made sacrifice Of" she said. TAX
ing up little Jennie. and the tears rolled
down her pale cheeks. The anxious
mother fastened, tiptoe, and asking John
IL he wished anything, she leaned forward
and kissed him. Il viii return in a few
minutes" said Mr.. Benson as he opened
the door and was taking his best oppOr-
ttuity TO do the act OF love. Hurry.
Encle joint" the child voice called The
heart-broken relative gave vent for the
first time. to his own grief. but found
strength in the responsibility of the be-
reayed and helpless. The sensitiveness
from his own refinement planned the deli
cate means OF bringing the necessaries OF
life to the table of the poor. The little
invalid showed such Improvement that
the mother. encouraged and hopeful. in
turn produced the marked effect upon his
spirits. Johnnie's 5. expressed wish that the
dining table be set by his bedside was
being fulfilled when Mr. Benson returned
with the provisions. Jennies eyes grew
large as the full-blown bIuebell and be-
gan to show inclinations toward congeni-
ality Mrs. Benson was soon preparing
the dinner while Uncle John interested
the eager listeners with bright stories.
A different spirit lowered over the sor-
row-burdened family as they sat down
to partake of the plain but plenteous
feast while johnnie was being served
first God has sent you to us to cheer
US, Uncle John! l wish poor Sal would
come now, wouldn't she enjoy this?'
I'VE will invite her when she comes.
Johnnie" said Mr.. Benson, sanctioning
the open-hearted invitation to his help
mate. A little later was heard a knock at
the door and Johnnie's prayers were an
swered. for there stood Sal.
The happy expression on the drawn,
sallow face came like the morning sun
light into the sickroOm and told her
extreme Joy at the sudden and fortu-
nate tide of affairs. Oh. you've come.
Sal.'. said Johnnie. with the fullness OF
delight: while the unanimous and COR
dial invitation showed in ~sit right
down and join u.s. Sal first stepped
to Johns bedside and placed in the
little white hand the months salary
in full. To the young mind it was.
like striking a bonanza. SAL. we will
buy our own cows some day, won't we?
You take, some Of this" he said. ofrer-
ing generously; but her scrawny. claw
like hand closed the filled hand OF the
receiver Then she moved to sit down
to the table Sal seemed the happiest
woman in the world What feast she
thought. My. this tastes awful good.
because I can eat with you. Johnnie.
You must stay. Sal; we want you here
always" said John. Il can take the
best care of you. Johnnie she re-
turned. looking sympathetically at him.
YES. you win be needed to help wait
on Johnnie. Mrs. Stanton" enjoined Mr..
Benson with his usual tender dlscre-
tion. simultaneously planning for her
a home for the remainder of her life.
=, 'Eut / have to report" she said. and
her eyes moistened at the paMing re-
fection of the poorhouse- Il will at
tend to that. Mrs Stanton" intercepted
MIR. Benson modestly. yet proudest at
\ heart TO show this act OF gratitude
Now. you can't back out, Sal" con-
{ cluded John as Mr.. Benson picked up
his hat and left the house.