Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-11-10
THE MILLIoNAIRE's RARE CALLER.
How They Lunehed Together And the
Infant Found a Way Into the Old Mans
Heart.

How They Lunehed Together And the
Infant Found a Way Into the Old Mans
Heart.
NV. r.. Rose in the Cleveland Plain
Dealerl
He was a tall old man with slight
stoop and thin gray hair. His garments
were shiny with wear, the sleeves of his
coat being fairly slippery in their thread
bare state But there was little trace OF
the infirmities Of age in his strong fea-
lures and the sharp glance OF the gray
eyes beneath the shaggy brows. Those
sharp gray eyes turned toward the dingy
old clock over the dingy old mantel. II
was just noon. There was a door that
opened into the counting-room. and its
upper half was glass. Through this trans
parent medium the old man could keep a
watchful eye on his employees. 1t saved
sudden incursions into the outer room.
Those clerks and bookkeepers never knew
when the sleepless eye of the grim old
master was turned in their direction
There was no lettering or any other form
of relaxation in that busy counting-room.
From the clock the old mans gaze turn
ed to the door. The desks were deserted.
1t was the luncheon hour. He arose from
his creaky swivel chair and crossing the
room pulled down a shade that covered
the glass. Then he turned back to his
desk and producing a small parcel wrapped
in newspaper, opened 1t and disclosed
an apple and a few crackers. He spread
them out on the paper and fell to munch-
ing them. He was gnawing at the apple
when a light rap at the counting room
door drew his attention. At first he was
inclined to believe that his ears had de-
ceived him. Then the rap came again
rat, tat, tat.
In he cd
nothing suggestive of hospitality in the
peremptory tone. Come in"
A hand fumbed with the knob and
then the door swung open. A child was
standing on the threshold. a little girl
with sunny curls and a dainty pink frock.
How do you do?" said the astonishing
vision. Are you pretty well? So am /,
thank you" And she made him little
bobbing curtsey and threw him fascinat-
ing smile.
Where did you come from?" growled
the old man.
Il coined from out here" replied the
little maid, II peeked through the glass
under the curtain an l saw you" She
laughed merrily. AN ! thought you was
a big ogre eating all by yourself You
don't eat little girls, do yop?"
He yielded for moment to the witch
cry OF her smile. mot when they are
good little girls" he gruffiy said.
The child laughed merrily.
"Yous a splendid ogre" she cried and
clapped her hands. Much better'n papa
What's you eatin'?"
He hastily pushed the crackers and the
remains of the apple aside.
my luncheon" he answered. But you
haven't told me where you came from"
He was surprised at himself for show
ing this interest in the child. II coined
down to see papa" she answered.
Mamma brought an left me here cause
she's goin' shoppin' an there's fierce
crowds an little girls might get hurt.
An / brought papa's lunch an mamma
will call for me. An I'm to keep awful
still, cause the man papa works for is
very, very cross an he can't bear to have
children round"
Whats that?" snapped the old man.
The child laughed again. do 1t again."
she cried. 81 amt a bit afraid of you.
I know it's all just make believe. Please
can't l come I'm a wee bit further?"
Come in If you want to-" said the old
man a little ungraciously.
She smiled as she slowly advanced 1T
always pays to be polite" she said.
That's what mamma tells me. II had
said, can ! come in, without any please,
you might of said we don't want no little
girls around here today-they're such a
nuisance. An besides, was a little tired
Of stayin out there all alone Cause, you
see, papa had to go to the custom house
bout somethin perticlSler. an I'm most
sure heard big rat under the desk