Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1906-12-13

ptettlest little woman | ever saw bade
me good evening
why, er-er-is-' began, and
lo'n' on the square, just couldn't get
my farther ! looked at the woman.
ana she stood patiently waiting; just
me iaintest trace OF smile at my en-
oafFassment Finally. in sheer desper-
alton, ! blnrted out:
is Mary heree'
on, this Is Mr., Simmons. Come
right In; I'm so and get her, was the
answer ! received, And she knew me.
old fellow, knew me and called me by
name Well, was in for il then, and
my nerve came back. | followed in
after her and when she left me stand
ing In the little parlor wondered what
would come next
You know, old pal, somehow had
sneaking feeling all along that some
OF the boys had put up a little job on
me; but when that little woman. with
her sweet smile, said she would go and
get Mary | knew It was me for the Kid
sure And you ought TO have seen me
shiyer a moment after she left me,
when the laughter OF a crowd OF chill
dren al play came dimly TO my ears.
Tom, you are father and | suppose
you know how IL sounds: suppose
that for you II has different meaning.
something infinitely sweet and all
mat, but for me-yOur stald. old bach
elor friend-as stood there in that lit
tie room, well, II just seemed TO me
that In about two minutes ia be the
head OF a ready-made family or I'd
jump through the window and let the
insane commissioners do their worst.
shortly | heard steps In the hall
way and the lisping question OF a
child. and Tom-Tom, you know how
II used 10 make you feel when your
father came after you with a switch
and you stood waiting. wanting to run
and afraid lowell. old man, that's
inst the way | felt. Then the woman
came in and she brought with her the
sweeteet child have ever seen-a pref
~ little girl. seven years old. II was
all up with me. had never thought
the child really lived; that II was all
blum; but when confronted by her
living presence | wilted And as the
woman came toward me she said:
Mr.. Simmons, We conduct the
Home for Little Wanderers-an or
phanage-an independent institution
that looks to the individual charity of
the people for its support. We thought
that the bachelors in the city, being. OF
course, without children themselves.
ought to support at least one child
apiece; so we secured the names of all
the bachelors and assigned each one a
child. Mary was assigned to you. Now
you see how | knew your name when
you asked for her.
Now. Mr. Simmons, you'll see that
Mary receives better treatment, won't
you-you'll be a sort of foster father to
her? And you're not one bit mad, are
your
TON, what would you have done II
you were in my place then? That's 1t,
old sport; that's It exactly, and that is
just the very thing did. was beaten
at new game, aud smiled in spite of
myself 1t was all so simple, so very
simple, that | forgot all the worry of
three days as | laid couple of tens in
the matron's hand and told her to look
for a check each month for Mary.
And Tom, would you believe it, that
kid Just rushed up to me, threw her
little arms about my neck and kissed
me. You know what it is to have little
girls kiss you-you're father.
didn't then, and | guess | must have
showed It, for the least little laugh es-
capped the matron. There was some
thing about it that had never known
before-just a tinge of heaven, | sup
pose | felt so queer; there was lump
in my throat-ah, well, Tom, there's no
use telling you-you know.
Here, light another cigar"