River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1906-02-08
manner, as he wrjggieg IN to q stool
and spun his nickel on the counter
"XVhnro,c va,,r Do;l co,uv0,t

manner, as he wrjggieg on to stool
and spun his nickel on the counter
Where's your pail, sonny?"
Bob regarded the clerk in oper
mouthed CONSERVATION. In his flash
Of inspiration this small detail had
escaped him. What could he dof
F.eckles and Theodore were both in
the Grotto, so that he could. not &C
there now, and there was no time to
be lost. for in half an hour he would
have to start downtown after his pa
pers.
Perhaps" said the clerk, chuckling
over his own wit, you'd like me tc
pour the milk straight into your
pockets?"
"Couldn't-couldn't you loan me
something's" stammered the embar.
raised Bob. "Td bring it back in ten
minutes-honest."
A peal of laughter filled the little
shop. "You don't catch old dogs with
puppy tricks! I've loaned things to
kids before. No, sir, you won't get a
drop of milk from this establishment
until you run home and fetch your
pail"
Bob slowly descended from his
stool. "Then it's off," he sighed. 81
can't"
Say" interrupted the clerk, actu-
ated partly by his business keenness
for trade, partly by the disappointed
expression on the youngsters face,
eve got one of the finest tin pans
you ever see. Your ma can have it
for milk, fry her meat in it, and use
it for a wash-basin between times.
It's worth every bit of ten cents, but
folks have their notions about a pan
being smooth and sleek, and because
OF this here little bump in it's back
that don't amount to hill of beans,
I'll let you have it long with the milk
for Your nickel. Is it a go, kid?"
Bob hesitated. A vision OF Mary
Ann in all the beauty of her red pig
tails tied with pink tape and her dear
freckled face, with it's laughing brown
eyes and scornful little nose, seemed
to shine before him in a sort of golden
haze. Then suddenly plaintive cry
rang In his ears and he forgot Mary
Ann; forgot his own prosperous con.
dition as member of the gang living
like swell in a fine cellar; remem-
bered only a starved little alley cat
and a starved street urchin who, none
too long ago, so often went without
food for days.
Bob wriggled on to the stool again
cts a go!" he announced, emphat
ically. /
Bob stood grinning down at the hap
py alley cat tapping the last drop Of
milk.
"Been having the time of your life,
Kit?" he asked, with chuckle.
Before the kitten could answer
shrill: Hello, Bob!" fioated over his
shoulder.
He turned with start, and gazed
at Mary Ann.
"Where did you get, the milk?" she
asked.
Grocery" concisely replied the boy.
"Buy it with your own money!"
Bob nodded.
az Ilke-cats," murmured Mary Ann,
for some strange reason bashfully
hanging her head.
The crimson leaped from Bob's chin
to his dirty little forehead. "Then per
haps-perhaps," he excitedly faltered,
you'll let me give you the kitten for
fora valentine?"
s'You mean it-honest?"
For his answer Bob gently lifted up
the little alley cat and lovingly placed
it in Mary AIMS eager, outstretched
arms.
"Wait a minute--that amt all" said
Bob, his voice quivering with pride.
I'm a-going to give you the pan, too.
Mary Ann. "-Philadelphia Press