Smyrna times., 1906-05-30
Blossoms
Little Pal
Ey Ethel harrington
Copyright, 1906, bB E. C. Parcels

/
summed companiOnship, his small an
nuity sufficing for cheap lodging and
meals at a neighboring restaurant. It
was terrible beyond expression to be
blind, to be dragged back to life when
the fever had 50 denuded him. Exist
ence was barren. useless. homeless and
when he prayed it was for death.
One day, tripping as he climbed the
stairs. he felt the help of baby hands.
You counted wrong" reproved a |
childish voice. Il did t'uver night in |
the dark"
whats yOur name?" he demanded
shortly.
Dora. Who's yOu?"
John Blossom
pretty name. Bend down." Then
whispering in his ear, Il shall call you
Blossom" she scampered away, sing
ing back mischievously. blossom
BLOSSOM"
1t was week before they met again.
The mans mood was desperate. "'You
is frOwnin' awful, Blossom" pped the
shrill voice. -'but you can't frighten
me-"
IF you are not scared come and talk
| to me a Bit
'Muver don't low me in dodgers
rooms" Blossom felt the rebuff, and,
| reaching the top floor, stumbled into
his room and slammed the door Seat
ed on his cot be clinched his hands in
| the agony of his helplessness.
Come" he cried sharply in answer
to a timid rap, whereat some one en-
tered, whom he could not recognize.
'"What is it?' he half shouted, his
nerves strained TO the point of frenzy.
"Just me, Blossom. Muver says you
is exceptions" Then in the silence the
child's eyes roved over the room and
lighted on the table Uttered with pa
pers. Does you writer Her tone be-
tOkened interest. Blossoms hands
moved aimlessly- Write, write?
That's precisely what 1 can't do, curse
it!' There before him lay the work
begun in pride and hope, now shatter-
ed by darkness worse than death. He
was recalled to the present by the
pressure of small arms resting on his
knees as the child looked up into his
,despairing face.
Poor dear! she sympathized in an
old fashioned manner.
Its dark, DOra-never any light
That's why | cannot write" His voice
broke with half sob.
I'm dreadful sorry. Let me do il
fer you. print now. and learn fast
See if don't" She tossed the papers
aside and climbed into chair, sucking
loudly at the pencil to make it black
What viii we write, Blossom" Re
ceiving no answer. she looked up. He
companions head was pillowed on hi
, arms. His shoulders heaved. Could ;
man cry even as she sometimes did
Dora scrambled to her feet and hur
ried from the room, to return a few
, minutes later flushed and breathIess.
Here's Miss Arabella" she cried
thrusting a doll into the mans hands
when | get cryin' | just hold he
= tight. She comforts lots. Muvers cal
ing. Hold Arabella close. Blossom"
= The doll became the first link in
d, strange friendship, which grew viii
years. For fhe child's amusemen
= Blossom brought wonderful tales Ou
of the storehOuse of his imagination
frequently in verse that be strung t.
gether during wakeful hours of th
night. Dora listened and remembered
AS she had said. she learned fast. Sh
rs was barely twelve when she recalle
< her promise. 81 write truly now. TIE
me what to write"
Blossom smiled sadly. declaring th
desire dead, but she insisted and coa1
rs ed until he yielded. repeating some
= the phrasings that haunted him, an
s, the dormant passion revived. 1t wa
new birth to the man, and the girl b.
te came his eyes. as the gift that ha
been smothered in darkness and unce
tainty suddenly developed, and the po
came into his own. In time ''our poe
ry." as Dora called It, verses with e.
0uisite rhythm, in round childish cI
rography, found their way into editor
hands ard caused comment.
So the years passed, and Blosso
| counted each anniversary as 1t cam
. "Fifteen today" he said ON one o
casiOn. signing heavily. Il wish
/ cOuil see gOu OtlNt JN'N C~AN~'
Dora raised her head from copyin
II was unusual TOR Blossom to chat .
? fore the dctatiOn was complete
- "How do you look?" continued I
blind man. directing his sightless ga
toward her.
. "Yhose decision shall / render
( Dora laughed deliciously Moth
.ave .hig Girl, Aunt Helen 'gawk
but Tom insists pretty
"Of course Tom is right. Well, he
e NV remembrance" Fumbling in
nocISet. he brought out a little ca
: disclosing a gold locket with a d
! mond set in. its heart shape.
ooh Blossom, how lovely But wi
ovtrovarance. You can't afford 1t"
"you mistake. have more mon
than need, little pal"
Tor n-,. ,,t,i clfnnqd the slender cu;