Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-11-13

the woman who was waiting In the
outer office that unfortunately con-
tributlon could not be spared today
II was 8 o'clock In the afternoon, the
lamps were lii, the streets were IN;
stinct with life, the air was keen. And
so he buttoned his overcoat, put 81 in
loose change In one Of his pockets,
and putting on his hat and gloves. he
walked into the street.
A little girl with a shawl pinned
over her head. with dress whose
scanty. knee high length showed
pair Of pitifully thin legs-a girl with
half fed expression and q general
uncared for look-called out In plain
tive voice: Matches, sir? Two boxes
for cents"
He stopped and, giving her . cents,
took the two boxes of matches.
"Do you keep all you maker
"No. | only keep half. Mrs. Johnson
gets the other half"
who's Mrs. Johnson?,
"The lady | lives with
The man dlved down into his pocket
and fished up a dime. Here's 10
cents extra for you, mind-not for
Mrs, Johnson,
"Oh, can't do that" answered the
little girl. You see me mother tole
me afore she died that no matter how
J was tempted that ! should keep
honest. And then Mrs. Johnson start
Ell me IN business-she bought the
matches for me. III have 10 give her
half. II wouldn't be right, you know,
10 keep II all"
That's true" said the man quickly.
Here's 10 cents for Mrs. Johnson"
And there darted through bis mind the
thought that he, a man Of the world,
had learned lesson from little child
who sold matches.
And then, as he moved away and
said good night, he did something
strange for man Of the world TO do
he lifted his hat 10 the waif OF the
streets
do you want any pencils, sirT'
He turned TO the old woman-a kind
ly faced old woman, wrinkled, bent.
She carried little basket Oh her arm.
"Yes,' ne answered, Il did want
pencil. What else have you got
there"
She looked down in the basket TO
make quick inventory. Needles,
pins, soap, pencils, darning cotton,
shoestrings,- hatplns backing, combs,
matches and toothbrushes."
well, give me pencil, box of
matches and a needle"
"A needlef" she said, smiling up at
him. Why, bless your heart, sir, !
don't sell single needles. Nobody does.
You buy 'em by the paper"
All" he said refectively, Il guess
you'd better give me toothbrush
then"
"That makes 20 cents altogether"
she said.
He gave her 20 cents and was about
TO move away after she had thanked
him when suddenly he bethought him
to ask her how old she was.
Sixty -four on the Sd Of April next"
she said
"Sixty-four.p he said thoughtfuIly,
"and no one to take care OF youf'
r'Oh, yes. indeed, there Is" she an
swered brightly. MY husband only
do this 70 keep out of mischief. You
see. he's night Waterman. Goes on
at 4 o'clock In the afternoon and stays
on until In the morning. don't
know what TO do with myself, so | go
around the street selling these things
SO as to keep from being lonely. pay
the rent every month just from these
little things she added proudly.
He looked at her half pityingly, half
admiringly. Then he asked But what
do you do at IL O'Clock at night?"
"Why, you see, John Is Waterman in
a big place on Delaware avenue, and
every night at IL o'clock | go down
there with supper for him. for the
mans hungry by that time And
stay with him talking until 2 o'clock
In the morning. for you see that's the
only time we have TO see each other
and have long talks. He's been there
twenty-five years, and haven't missed
a night, Sundays and week days. from
seeing him. rain or shine. heat or
cold"
"And how long have you been mar
rledy'
"Since | was eighteen. sir. That's
pretty close on to forty-six years. she
added. smiling.
And for twenty-five years you have
gone down TO see him every night al
IL o'clock and have gone away at in
the morning2" The mans tone was in
oredulous.
Indeed have" she said proudly
For there's not another In the world
like him"
He helped her across the street
first because she was an old lady and.
secondly. because travel had congested
at that particular corner. And when
she babe him a CHEEKY good night he
lifted his hat and bowed low TO her
with a Difference and reverence that
were her due.
For she had loved the same man for
forty-six years,
Meek Husband-You ought 10 re
member. Henrietta. that you married
me for better or for worse. Wife
That's just Il. got fooled. You are
,affbor (.hfeopO Trlbffua