Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-13

vt was after her dog died that Mrs.
Seymour-Loftls took up her work of
chlldren's charities. From the time
he was presented to her, fuzzy,
waddling little puppy. his mistress
made him the pivot around which she re-
volved the Lofts household from morning
until night Ko-ko must have his bath and
breakfast: Ko-ko must have his walk; he
must go in the carriage when she went 10
drive: he must appear when she had guests
he must sleep at night on his own little
pillow. well aired, and placed at the foot
of his mistress bed. Was he sick? He
was dosed and the doctor was called. Was
he cross? He was caressed and petted. In
short Mrs. SeymourLoftis, most agree
able and charming woman, in the lack or
other interests foolishly conferred the rou-
tine of her daily life in the existence of a
pampered, long-haired, weak-eyed little
terrier.
The dog in his grave, his mistress natu-
rally faced a sudden need of occupation,
and it happened that just at this period
some wise friend took her to visit the chill
dren's ward in a charity hospital. Mrs.
Seymour-Loft Immediately became inter-
ested She threw herself unreservedly into
the problem of raising money to enlarge
the work. She planned big bazaar and
held IL In neT own NOME, WHICH NSiS OAlC VI
the handsome houses of the city. She
realized a large amount of money for her
purpose and also a widespread reputation
for public and charitable spirit for herself.
Then Mrs. s5yymour-Loftis became quite
thoughtful She suddenly felt that this was
the first time she had put her prestige to
some real use, and 1t was IN this self
accusing mood that she opened letter
addressed to her from a small town not far
away.
Dear friend" it ran. II red about you
and your work in the papers. You must
be reel good to do so much. 1t IS because
l know you are good that l ask this favor.
l want to get a little orfun. We have no
children we want orfun to adop we want
"a girl not over ? yrs and not under l and
pritty. we are well off own the home
my man runs on the road. II and besides
our minister will tell you we are allrite. L
am so lonesome for a little girl around the
house will you pick one out for me then 1
will get pass and come and get her.
Yours TRULY
MRS. BILL MCINTYRE,
GAINESVILLE Ind"
Mrs Seymour-Lofts stared; her hand In
stinCtively sought her lorgnette-it was
little way she had whenever she felt her
dignity was menaced. Then suddenly she
smiled. that gracious smile of charity she
had learned to wear of late.
That afternoon she sent regrets to her
best friends tea. and. with sweetly right
eous feeling born of her new virtuous de-
parture in the practice of self-sacrifice. she
sat AT neT ltleDNOne anu pdlltilllJ
up every orphan asylum in the directory,
only to receive the same answer from all.
They had boys in plenty for adoption but
no girls of the desired age. Indeed, after
eXhausting her entire list of possibilities,
she learned there were only three little
girls of any age in that great city appar-
entity In need of a home, and these ranged
from six To eleven years.
Her husband found her at night wonder
fully interested in her new mission.
Il have shopped for out-of-town friends
often" she said to him. land have chosen
everything for them from flannels to false
hair. but think of being put to securing
other peoples children for them'
Keep at it he replied encouragingly.
There are plenty of children for the place
If you only knew how to find them. 1t will
be a good home for some youngster."
Wearily for several days thereafter his
wife haunted homes and hospitals, but al
ways with the same result. She learned
that little girls of a year and over were at
a premium There were many infants but
older ones found places of many months
standing waiting ahead for them when sent
in to be cared for by the charities The
lady was DISCUS d and discouraged. When
one undertakes to be a benefactress 1t is
irritating not to find candidate for bene-
fits.
There's one thing a out it," she said
one morning. lit makes me feel very val
liable myself. being born a girl, you know"
Finally Mrs. Bill Mel tyre of GAINESVILLE
had a letter in which IS. Seymour-Loftis
OF CnlCdgO RrdClOOSiN accepted the mission
laid upon her, but deploied the fact that It's
accomplishment might not be as imme-
diate as both would wish. Mrs. Seymour
Lofts suggested considering the dearth of
one to two year girls. Mrs. Mcintyre might
take an infant and raise II for herself, or
else boy. She received reply by the
next post:
Boys Is too hard to home and infants
are all CANDLES. l knew some people once
who took one young and they was catholics
It turned out jew. 1 don't want jews my
man is irish"
Mrs Seymour-Loftis sighed, but she did
not surrender. Instead she pluckly
doubled her efforts. and one month later
met her reward a little girl reserved for
some one else, and left unclaimed at the
last moment, was offered for her approval.
BY letter to GAINESVILLE she signified that
the time had arrived for the minister and
the officials of Mr.. Mclntyre's railroad to
do their part. and the letters of recon-
mendation, which came in reply to this
timely hint, We're so highly satisfactory to
the bureau of charities that 1t expressed
its Willingness to send the child at once to
its prospective foster parents.
Then an animated and frequent exchange
of letters ensued between the two women
both being anxious to have the incident
closed TO their mutual satisfaction The
delay and Inconvenience which Mrs. Nc
Intyre suffered by reason of her inability
to read what she termed "a stylish hand
write" was equaled by the difficulties her
correspondent encountered In certain ap-
palling occentricities of photography; but
1t finally developed that the lady from
GAINESVILLE, whose daily duty II was to pre-
pare family meals, could not absent herself
conveniently for more than one day from
the cares Of her household. Gold vittles"
she wrote, were bad for eny man." and
Mr. Mcintyre, it seemed, was no exception
to the rule His wife, however, could take
advantage OF his being "on run for over
mite" and would come In person for the
child in the late afternoon.
Then she asked another ''faver." Would
her friend have the little girl ready to re-
turn. on the morning train with its new