The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1907-12-25

draped a piece of thin black cloth
pinned to the bedquilt halfway down
the carr
Hard surveyed the procession as it
crossed the floor. He is got up re-
CARELESS of his feelings for the purpose
of appealing to mine" was his thought
as his hand involuntarily wandered to
his pocket.
The boy pulled the rafting express
cart across the soft rug to the desk
and laid the tongue down carefully.
"I'm Robert Allison Broxley," he an
nounced, working his hat loose from
his head and bowling gravely.
Hard returned the bow and followed
in the wake of the cart, feeling rather
super1uous as a host. 81 am glad to
meet you, Robert Allison Broxley," he
said solemnly. II am Owen S. Hard"
The child regarded him steadily with
great black eyes set in dark rings
which extended low on his cheeks. The
face ought to have been the face of
mere baby had not responsibility claim
ed it's owner early and made Of him
premature man.
81 knew who you was" Robert ALI
son Broxley said calmly. His face
looked troubled, and Hard detected a
suspicion of tears around the long
black lashes and a CULVER in the chin
for which he could not account Rob
ert's next words, however, confirmed
him in the idea which had led his
hand to his pocket.
"You are rich, amt your the little
chap asked, laying hold of the black
cloth at the tail of the cart. He asked
in a queer voice which seemed to in
vite denial.
"Most people take it for granted that
am" answered Hard dryly.
Robert did not understand the hid
den meaning. His face fell, and he
struggled with some emotion which
caused him to draw his coat sleeve
across his eyes. Then nobody don't
give you nothing for a present does
they" he asked.
Hard looked at the boy curiously
and said what he had interrupted him
self in saying to Yemans a few mo-
ments before. mo, Robert; no one has
made me present in ten years"
"I's sorry for you" muttered Robert,
and his hand again sought the black
cloth. He raised one corner and peer
ed under. The sight evidently made
him still more unwilling to uncover the
cart. rs sorry for you" he repeated.
holding down the corner of the cloth.
won't you git a sack of -four or
clothes or broth or fruit or shoes or
nothing tomorrow from nobody?" anx-
iously.
mo, Robert" said Hard solemnly.
Probably no one will give me a sin
gle gift"
"You must have an awful bad time"
sighed Robert.
"Well, l don't have very good time
always on Christmas day." agreed
Hard. do you?'
The child frightened. "Oh, yes,
cause everybody is so good and gives
us lots and lots of things"
II never have" hazarded Hard, "and
am somebody"
AsoOSAe iooHASu up, Lis Sy CD SlOW
wider. why, you know you've been
the coolest of ALL That's Why He
glanced at the cart and checked him
self. "You give my papa a funral, a
very nice fun'ral, too,' cheerfully, "and
you sent us a hen for tomorrow
There's better pickin' on a rooster, you
know. but the hen is very nice and fat
most as big as that rooster you sent on
Thanksgivin' day Hain't you no hens
left for yourselfw anxiously.
Funerals, hens" repeated Hard
| musingly. He had given so many flu
nerals and hens on request that one
more or less made no impression on
him. 81 give it up. little man. You
have the better of me. You seem to
know more of what I do than l re
member myself, so we will change the
subject What have you there?" point
ing to the cart
Robert hesitated and winked fast. 81
brought something that is, got some
thinp to Oiy-o Won lift