Willmar tribune., 1908-11-04

transformation. A dozen or more cot
tages took possession of the more pic
turesque points, and here and there q
hotel rose to meet the wants of those
who could not own cottages. 1t had
the reputation of being very exclusive.
when the group of strangely dressed
children came into town there were
many who gazed at them with suspi-
, c'oc But as the days and weeks went
by ;:nc nothing was missed the distrust
gradually gave place to idle curiosity.
a r"w even showed some friendly in
terest. The children were neither beg
gars nor thieves; that much was now
coco"9ed 'r oil. At present they SEEM
ed perfectly able to take care Of them
selves. When cold weather arrived 1t
would he time enough to take some &C.
ton In the matter.
Every day they could be seen on the
beach, along the banks of the river. on
the wharf, catching crabs, digging
clans and fishing. Even the tiny little
fellow in picturesque kirtle spent most
OF his time in racing up and down the
beach with crab net and basket Ev-
cry morning the girls went back into
the fields after wild flowers or over to
the shallow lake after pond lilies. And
as the days went by and the people be.
came more familiar with their bright
faces and eager ways they grew more
liberal in their patronage. The signs
OF prosperity began to show in the
disappearance of the snowy rags and
the substitution Of such garments as
were worn by the village children. The
transformation began with the little
fellow in the kirtle and extended by
slow degrees to the girls and the other
small boy
The oldest boy still wore the faded
Jacket and red trousers. He was here
and there and everywhere. working
smiling, asking questions, making
notes and taking his new knowledge
home to the children.
few days later as Mrs. Roper stood
idly on her piazza she saw him going
toward the kitchen entrance with a
basket of crabs.
"Say. boy" she called. "come here a
minutev'
The basket was quickly set upon the
ground. and he hurried across to the
piazza
"You haven't told me your name yet"
she suggested.
Name Paoli; fader's an grandfader's
name before me''
"Well, Paoli, want you to tell your
sister to bring me a large bunch Of
pond lilies tomorrow. How old are you.
Paoli?"
Il nebba know. t'inls pretty Old
I seen a good many t'ings How old
you s'pose be:''
II should say about fourteen or if
teen.''
Den l tink | bout dat old-'bout
fo'teen or fifteen. You have some crab
tomorra?'
Yes. you may bring NE few, and
oh, PaOli, what is the matter with YOUR
hands?"
The boy laughed and held up his
hands complacently
'"oi oNI wv, SCl uU, SCIuDs-
an make de brudders an sisters
wash. an we clean de room an fix up
t,iaggs. sec Cat Ameriky peoples no
had dirt like peoples in home country.
We Ameriky peoples now" Then a
s;::;;-;,,eA sparkle came into his eyes.
DE school begin next mont, an hab
de brudders an sisters to 60. l got
tC:.i g.! dress up nice like Ameriky
peoples. t'ink dey make somebody"
"But why don't you get some Amer
lean clothes and go to school yourself,
Paoli:"
The boys face became grave.
Il like to. but no ready yet Desc
t'ings costa monna, an de fader"-the
ready smile returning to his face-"haf
to look out for de little ones. When
dey 60 to school somebody haf to make
de monna. Mebba go some time"
The next day Mrs. Roper was again
on the piazza when she saw him COM
ing up the path. This time he had no
basket, and there was no smile on his
face. Instead Of going round to the
kitchen he came directly up the piazza
steps.
'What is it," she asked kindly.
| "Dis." And he took from beneath
his jacket pair of small opera
| glasses.
| MY glasses!' she exclaimed in sur
prise. Il had not even missed them.
Where did you find them"
| NNfv hru16or-sfO1o dom
"What?''
| "Stole dem," he repeated gravely.
| HE come with crabs one day an see
dem on de table an take dem. He
mean to sell, but get scare an tell de
sisters Dey tell me-"
But what did he want to sell them
for? Did he need the money!"
The boy flushed and hesitated lit
tie before answering.
"He-he tell de sisters dat he buy
clothes for Paoli so all go school to-
gedder. He vera small boy" apollo
getically.
"Yes, l know he ;s."
Paoli looked at her anxiously.
HE musta be punish" he said in a
troubled voice, IAN l like for you to
help me. He be good boy an SMART
an I t'ink make somebody some time
If he no get bad. He musta be pun
ish for lesson"
But how am I to help you?"
"You been tell me rake grass an pick
up leaves an t'ings. S'pose you hat
Luigi do it. He hate dat kind work.
| Ho 1ovo catch fish an crabs an t'ingS