The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1908-07-23
A FELLOW
FEELING.
by Etlc, Mason.

IL had Deen Qulle InIeS nouIS ny
the clock although he did not know
IT, for its language was ore he did
not und erstand, that Paolo had
spent tugging. pushing and dragging
,he big box from the alley to the
atreet corner three crossings down,
.nd now he was very weary. Tho
hov was as tall as Paolo himself ana
f,,lly four times as large around, for
n. was a little fellow, u1l the box
was quite q monster in its way. And
now II would not stir. Paolo gave
I; one more mighty but Intellectual
shove, poured out torrent Of ex-
cited Italian, looked apprehensively
down the street and sitting down az
last upon the sidewalk, gave way 10
tears of discouragement. And he
would probably have continued to
weep Indefinitely, for the street
teaches its children the lessons of
sorrow and despair very early in
life, had not handsome carriage
come to standstill at the very
corner where he sat, and n gentle
man who got out, fingered for
moment quite unconscio ods of the
presence of Paolo, to talk with
lady inside.
Well" said the gentleman good
humoredly, "I'll say good-by Elsie.
The best of friends must, you know
Paolo sat up and stared, and he
saw the lady press her li,tle hand
lnrchief against her eyes
You don't seem to m'rd saying
good-by," she said, Il suppose you
cont care. Men are so i3constant."
oh. | shouldn't say that il |
we're you." he rejoined. smiling "a
little, remembering what | found
when came home; certainly
should not say that.
You are very cruel she said
softly. You know | lovol you very
much. i went without many pleas
rres for your sake. l suffered every
thing from my family-and 1t was
With self-pity.
1T was good WHILE" he repli-
ed gently. but you knew why. IL
you went without pleasures | went
without home and comforts so that
some day | might get them for you.
W hen | came home with something
IL offer you at last. l found that you
had allowed someone else to pro-
vide you with these things. Surely,
can do nothing more tnan to wish
Won we'll and leave YOU"
He held out his nand. end Paolo
noticed that she just touched 1t
with her own, and that q, She drove
away she was crying. The gentle
man stood looking after the carriage
until 1t wheeled around the nearest
corner. Then he turned slowly and
almost fell over a small figure. Pao-
10 was. in fact, in the act ot picking
up bunch of violets from the
pavement, and when he had risen
lie extended them to tho man.
"Ah!" said the man. Absently he
thrust the flowers Into his coat pock-
et, all the time looking 1T Paolo.
And what are you doing with the
box? he asked at last.
Paolo thus recalled tn his own
sorrows, relapsed into vehement It
allan and explained that Ills family
vas in need OF flrewood; taat he had
that day started out to secure some.
and that falling upon this prize he
had dragged it with much difficulty
as far as this. And now conclud-
cd Paolo. directing 4 teriitle look to
ward the rebeliious box. this pig
this villain, will not move. And
While | go for my father &c help me
Stephen Goz2i, who is bigger than
!, will come and carry 1t off for
himself"
Il see," said the man. gently
Well. I'll help you honr with II
myself. I've sort of fellow feeling
for you, you see. And u Stephanc
Goes not overcome us on the way
dare say that between rs we shall
% very we'll"
Ana so they went along, the stran
ger dragging the clumsy thing witt
Il strong hand and Pa(.o pushins
vigorously in the rear. IF evel
you should need help to Gag boz
al your own" said Paolp betweer
two struggling breaths, "cdh on me
will help you because you have
telped me-"
Thank YOU" answered. the man
but | am afraid | shan't lave any
Though have been in trouble JUS
al you were only nobocs helrel
me-"
Was 1t box?" inqui. ca Paolo
sympathetically.
No. not box and Yet somethini
that wanted very much. worke'
hard to get 1t. but | Fad to s.
away for a while to prepare plac
to keep it. and while | was away
While you were away" repeat
ed Paolo looking up.
Someone came and stole wha
was mine," said the man.
If 1t was Stephano, bega
Paolo fiercely. 81 will follow him.
1t was certainly lot S'eDhano,