The new South-news., 1909-01-23
THE REC0LLECTIONS
...~.OF A DINE
BY Mary McInnls.


snd individuality are worn away, and
J am 40 thin my circulation has
nearly stopped. am Yoriinblo silver
milne of experience and Information.
n was realization Of this fact that
Induced me. in these. my last days.
&C. Gull from ihc pact few rocollec-
iiOns aud coin them into a little story.
hoping if might make me appreciated
beyond mY mere intrinsic value.
suppose ! am conceited 10 at
iomri THE. because an ] know about
writing ! learned from being strand
"a In tho pocket of literary man.
but hia remarks regarding literature
were very iorcofM was great
comfort no that man In moments Of
desperation. lie knew as long az /
stayed with him stood between him
and starvation.
one day hr sold q Joke for nuy
scnia. and. with the base ingralitgde
that mars some really noble natures.
ne nwapped me over a quick lunch
counter FOR two doughnute and a cup
of coffee
An old gentleman got me next
and, misiaking me for a cent. gave
nae TO n ncwahoy.
The boy was so aFioniHhcd he bit
me TO see u was real. not satisfied
with that test. he dashed me to the
Sidewalk. cried out protcstingly.
aud when he heard the silycry ring
of nay voice be was satisfied. tie
grippcd mr so tight ! was an In a
pcrspira,lon by the time he got home.
Such miserable apology for the
homc7 iie had to climb
nlght after nisht of rickeiy stairs
before he reached the one room that
y him meant home
= Peuly," he cried. pushing open
the door, "are YOU awake"
A small, white face was lifted from
|" heap OF ragged bedding. and pair
~ x,ar"ncd eyes answered the
question with mu,, eloanencc.
Look here continued 'ne boy
brcathlossly. AN old gent gave m,
true enough dime and I'm goiue 10
buy YOU a lump OF modelling wax"
20 h" the long-drawn oxclama-
iion was expressive oi an intense
emotion. let me see itl7
Tho boy laid me, an moist on the
outstretched palm OF his crippled
brother. who turned me over iucredu-
lousy.
Don't you need Il to buy some
thlng TO cat. Loulsg" he asked, hest
latinrly.
Nav. I'm nlled right up, \ fcllor
gave me a handful of peanuts. and
I'm going 70 get some buns for our
tea,
Louis dashed down stairs again.
and was soon lying Ia the tlll OF a
jewelers. shop where he took me to
buy the was.
I lay there all night. wondering
why those hungry boys had parted
with me for an iuscnsats lump of
wax, little thinking | would ever
know.
+ fte next day was given to a beau.
tiful young lady. dressed all In gray
I fcll quite In love. and was glad wher
abe tucked me In her glove. liked
smuggling close to her warm hand an,
feeling her dependent on me, be
,anse | was all the money she ha,
LETT from her shopping
Alas As she stepped into a troll
ley ear fell out nnnoticed. | real
isei that | was lost. but. with m
mercurial nature. | ran like quick
silver TO the feet of a young man. VIII
picked me mp and started after tn
beautiful gray lady. She had disaI
peared into the ear; he followed
when the conductor came to cole,
the fares she discovered IL was eoAe
The young man leaned forward an
ssid politely. ALLOW me the plea
ure of paying your fare. 81
thanked him SO sweetly. aud asks
for his address that she migat retuI
The money.
He graveiy handed her his cai
aud paid her fare, but not With M
lie put me. slill warm from her han
In his vest pocket And there stay,
until | Was furnished for the want
use. all done up In tissue paper al
labelled iicr dime
One nleht the erratic thumpirg
his heart made me 80 restless tha,
popped right out OF his pocket.
soon as | touched the door | saw t
reason that | had been able 60 do
was because he was stopping forws
to tie the beautiful gray lads's sh
She saw me and read my label as 1
picked me an.
why. ~ha, does this mesn4~ /
asked. lis It ,oufssr His face
awfully red ani lac pushed me b.
In HIS pocket.
The next thing knew I felt sol
thlnK pressed against the vest poe
whore l was hidden. aud l distin'
heard the beautiful eray lady 5
Lists keep that dear dine to buy