The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1910-04-07

eaW the DraVe, earnest soul looking
through the clear eyes. Her gaze
wandered to the girls questioningly.
May Whitley came to the rescue.
"Fellow members" she cried. spring
ing to her feet, II move we create the
Office of cavalier and run around mes
senger extraordinary in our circle.'
There was quick upraising Of
hands.
Contrary minds the same sign. 1t Is
vote Now. further move that We
appoint Mr. glancing inquiringly a,
the boy.
"Lish," looking at her little doubt
fully.
"Mr. Lish."
Garter" added Kate Markham.
-"Mr. Lish Carter said May calm
~. ito the Office just created. All in
favor signify by usual sign. Contrary
minds. 1t is vote"
The boy gazed at her with puzzled
expression OH his face: but. detecting
an undercurrent of merriment in the
room. he took courage and bowed his
thanks.
"Be l reg'lar member" he asked
beamingly as he rose to his feet. "an'
can l fetch in my poor folks:'
THAT point Is now in order" said
May politely
But the boy did not need encourage.
ment. He was too full Of his subject
to think much of himself or his sur
roundings. There was not the least
trace Of embarrassment in the face
Lesson. nor was there any hesitation
in the eager voice which poured forth
the story Of the poor folks.
Are they actually starying:" asked
one of the girls as he paused for a
moments breath.
Nom" promptly. Pap sent 'em n
painful OF small taters, an Ben an me
give 'em most Of our walnuts an
chestnuts. An then l dig 'em few
clans now an ag'in when the wealth
er's good an hunts wood for 'em. But
they'm desprit off, most desprt! The
father an mothers sick. an there's
six small kids, an none of 'em ain't
much good for anything. You sec.'
patronizingiy. "they's Eyetalians an
only come here last fall. They don't
know our talk nor how to scutllc round
for vittles yet. They jest luddle clost
up to their fireplace an famish." knit
ting his brows for suitable word
An would you b'licve it." excitctliy.
there amt a blessed shoe in the whole
family! Them children paddle round
in the snow an water barefoot. an
when it's awful cold they wrap their
feet up in old rags The biggest boy
helps me some. an It's hir, | want IL
git shoes for. That's why jinrd the
; club
"Do they live near youY' asked
Clara
, Bout half a mile But their house
amt got any floor like ourn. They
, live right on the bare ground"
Clara held up her hands
''The ideal" she exclaimed. Flight
persons living In Il house without amy
door. and in such weather. TIasn'i
anybody helped them besides your
fOlksy'
mo: folks live scatterin' down tina
, way, an guess they amt hear,
much about 'cm. But we've got alon,
pretty we'll so fur You see" proudly
my pap's stavin' good provider
Last fall he chopped wood enough L
last all winter, an' lie worked rOunt
'mong the farmers an took his pay Il
small tntcrs hog taterS. they cal
'em," in smiling explanation. I'VE ha'
mos four barrels full An sol,
clans myself an bought some salt an
barrel q turnips ! guess we'd a
had plenty to stand US clean through
the winter II it hadn't been for s
many mouths. Eight Eyetalians ca
eat a pile of stuff when theym hun
CRY"
"Yes." assented Miss Leeson whe
he paused. as though waiting for cor
irmation of his statement
Il heard pap ask Pete Cunning yes
day. the boy resumed. with anothe
smiling glance around the room, III
know'd anybody in the village who
be willin' to help poor family. That
| what made Pete tell about your clul
| Pap know'd the taters was most gon'
an, guess. he thought Ben an NJ
| couldn't hustle round lively enough
| keep two families goin'. You Sc
! pap's down with rheumatics."
Yes: so ] heard. But was it quit
right for you to give away all Of yor
potatoes? You should have applied f
help sooner II you are not caref,
D you will need help yourselves"
"Oh, we'm all right answered til
e boy carelessly. There's only four {
,r us, an Ben an mes both well. "
n ought to be able to look arter one fan
" bly," He noticed that her glance res
= ed on his boots. and he flushed II
" tie But his eyes looked calmly int
t hers
II Them boots amt very bad"
u said deprecatingly. "1f the Eyetalial
K. had boots like them an taters an sa
10 every day guess they'd feel prett
we'll set up. You see, Ben's younger
me an amt got toughened yet, |
4 pap bought him boots last fall. Ne!
,r winter. if nothin' happens. he's goi
i to git me some. These are plenty got
re till then" He laughed little AZ
added philosophically: whats the u
H. of havin' new boots such weather
= this, anyway? You'd spile 'em In |
es time"
ed "Isn't your jacket rather thin I
" this weather." hazarded Clara. "Y'
r. ought to dress warm If you're going
provide for the family"
n IT'S plenty good" hastily. "B