Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-01-03


morning paper, guess. l see n boys
cap over the lower part Of the door
SASH" And Grandmother Smith open
ed the big hall door AS she did so
young. happy face looked into hers.
A boy perhaps ten years old stood
there, holding a roll Of papers under
his arm. As grandmother looked down
into his eyes the boy smiled brightly.
saying. Are you Mrs. Smith, mum"
Grandmother returned the smile and
replied: "Yes, | am Mrs. Smith, little
man. What is wantlng?"
why, I'm your paper boy, mum, an
I've got your paper here" And the
lad held up q paper to grandmother.
AN since you are Mrs. Smith ! want
to thank you for your patronage during
the past year. An l want to wish you
and Mr.. Smith most prosperous an
happy New Year, num-"
After delivering himself Of his speech
the little paper vender was about to
depart when grandmother suddenly
thought of something. Wait min
ute, little man. Won't you come In
and have a cup Of hot chocolate and a
slice of cake:"
The lad hcsitated, then looked down
at his poorly shod feet. I'D hate to
soil your floor, num-" he said. "My
clothes amt fit, you see."
"Come right In, child" said grand
mother. Never mind about your
clothes. 1t Is you we want"
The boy took off his ragged cap and
followed grandmother into the cheer
full living room. There he was greet
ed pleasantly by grandfather to whom
he was introduced. NOW sit there till
I fix the chocolate" said grandmother,
designating comfortable chair be.
side the glowing CRATE.
Within few minutes grandfather,
grandmother and Dick, for he had told
them his name, were chatting pleas
antly. And to their many questions
Dick told the story Of his young life.
He was an orphan. without a living
relative in the world that he knew
about. He lived at the Newsboys'
home. over by the viaduct. He man
aged to get enough to pay his ~ a
week at the home and went to night
school three nights Of each week.
Grandmother looked at grandfather.
Then she arose and beckoned the old
man to follow her into another room,
telling Dick to excuse them minute.
In the dining room the old folks had
whispered consultation. Then, with
beaming faces, they returned to the
living room. And they explained 10
Dick new plan they had conceived.
And the plan was for Dick Sunshine
for that was what the dear old grand
mother called HIM to take up his resi-
dence with them-make their home bis
home and to give up selling newspa'
pers and go to day school.
Dicks face was radiant for mo-
ment. Then he hung his head. II
can't do It, mum and sir" he said.
"I'd be gittin' everything and givin'
YOU nothin' for It. 1t wouldn't be
fair bargain"
"a perfectly fair bargain" declared
both grandmother and grandfather.
"You'lI he giving US what we most
need-a child in the house, sunshine,
gayety, the love Of grateful and con.
siderate boy. Oh. please come"
So 1t happened that Dick Sunshine
became one of Grandfather Smiths
family and in course Of time was law
fully adopted as their son. And he
fully repaid them for all they gave
him, for he brought back to them the
days of youth, the days when their
own children were growing up about
them, and their home once more rang
with the laughter and shouts Of a hap
nv child