Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-07-25

wrapped cucumber pickles In the fold
Ing drinking cup and fresh napkin in
the ring. No lunch was ever daintici
or more palatabie. or that Elnora was
perfectly sure. And her mother had
prepared It for her.
She glanced around her and then TO
her old refuge, the sky. "She does love
me-. cried the happy girl Sure as
you're born she loves me; she just
hasn't found it out yet
She was to go to the Bird Woman's
after school for the last load from the
cnse Saturday she would take the mr.
row points and specimens to the bank.
That would exhaust her present sup
plies and give her enough money
ahead to pay for books. tuition and
clothes for at least two years. She
would work early and late gathering
nuts. in October she would sell oil the
ferns she could find. She must collect
specimens of all tree leaves before they
fell. gather nests and cocoons later and
keep her eyes wide open for anything
the grades could use. She would see
the superintendent that night about
selling specimens to the ward build
ings. She must be ahead Of anyone
else If she wanted to furnish these
things. So she approached the bridge.
That 1t was occupied could be seen
from a distance. As she came up she
found the small boy Of yesterday
awaiting her with a confident SMILE
I'VE brought you something" he an
nounced without greeting. This Is
Jimmy and Belle-and we brought you
you present.
He offered a parcel wrapped in brown
paper.
"Why. how lovely Of you" said FL
nora II supposed you had forgotten
me when you ran away so fast yester
day"
Nav, | didn't forget you" said the
boy. IL wouldn't forget you, not ever.
Why. was list a-hurrying to take
them things to Jimmy and Belle. Ny,
they was elad.'
Elnora glanced at the children. They
snt on the edge Of the bridge. obviously
clad in garment each, very dirty and
unllcmpt. little boy and a girl OF
about seven and nine. Enora's heart
began to ache.
Say" said the boy. "ain't you going
to look what we have gave your"
IT thought it wasn't ro..te to look,
before people" answered Elnora. "Of
I "A 70 l,a
me-"
Elnora opened the package. She
had been presented with n quarter OF
n STALE loaf of bakers bread and n
biz piece of ancient bologna.
Put don't yor want this your
selves" she asked in surprise.
Gosh. no mean list plain no."
said the boy I'VE always have It.
We got stacks this morning. Pas
tome out Of it now, and he's so sorry
he got more an ever we can eat. Have
YOU had any before?"
No" said Elnora. IL never did
The boys eyes frightened and the
girl moved restlessiy.
we thought maybe You hadn't"
said the boy. First you ever have
don't have anything else for o long
time. years an years. YOU git so tired"
He hitched at the string which held
his trousers and eyed Elnora specula-
lively.
Il don't s'pose you'd trade what you
got in that box for ist old bread and
bologna now. would you: Mebby
you'd like it. And l know, ! list know,
what you got would taste like heaven
to Jimmy and Belle. They never had
nothing like that Not even Belle, and
she's most ten. No, Stree they never
tasted things like you got"
Elnora knelt on the bridge, opened
the box and divided her lunch into
three equal parts. the smaller boy get
ting most Of the milk. Then she told
them it was school time and she must
60.
"Why don't you put your bread and
bologna in the nice boxY asked the
boy.
'"Of course" said Elnora 81 didn't
think"
When the box was arranged to the
children's satisfaction all Of them ac
companied Elnora to the corner where
| she turned toward the high school
Elnora and Billy led the way. Jimmy
and Belle followed
Billy" said Elnora. II would like
you much better if you were cleaner
Surely you have water. Can't YOU
children get some soap and wash your
selves? Gentlemen are never dirty
You want to be gentleman, don't
you?"
is being clean all you have to do t.
be gentleman"
NO" said EInora. You must no
say bad words and you must be kint
and polite to your sister"
Must Belle lie kind and polite t
me. else she amt LADY,
Yes"
JThen Bellies no lady!' said Bill,
succinctly.
Elnora could say nothing more jus
then, and she bade them goodby an,
started them home.
The poor little souls" she unused
Il think the Almighty put them il
my way to show me real trouble.
won't be likely to spend much tim
! plying myself while can see them
She glanced ut the lunch box "Wha
on earth do l carry this for? l neve
had anything that was so strictly oil
nnnfnlI ONO Siarn thincri u,