Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-09-20
/ leart Of
a Child
"Haye YOU any boys?"

T was accosted thus by mite Of a
lad with dusty shoes and lunch box
in hand at 4 o'clock, as walked along
a quiet country road. / was on my
way to the postoffice half mile dis
tant. He was going home from school,
inferred from his box and the time
of day.
Now, have no boys, and l love
boys, and 1 did not like to tell the
truth about it and answer directly, so
T fenced. "Why, are you out looking
for boys, laddie?" I smilingly ques-
toned in return.
His blue eyes looked up into mine
with the sweetest, shyest look from
under the longest Of curved lashes,
ard his little round freckled nose was
timed sideways in the friendliest
way, while his lips began to draw
down in proper shape to make bust
ness reply. yes, ma'am, have some
tickets to sell. They're 10 cents, and
YOU can see the ball game
"oh," said I. care you going?'
"No. I guess not It's way down
town, an the big boys are going to
play, some from our own school"
ooh, l see And if you sell FIVE, per-
haps YOU could have a ticket for your;
SELF" said I.
"Oh, yes, teacher said if any one
sold five he could have a ticket free.
But ! don't guess I'll sell five-I don't
know anybody at has FIVE boys"
I became more interested. didn't
want to miss that ball game, and l
wanted him to see it. So thought /
would try to get a boy do you
know of any boy l could get to take
me to that ball game?" said /, with
all the intensity 1 could put into my
manner.
"Well, no ma'am, / don't know any
Just now--'less jim could go-he
works for Mr. Ward next house to
u.s. he said with such sweet concern,
hoping to sell ticket. =
"But you see, I don't know jim. I'd
rather take some one know, and We
could both see the game. Now, L
don't suppose you could take me,
could you, if I bought the tickets and
paid the street car fare and all? You
see, I don't like to so alone, and l
don't know any boys but YOU" ~
Downcast eyes fringed with black
lashes gave a proper modesty, to the
eagerness Of his reply. yes, ma'am,
I think I could do it, if you'd like to
see the game
So the time and place Of meeting
was arranged, the two tickets paid
for, and l went on my way to the post
Office. was really happily excited
That boy had awakened a feeling Of
youth In me that had been a stranger
for some years. wanted to see the
ball game-I wanted a childs COM
panionship-I was impatient for the
appointed day.
My escort arrived early on Satur-
day. lust as finished my lunch, ring
ing the bell with a timid hand. l
spied him through the window and
went to the door myself. / did not
want any one to come between our
new and growing confidence. That
shy lifting of the eyes greeted me, and
l at once brought out Felix, my little
terrier, who is friesdly and good
entertainer. l left the two on the
porch while I got my hat, gloves and
my pink tickets.
When I returned, Felix had q new
friend. II like your dog" said my
boy" Ct had never asked his name.)
you don't want to sell him, do you?"
lie asked in a truly business tone.
NO." said ], hes my burglar
alarm"
ooh, course" said he.
We boarded a car, and was more
delightfully."- entertained during that
half hour than l had been for many
q day.
"Pa said for me to be sure and
thank you for my ride and the ticket,
and I guess I better do it now. 1
might forget, you know, if / have a
perfectly splendid time
"Your papa is a gentleman, and
you give him my best wishes for
many happy returns of the day"
He looked earnestly at me. Il
guess I can't remember all that"
Then tell him You did not forget"
I said. and he was satisfied.
The excitement Of passing the
charmed ticket man and walking up
that long road to the benches with
his little warm hand in mine was de-
lightful. Ny pulses beat with his, my
eyes saw with his eyes, my feet kept
time with his.
And then the game--how We Gid
shout and wave orr handkerchiefs,
and stand up to get the best view! |
was as merry as my boy OF eight. I
didn't want the game to come to an
end-but alas! it did. We went home
tired, but happy.
"Good-by," he said, at my gate.
"Good-by, laddie," said I. Come in
and see Felix next Saturday:
"All right" he called, as his feet
,;1J 49,, +bo d,,ct in tha road