The Sauk Centre herald., 1912-06-13

he murmured, and settled back In MS
uncomfortable chair to pass another
day in pain and loneliness.
1t is bad enough to be sick, even
in the midst of luxury. but to be
sick and poor, that is enough tC
make a man groan and writhe Tom
Stevens, alone in the big city, toe
proud to write back home and tell OF
his hard luck, looked at the gray
skies and the gay streets and wished
he were dead.
And just then he heard the rustic
of paper, and, looking toward the
door, he saw that a note had been
slipped under it,
Painfully he crossed the room, and
painfully he returned to his big
chair. Then he opened the sheet OF
paper. Across the top was painted
wreath of tiny rosebuds, and un'
derneath was the verse:
There is ever a song somewhere. my
dear
Though the skies above be dark and
drear:
There is ever song that our hearts
shall hear,
There Is ever song somewhere. my
dear
There is ever a song somewhere.
AS he read Tom felt as if the sun
were shining and the birds singing
on June day. Who had thought OF
him in his loneliness? Why, it was
better than food and drink-better
than fire and warmth.
Its a girls handwriting" he said
to himself He felt as ii he wanted
to get right up and hunt for her, but
when he tried to move he sank
back with groan, and the little
neighborhood DOCTOR coming in, eau.
toned him.
The next morning the janitor's
wife brought him his meager meal
1t was sloppy and badly cooked and
Tom turned from it with sigh. So
the janitor's wife carried the tray, but
left a crack in the door.
And it was through this crack an
hour later, was slipped a tiny tray.
On it was a steaming cup OF coffee.
two slices of hot toast, and a soft
boiled egg.
lOLl, uidhlL6 lOl luo UOOI, Threw
it wide open and faced an empty
hallway. He dragged himself to the
apartment across. the way and
knocked. The janitor, passing through
the hall, asked curiously: Did you
want any help, sir?"
who lives in there?" Tom de-
manded.
"An old man and his wife," said
the janitor. And he works and she
works"
Tom sighed and went back to find
on the tray little note:
Little Tommy Tucker sings for his sup
What shall he sing for. white bread and
butter.
Tom ate the toast and the egg,
drank the coffee and laid the note
the one which had come the day be-.
fore.
Just wait till I'm well," he mur
INJURED.
He resolved that he would watch
the door and lie in wait.
But ! wonder-when she'll come"
was his eager thought.
The day passed, and the night was
we'll advanced, when Tom, still lying
awake, heard in the hall a little
sound. He sat up and listened, and
suddenly he was aware OF a light
shining under the door, Gathering
his dressing gown about him, he rose
from his couch, opened the door and
looked out. On the threshold was a
lighted candle in an old-fashioned can.
dlestick. Tied to the handle was
card, and on the card was written:
How far that little candle throws
his beams so shines good deed in
naughty world"
Tom went back to bed. and Iabori.
ously made his stiff fingers pan his
sentiments:
Dear Lady Bountiful: can't write
poetry, but l can say in plain, every.
day words how grateful l am. And
how | wish-but, you know what
wish-that Fate will not be unkind
and that-some day-when you will it
that l may see you, and tell you
what is not easy to say adequately on
paper"
He signed it Tommy Tucker" and
put it in the hall and shut the door.
And when an hour later he opened the
door the note was gone.
Aha" said Tom to himself. "she.s
not far away. and that's something
to think about"
After time there came a quick
tap, tap" and Tom got out of his
chair in hurry. but by the time he
reached the door the hall was
empty, but there was a note living
waiting for him.
1t said: II am going to send
you grandmother-you must be nice
to her for my sake"
Tom whistled. We'll, Of all things"
he calculated.
At six precisely a little, gray-hair-
ed lady hustled in.
"Gracious!" she said, without wait
ing for formalities. you poor boy.
This won't do at all. You ought to
be in bed, covered up with hot water
bags and hot broths and. and"