The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-08-09
Heart Of
a Child

In hand at 1 o'clock. a. walked aloul
. quiet country road. ! was on m!
way to the postoffice half . mile die
tant. He was going home from school
, l inferred from his box and the time
Of day.
Now. l have no boys. and love
boys. and did not like to tell the
truth about it and answer directly. %
I fenced. why. are you out looking
for boys. ladder" l smilingly ques
toned in return.
His blue eyes looked up into mine
with the sweetest. shyest look from
under the longest of curved lashes
and his little round ircckled nose was
tipped sideways IN HE iriendliest
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 !. Are you going?"
mo. guess not. It's way down
town. an the big boys are going to
play. some from our own school,"
"Oh, | see. And II you sell Ave. per.
haps You could have 4 ticket for your.
SELF" said l.
"Oh. yes. teacher said II any one
sold Ave he could have a ticket free.
But don't guess Ill sell fve-l don't
know anybody at has five boys"
became more interested. | didn't
want to miss that ball game. and
wanted him to see IT, So | thought
would try to get a boy. "I'o you
know Of any boy l could get TO take
me to that ball game" said |. with
oil the Intensity could put into my
manner.
Well, no ma'am. | don't know any
just nOw--'!ess 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, ! don't know Jim. Id
rather take some one I know, and We
could both see the game. Now, I
don't suppose you could take me.
could you, II ! bought the tickets and
paid the street car fare and all? You
see. don't like to 60 alone. and
don't know any boys but YOU"
Downcast eyes fringed with black
lashes gave proper modcsty to tho
eagerness Of his reply. Eyes. ma'am.
I think could do It, II 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
once. I was really happily excited.
That boy had awakened q feeling Of
youth In me- that had been q stranger
for some years. I wanted to see the
ball game-l wanted q child's com
panionship-I was impatient for the
appointed day.
My escort arrived early on Satur.
day. just as I finished my lunch. ring
Ing the bell with a timid hand.
spied him through tho window and
went to the door myself. did not
want any one to como between our
new and growing confidence. That
shy lifting OF tho eyes greeted me, and
I at once brought out Felix. my little
terrier. who is friesdly and good
entertainer. left the two on tho
porch while I got my hat. gloves and
my pink tickets.
When returned. Felix had u new
friend. Il like your dog" said my
boy" q had never asked his nameD
"Y0u don't want to sell him. do your"
he asked In a truly business tone.
NO." said ]. hes my burglar
alarm"
"Oh. course" said he.
We boarded q car. and I was more
delightfully."- entertained during that
half hour than I had been for many
. day.
PA said for mo to be sure and
thank you for my ride and the ticket.
and guess I better do II now. I
might forget. you know. II have .
perfectly splendid time"
your papa Il . gentleman. and
you give him my best wishes for
many happy returns Of The day"
He looked earnestly ct me- y
guess I can't remember al that"
Then tell him you did not forget"
I said, and hs was satisfied.
The excitement Of passing the
ticket man and walking up
that long road to the benches with
bis little warm hand In mine was de- /
lightful. My pulses beat with his. ny
eyes saw with his eyes. my feet KEPT
time with his.
And then the game-how We did
shout and wave our handkerchlefs,
and stand up to get the best view.
was as merry as my boy of eight.
didn't want the game to come 10 al
end-but alas! It did. We went home
Tired, but happy.
"Good-by." he said, at my gate
"Good-by, laddie," said I. "Cone IL
and see Felix next Saturday"
"All right" he called. as his feet
licked up the dust In the road
was alone with my thoughts
And whose shall receive one such
title child receiveth me-"