The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-08-03
AN Unnamed STATION.

II was late afternoon. at the hOu
when business men and belated shop
pers, as well as the motley crowd o
toiers, seek their homes, and the SUI
burban car was filled to its utmos
capacity. Sitting side by side; in one
corner, were a stout, Over-dr sed wo
man and very little boy. The wo
man had SO often endeavored to obey
the harassed conductors ADMIRATION
to sit close that her volumin0u;
skirts quite overspread the child's
dangling legs and feet, leaving Wis
IDLE little more than a small, patient
face, set round by a fringe Of crop
ped yellow curls. and lighted by a
pair Of large, serious blue eyes. One
could but wonder that the woman
seemed to give him no attention. He
must have been tired with the long
noisy ride. Why did she net take
him on her lap and cushion his head
upon her ample shoulder?
Singly or in groups the passen-
gers began to leave the car at various
street crossings, until there was left,
besides the woman and child, only a
young lady in black, with a beauti-
full sad face. At length the stout
woman pressed the signal button, and
the car came to stop. Half way to
the door, she heard the conductor
calling after her:
Lady. you've forgotten your boy"
my boy! What cher mean? I've
got no boy"
The man stared.
Whose is he, then? He's been on
along with you ever since we left the
car barn. Looks to me as IL you
meant to shake him."
ME! Shake him." The woman
cAoked with indignation. Il never
seen the kid before in my life!"
Still incredulous. the conductor ad-
dressed the child.
"Ain't she your mo,hero"
oh. no. sir The clear, little
voice sounded sweet as pipes O.
Pan" "Mamma's gone to Heaven.
That's whore I'm going to find her.
Heres my penny tried to give il
to you, but you didn't see. VIII you
please tel me when we got there"
"Wha, dye know about that" he
ruttrrcd Then. with a queer catch
II his throat:
I'm sorry. kiddic, but Heaven is
not on our line"
There was n rustic of garments, 1
soft, brcathlcss rush, ana The lady in
black had the child in her arms.
Tell me all about it, darling.
What is your name. and where do
You l!ve?"
My name used to be Dickic, but
It's Flfty-seycn now, and | live at the
sylum. \ man took mo there after
NY mamma went away There are
lots OF little boys ana girls, but no
rammas there. Nobody kisses me
goodnight, or tucks me up in bed,
ar hears me say my prayers. Have
you ever been to Heaven, lady, and is
Il very FAR away"
Il have never been there myself,
dear, but had little boy who went
And it is very far off. know you
would never find it alone
But your little boy-did he get
.ostcd?'
No, for somebody led him all tn
way"
Wont that somebody lead M.
too"
Sometime. darling, but not nov
One must wait patiently until he
comes"
That's what my mamma said 70
wait. But I'm tired waiting!"
81 am tired too, waitin-for nv
little boy. Dear, will you come and
live with me, so that we can wait tc-
gether?'
The blue eyes gazed for long, |
silent moment in the other eyes Of |
tender brown. A look of utter trust
fulness stole over the childish fea-
lures, pair of little arms twinod
about the neck Of the lovely lady,
and the curly head sank upon he-
breast.
The conductor drew his slccycs
cross his eyes.
II mistook," he murmred under
bis breath. Heaven amt name |
Dr. our books, but it's sure on Tie
r.