The Raymer enterprise., 1912-08-01
Heart Of
a Child
Have you any boys!"

In hand at 4 o'clock, as walked~alonf
q quiet country road. l was on m,
way to the postoffice half a mile dis
tant. He was going home from school
I inferred from his box and the time
Of day.
Now, have no boys. and | love
boys, and | did not like to tell tht
truth about It and answer directly, SC
I fenced. why. are you out looking
for boys, ladder" / 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 freckled nose was
tipped sideways In the friendlies,
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, ant
you can see the ball game"
"Oh." said !. "Are you going?"
mo. guess not. It's way dowr
town, an the big boys are going tc
play. some from our own school,
"Oh, | see. And II you sell five, per
haps you could have a ticket for your
SELF" said |.
"Oh. yes, teacher said II any one
sold five he could have ticket free
But don't guess I'll sell five-I don,
know anybody at has Ave boys"
became more Interested. l didn',
want to miss that ball game. and
wanted him to see It. So l thought
would try to get boy. do you
know OF any boy ! could get to take
me to that ball game?" said I. with
all the intensity | could put into my
manner.
Well, no ma'am, I 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, don't know Jim. I'd
rather take some one l know, and We
could both see the game. Now,
don't suppose you could take me
could you. II bought the tickets and
paid the street car fare and all? You
see. l don't like to go alone, and ]
don't know any boys but you"
Downcast eyes fringed with black
lashes gave proper modesty to the
eagerness Of his reply. Yes. ma'am
| 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 went on my way to the pos,
office. was really happily excited.
That boy had awakened feeling ol
youth In me that had been a stranger
for some years. | wanted to see the
ball game-I wanted child's com
panionship-I was impatient for the
appointed day.
My escort arrived early on Satur
day. Just as finished my lunch, ring
ing the bell with a timid hand.
spied him through the window and
went to the door myself. | did no,
want any one 10 come between our
new and growing confidence. That
shy lifting OF the eyes greeted me, and
! at once brought out Felix. my little
terrier, who Is friesdly and good
entertainer. left the two on the
porch while got my hat, gloves and
my pink tickets.
When returned. Felix had new
friend. Il like your dog" said my
boy" Il had never asked his name. }
You don't want to sell him, do your
he asked In truly business tone.
NO." said |. he's my burglar
alarm"
"Oh. course" said he.
We boarded a car, and | was more
delightfully."- entertained during tina,
half hour than | had been for many
a day.
PA said for me TO he sure and
thank you for my ride and the ticket
and l guess better do 1t now. ]
might forget. you know, II have O
perfectly splendid time"
Your papa Is gentleman, and
you give him my best wishes fol
many happy returns of the day"
He looked earnestly at me. %
guess | 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 ul
that long road TO the benches with
his little warm hand In mine was de.
lightful. My pulses beat with hls, my
eyes saw with his eyes, my feet kept
time with his.
And then the game-how We did
shout and wave our handkerchiefs
and stand up to get the best view!
was as merry as my boy OF eight. |
didn't want the game to come to an
end-but alas! Il did. We went home
tired. but happy.
"Good.by," he said, at my gate.
"Good.by, laddie." said I. Come In
and SEQ Felix next Saturday"
"All right" he called. as his feet
kicked up the dust In the road.
| WAS alone with my thoughts.
"And whose shall receive one such
little child receiveth me-"