The Washington times., 1913-03-20
For The Times Children
Just Before It's Bedtime
BESSIE BROWNS BRAIDS.

~ NCE uron a time a little girl
named bessie Brown lived with
her mother In a cottage In a
very poor part Of a big city.
The house had belonged to the mother q
family when she was a tiny child. but
when she was left a widow and had
to take in sewing to make a living the
place soon grew shabby. The fence
fell down. the garden overgrew with
weeds and the need Of paint made the
whole place look ugly. though It had
once been a grand old house
One afternoon Bess ran home from
school to find her mother weeping. II
have not a cent in the house. Bess."
she cried. IT took Mrs. Fuller's sewing
home. but she was out OF town and I
could collect nothing"
Not a thing to eat In the house.
What would they do? Bess had felt
strange all day. her head and hands
burning and now her eyes ached till
the whole world seemed strange. But
she must help her mother out. even if
she did feel Ill. So without thinking
what she was doing. she ran swiftly
down the street toward the crowded
shops. =-
The street was full Of happy crowd,
the windows bright with toys and pretty
dresses. 1t was beginning to snow and
the girl thought of her mother at home
with no food or fire. Presently she
stopped before a big window where
there was a display Of hair. Every
shade from gold to black was shown
In the cases.
Bess caught q reflection Of her own
lovely hair In the glass. 1t was hang
ing in long, soft, wavy braids below her
waist. Without hestitating moment
the girl entered the shop.
What will you give for my hair?"
she asked exci,edy. The man looked
at the flushed face and then examined
the braids.
Two nice braids," he said. They
are naturally wavy and the shade Is
very rare. / will pay you $40 for botn.
IT will sell them then." said Bess.
So she sat In q chair and the hair
dresser, with a few swift clips OF his
scissors, cut the lovely braids from her
head. When Bess saw her bare head
and the pretty hair lying on the table
she burst into tears.
1T will grow out again at your age
said the man kindly: but while IT Is
growing wear this cap" And he gave
her a black silk cap. which fitted her
snugly.
When the man counted out the money
In new bills she was delirtous with de-
light. Now they could be comfortable
and fix up the home and get ahead
bit. So she trudged on through the
falling snow, very happy. even II her
lovely hair was gone. She would have
the garden planted and raise flowers.
the home painted and take in few
roomers and the tiny lot at the back
would do for chickens.
1t was dark when she ran into the
cheerless dining-room and dropped on
her knees before her mother. who sat
weeping in a chair. She counted out the
bills into Mrs. Browns lap-four hun
dred dollars-what a fortune to one who
had not a penny.
Mother. mother, darling,' sobbed
Bess in her excitement. II have sold
my braids--I got 500 for them-you can
rest a bit and we can have a fine din
nor now" And when the girl finished
speaking she tumbled over In faint.
1t was three weeks before she opened
her eyes and knew any one. But things
were looking different then. big fire
roared In the stove in which a dinner
was steaming, and her mother sat COM
fortably by the bed with a bright light
streaming on her book.
You have been Ill. darling. said her
mother, land the doctor said you would
have had to lose your hair any way. IL
II had not been cut. 1t II Will grow
out now curlier and prettier than ever
When one is Ill with fever the hair al
ways has to be cut.
SO Bess did not feel q bit badly about
the cap and kept busy fixing the garden