The Press., 1913-04-16
The One ]. DlSintereSted
 Gift.
By Amelia Wright

One spring day, the Saturday before Easter Sunday, boy of fifteen trudg ing along a road with a little bundle containing his clothing stopped under a tree to eat bite of luncheon he car ried in his pocket. While he was there a girl year or two younger than he came along and said to him:
 "You look very tired. Have you come far?"
 "I have walked all the way from L. since o'clock this morning. l am go ing to the city and must reach it before night"
 'What are you going there for?''
 '"To begin to make myself independ- ent. am a half orphan with step mother. She has made it so disagree able for me at home that can stay there no longer"
 '"Have you any friends in the city to help you?'
 sANo."
 "Any money to use till you get a start?"
 "NO."
 "What will you do for food and for a place to sleep"
 "As for food, will go hungry; as for a place to sleep, hear there are benches in the parks"
 A great pity welled up into the girls eyes. Presently she unclasped her palm and uncovered a crisp five dollar bill. She looked at it longingly, then extend ed it to the boy. '"Take this," she said. My uncle gave it to me for birthday present. I am thirteen years old to- day"
 What were you going to do with it P
 "I was going to buy a sweater. All the girls have sweaters, and I have long wanted one. But you will need 1t far more than I. It may keep you till you get position"
 The offer of this money was the only sacrifice the boy had ever experienced. Thus far whatever had been given him had come from those whose duty it was to protect him, but everything he had received had come grudgingly.
 What is your nameW he asked.
 Laura"
 Laura whatP
 Laura Maryweather."
 'And you think me so despicable as to take from you your birthday gift? Nothing would induce me to do so. am going to the city to make my for tune. have learned the value of mon ey by hard knocks, and shall take more such lessons. I shall make peO- pie pay me for what they get out of me, and I shall work, work, work, and save, save, save, until am rich. But will do 1t all myself. I will be be holden to no one."
 What are you going to do with your money when you get it?"
 "Do with it? We'll, one thing will do with tt-I will hold it up to glitter before the eyes of those who have de nied me those things boy desires, and I will make them feel how easy 1t would be to make them happy, but won't"
 The girl looked at him through pair of eyes that grew big with wonder, with which was an expression of reproach. Finally she said:
 "Arent 'VOW queer OoyF
 "DO you think that tOOY'
 "Yes." .s-.4.....
 "Well, suppose I am queer since you say so. Others have told me that, but would not believe them. We'll, must get on. Goodby."
 Aren't you going to thank me for offering you my birthday giftY'
 "No. Thanks are empty words.'
 Well. you have taught me lesson In courage and independence, for which thank you very much" The boy turned away from her with put another word. She watched him till he passed out of sight. then said to herself:
 That's the Queerest boy I ever saw h my hfe" After that she went on to the village and bought a sweater. And what did the boy say of the girl IS he drew away from her? "That girl g the biggest fool ever met"
 Twenty years passed. Laura Mary weather in worldly point of view full