Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-12-17

y
thought
You had, eh." I exclaimed. gladly,
although | instinctively surmiss s
highest interest in me was centere0 Al
my pocketbook You had. ehs" | re-
peated with more earnestness. Well.
I'm glad of that. Charlie-or, what is
your name?"
"Squatty," said the boy Then no
ticing the lock of surprise upon my
face, he added soberly: That amt my
sure-enough name, you know; that's
what the boys calls me. Sis calls me
Jamesy"
Well, Jamesy," | continued, button
ing my collar and drawing on my
gloves, I'm mighty glad to see you.
and if you don't believe it, just go
down in that right-hand overcoat-pock-
ct and you'll find out"
The little fellow NEEDED no second in
vitation. and as he drew forth closely
folded package the look Of curiosity
upon his face deepened to one of blank
bewilderment.
He made no motion to unite the lit
tie package, and gradually the express
sion in his eyes changed to one of sus-
picion and his lips closed tightly to-
gether.
open it, said l. smiling at the puz-
zled little face; open tits for you
"Oh, here, cap said the boy, drop
ping the package on the seat, and
holding up rigid finger. you're a.
giyin' me this. amt you?"
I'm giving you the package. GER
tainly,' said |. somewhat bewildered.
open tits Christmas present for
you-open itl"
What's your Idly O. layin' fer me?"
asked the boy, with troubled and I'M
easy air. i've been a-givin you square
business right along, amt II"
why, Jamesy," said |, as / vaguely
comprehended the real drift Of his
thought, the package is for you, and
II you won't open it, will" and as I
spoke began unfolding it. Here
said |, SIS pair of gloves little girl
about your size told me to give to you.
because was telling her about you,
over where / live, and it's a clear
case and laughed lightly to myself
as | noticed slow flush creeping to
his face. And here said |, lis a
bang-up pair of good old-fashioned
socks, and, If they'll fit you, there's an
old woman that wears specs and a
mole on her nose, told me to tell you,
for her, that she knit them for your
Christmas present, and If you don't
wear them she'll never forgive you
And here" continued, is a cap, as
fuzzy as a woolly-worm. and as warm
a cap, reckon, as you ever stood on
your head in; it's cheap cap. but l
bought 1t with my own money. and
money that | worked mighty hard to
get, because | amt rich; now, If was
rich, I'd buy you a plug; but I've got
an idea that this little, old, woolly cap,
with earbobs to it, and snapper to go
under your chin, don't you see, won't
be bad cap to knock around in, such
weather as this. What do you say,
now! Try her On once" and as spoke
| turned to place it on his head.
"Oomh-ooh!" he negatively muir
INJURED. putting out his hand, his closed
lips quivering-the little frowzy head
dropping forward, and the ragged shoes
shutting on the floor
Come said |, my own voice grow
ing curiously changed; won't you take
these presents? They are yours; you
must accept them, Jamesy, not because
they're worth so very much, or be-
cause they're very fine" | continued,
bending down and folding up the par
eel, but because, you know, l want
you to. and-you must take
them; you must" and as concluded,
thrust the tightly folded parcel be.
meath his arm, and pressed the little
tattered elbow firmly over it.
There you are" said l. Freeze on
to it. and we'll skip off here at the
avenue. Come"
hardly dared to look behind me till
l found myself upon the street, but as
threw an eager glance over my shout
der / saw the little fellow following.
not bounding joyfully, but with a
solemn step, the little parcel Rugged
closely to his side, and his eyes bent
soberly upon the frozen ground
And how's Sis by this timer |
asked cheerily, finging the question
backward, and walking on more
briskly.
Bout the same" said the boy,
Frightening a little, and skipping into
a Hvelier pace.
about the same, Ell? and how's
lhat?" asked.
ooh, she can't git around much like
she used to, you know; but she's
a-gittin better all the time. She set
up mighty nigh all day Yesterday" and
as the boy spoke the eyes lifted with
the old flash, and the little frowzy
head tossed with the old defiance
why, she not down sick?" said L.,
a sudden ache of sorrow shifting me-
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