Semi-weekly herald., 1914-02-02
ONE TOUCH OF NATURE.

following true narrative, the magazine
offers series prizes
for tales of travelling men-things
coming under their personal knowled-
ge. Here is the story, 'tOne Touch of
Nature"
1t was Sunday in the big hotel. 1t
was cheerful and warm enough with
in, but out on the street the snow
was coming in gusts from the north
west, the home and birthplace of the
blizzard. before it starts on it's mad
career of destruction.
The door swung open, and midget
of newsboy stepped inside, covered
with snow from head to foot. His
face was very red, and the one ear
his scant cap refused TO cover looked
nearly frozen. He hesitated but few
seconds to get his bearings; then,
as the gruff hardware man was near
est, he made straight for him.
'News?" he said, in a thin, piping
voice; but the man with the iron
face scribbled away unnoticing.
News 2" again with hesitating step
forward.
This time the man looked up with
MS customary scowl and a whats
that?" loud enough to be heard on
the second floor.
The boy said nothing; but pulled a
mittenless red, benumbed hand out of
his pocket and clumsily picked out
paper and held it toward him.
Then the hardware man straighten-
ed up and looked the boy up and
down, and, without noticing the ex-
tended paper, said where's your
ether mitten?"
"Hain't got none" said the boy.
"Whnt are you wearing such hat
as that for? You'll freeze your
ears
The boy was evidently bored. He
shifted his feet little and said, Its
all I've got. News
"And your shoes-look at EN-! Why,
you haven't any overshoes on" he
fairly roared, "and no overcoat to
seeak of Say, what are you out sell
ling papers for day like this ?"
Got TO-" said the boy bashfully,
and then with am effort added. "Ain't
got much coal"
The oil man had walked softly up;
the little dude from Indianapolis had
followed; Jake the clothing man had
shown interest; and the groceryman
had moved his chair over and sat
down near them to listen.
Then the clerk noticed the boy for
tho first time, and sang out, boy
you'd better move oh!" and the boy
started.
The hardware man was on his feet
in minute, and with heavy hand
OF the boys shoulder he roared at
the clerk, "Hold on therel This boy
don't move until I get ready. How
many papers have you Sonny" 2"
''Ten."
Boys he said, well buy him out,
and nothing less than ten cents goes"
He took the papers from the boys
arm and handed them about, and ten
men paid ten cents apiece for them.
Boys said he again, "think of
little fellow like him out such a day
as this half dressed!"
Then a man spoke up. perhaps
some of us have some samples we
could spare. Here are some over
shoes that | think will just fit him."
and he stopped down and put the boys
feet into them.
Jake said not word; but went to
one Of his many trunks marked
Youths and brought out an over
coat that just fitted.
A man who sold caps and gloves
was the next contributor.
The little fellow from indianapolis
seemed to think it was up to him.
He sold white goods. Perhaps there
was not much he could do. He turn
ed away, wiping his eyes suspiciously,
opened long case behind the clerks
desk, and brought cLt a silk musIier
and ties it around the boys neck.
The :. Gerry nar had nothing tut
some candy hat ne added hatf dol
lar to g.
The hardware man COY cred the front
OF the / g., nth his portly form md
put something into his hand, no one
knew what. and said in husky voice,
run along now, Sonny. You've had
good days business"
The boy stood moment in the
doorway facing the crowd of travelling
men. He tried to speak; but in vain.
Then with a profound bow he passed
out into the streed and the storm,
and the voice of the man who wore the
pitcher and torch badge of Gideon fell
like benediction;
"And little child shall lead them. y
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A MAN IN DEMAND.
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