The Irish standard., 1915-01-09

orally spent in candy or toys for the
boys and girls who had learned that
ne was their very good friend, and
who greeted him with a iolly "Hello"
when they met him.
Bennie's great delight was to read
the weekly newspaper published in
his town. This was slow work and
consumed great deal of time, but
then he had more time than any
thing else, so that did not count.
Punctually at the hour the paper
was off the press, Bonnie appeared
at the door of the printing office.
Paper out yet?" was his never vary
ing inquiry, and when the damp sheet
was handed him, with mumbled word
of thanks he hurried to a convenient
box on the shady side of the livery
stable, in the summer, or stool near
the stove in the grocery store in the
winter, and devoured the contents of
the paper from one end to the other.
Occasionally some of the loiterers
about the place would ask whats
doin', Bennie?" or, tell us the news,
can't you?" to which Bennie would
reply "nothin'," or there amt no
news 'cept Mis- Perkins gave party
last night" Takes him mighty long
time to read paper that amt got no
news in it," would be the comment of
some one who was waiting for his
chance at the same sheet.
Now, obtuse as Bonnie seemed to
all Impressions, he had hobby, re-
ligiously kept secret within himself
but none the less important. His one
ambition in life was to see his name in
the paper, his own name in print.
Never once had this wonderful thing
happened. He was so obscure, his
existence had been so monotonous, he
had so few opportunities of mixing
with his townsmen in events which
came within the scope of reporters
pencil, that he could not hope that it
would ever occur. Once he came
pretty near it. Florence, the daughter
of the editor, pretty, kind-hearted
girl of seventeen, made up a picnic
party, to. go nutting. I'm going to
ask Bonnie to co." she told her moth
er, and in answer to that lady's sur
prised exclamation, went on: "He's al
ways hanging round the office and he
looks so lonesome and sad and no one
ever seems to take notice of him. It
will do him good, and then, too, he can
carry my lunch basket and help pick
up the nuts"
So, greatly to his surprise and de-
light, Bonnie was made one of the
merry picnic party. He carried Miss
Florrie's lunch basket, gathered the
nuts as they were shaken from the
trees by the agile boy climbers,
shared the good dinner provided and
was so evidently happy and contented
that his young hostess felt compensat-
ed for her thoughtfulness, in spite of
few sarcastic remarks from her COM
panions.
Bonnie could hardly wait until that
weeks paper came out. He was quite
sure that his fondest hope was at last
to be realized, and that at least he
might figure in the account of the pic
mic as among those present" But
alas, he was not mentioned. Evident
ly the smart young reporter considered
him as supernumerary who was not
worth noticing. But he became loyal
admirer of the young girl-never OBJ
trusive, but ever ready to render her
service whenever occasion offered. She
was the one bright spot in his life, the
only one who had ever given him a
kindly thought.
1t was drawing near to Thanksgiv-
ing. The High School had planned an
entertainment at the Opera House, to
be followed by supper, in both of
which functions Florence Black was to
take an active part. She employed
Bonnie in various ways as her assist
ant, and promised him good supper
when the affair was over, and early
and late he was on hand awaiting the
orders of his young lady,"
In the afternoon of the day before
Thanksgiving Florence was Fastening
down town on her way to the Opera
House, her faithful attendant SLOUGH
ing along close behind her, ready at a
moments notice to obey her slightest
wish. Just as she started across the
street big touring car, one of num-
Der on a "cross country rum swung
around the corner at high rate of
speed. The girl was directly in its
path and for second she stood mo-
tionless as though paralyzed-then a
hand from behind her seized her and
flung her to one side out of danger,
while her rescuer was caught by the
ponderous machine and thrown heav-
lily against the opposite curbstone. A
few gasps and the soul of Bonnie had