The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-12-21


woman said, simply. She stopped
and taking Bennie's face between
her hands kissed him once. Then
she stepped aside and stood quite
still, looking after the little fig
ure that passed out of the court
room with his hand in that of a
big, kindly police officer. She
looked until the big door had
opened and closed upon them.
Then-well. it was just another
newspaper story. 1t made a good
one. That evening | told Ernest
about him, and Blackie, because |
could not get his grave little face
out of my mind.
l wondered IL those who had
charge of him now would take the
time to battle the little body, and
brush the soft hair until it shone,
and tie the gay plaid six tie as
lovingly as Daddy" Arnett of the
Detention Home had done.
Then it was that |, quite unwit-
tingly, stepped into Bennie's life
There was an anniversary in one
of the orphan homes, and the
story fell to me. l found the or
phan home to be typical of its
kinda big, dreary, prison-like
structure. The woman at the door
did not in the least care to let me
in. Finally she led me down a
long corridor and departed in
search of the matron.
The next moment the matron
stood in the doorway. She was a
mountainous, red-faced woman
with warts on her nose.
Good afternoon" l said, sweet
ly.
Then | began to explain my er-
rand. Criticism of the Home? No
indeed, assured her. At last, con-
vinced OF my Observation-Disclosures
she reluctantly guided me about
the big, gloomy building
There were endless flights OF
shiny stairs, and endless stuffy
fireless rooms, until we came to a
| door which she flung open, dis.
| closing the nursery. 1t seemed to
me that there were hundred
babies-babies of all sizes and
ages and types. They glanced ur
at the opening of the door, and
then a dreadful thing happened.
Every child that was able tc
walk or creep scuttled into the
| farthest corner and remained
quite still, with a wide-eyed ex.
preston of fear on every face.
They are afraid of her!" my
sick heart told me. What does
she do to them? l can't stand this
I'm going"
| | mumbled a hurried "Thanl
| you to the fat matron as | turned
to leave. At the head of the stairs
there was a great door. l stopped
before it-God knows why!-and
pointed toward it.
What is in that room?"
asked.
The stout matron hustled on
rafting her keys as she walked.
"That-oh, that's where we
keep the incorrigibles."
MAY see them?" I asked
again prompted by that inner
voice.
There is only one" She gradg.
ingly unlocked the. door. using one
of the great keys that swung from
her waist. The heavy black door
swung open.
During one dreadful, breathless
second l stood staring, while my
heart stood still. Then-"Bennie!'
| cried. And stumbled toward him
"Bennie-boy!"
The little, .unkempt figure rush.
ed into my arms with crazy, in
articulate cry. Down on my knees
on the bare floor | held him close
close! And his arms were about
my neck as though they never
should unclasp. .r.-.-e
Take me away! Take me
away!' His wetcheek wasp ressed
against my own streaming one.
81 want my mother / want Daddy
Arnett! Take me away"
I wiped his cheeks with my
notebook or something, picked him
up in my arms and started for the
door. | had quite forgotten the fat
matron.
What are you doing?" she
asked, blocking the doorway with
her huge bulk.
I'm going to take him back
with me. Please let me! I'll take
care of him until the year Is up.
He shan't bother you any more. "
THAT is impossible" she said
coldly. 'He has been sent here
by the court for a year, and he
must stay here. Besides, he is a
stubborn, uncomfortable child"
Uncomfortable! He's nothing
of thek ind! Why don't you treat
him as a child. should be treated,
instead of like a little animal?
Why, he's the most lovable--!
And he's only a baby!"
She only stared her dislike, her
little pig eyes grown smaller and
more glittering.
"You great-big-thing!"
SnIlthCu dt hCi lhO Ill III III ldtou
child. With the tears streaming
down my cheeks I unclasped Ben
MES cold hands from about my
neck. He chung to me, frantical-
ly, until l had to push him away
and run.
When I reached the office
made straight for Blackie's smoke
filled sanctum. When my tale was
ended he let me cry all over his
desk. with my head buried in a
heap of galley-proofs and my tears
watering his paste-pot. He sat
calmly by, smoking. Then!
II done q favor for Wheeling,
once" unused he.
I glanced up, quickly. "Oh,
Blaokis, do you think"
mo. l don't But then again.
Won can't never tell. That was