Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1916-06-08
HIS
MONUMENT
1t Was One to the Liv=
ing, Not the Dead
By AGNES G. BROGAN


shore. Eighty birthdays or more had
he known on this same sandy beach.
Then one day when the tempting
odor Of his favorite ginger cookies filled
the air Charles real life began. 1t
was group of romping Fresh Air mis-
sion children who attracted his atten-
ton. They were drawn to his place,
no doubt, by that same delicious odor.
Charles glance was forbidding CHOW.
look a-here," he commanded. "You
scamper. Don't come a-trackin' up my
steps," But one little maiden fingered
unafraid. Beneath shock of fair
curls her witching eyes looked up at
him.
eff you please" she said, II would
like three cookies" Charlie chuckled
"Three!' he exclaimed. Il want them"
the little girl told him, "for the Borin-
sky children. They have never had
any cookies" Behind their spokesman
the Borinsky children waited hope
fully.
"Land!' said Charlie ut was his
one exclamation, but he brought forth
plate heaped generously) mo.
thank you," the unusual young person
remarked. 81 did not ask for the
cookies for myself Grinning widely,
old Charlie watched her down the
sands
There's a nervy one" he murmured
delightedly. "Spunky, too' The next
morning she was back again. this time
bearing in her arms white bedrasged
kitten. UNLIMITED, she confidently walk
ed inside, appropriating Charities own
big chair you'll Keep the kitten,
please she said; at cried last night
all around the mission, and they wonld
not let it in 80
.Gass..La4d" calculated the old man. do
you think I want to take keer of
cat 3J .-eyassaesass,s
you WILL" answered Miss Goldi-
locks. She smiled winsomely. 81 like
you," she said. Charlie took up the
kitten, something unaccountable stir
ring in his breast. "You can come
here and see it,. he told her, "as often
as the mission folks'll let you" He
paused perplexedly. "You amt like
the rest of 'em," said Charlie. "How'd
you come to get here?"
Mother thought it best" the child
replied in her pretty, precise way. "1t
is hot and crowded in the city, where
we live, and we had not money to pay
for country. You see"-she raised
grieved eyes to his-"our daddy went
and left us"
LEFT little thing like you?" said
Charlie. But he added in quick en-
couragement. He'll be comm back
again. The child shook her head.
"He can't. mother says. because he's
broken his leg. People With broken
legs cannot walk" "Sho," said Char
lie slowly That's soft mother told
you.'' "And," continued the child.
mother has to work very hard to keep
US both. so she cannot go away to find
father. But if stay here long enough
Then we will all be happy again. We
were so happy! That's why they call
me JOY
SOY" whispered old Charlie For a
moment his roughened hand rested
upon the curly head. cts good
name. he said Suddenly Joy leaned
forward Couldn't you go to find ia
ther?" she asked.
Charlie smiled. 'Mebbe," he said
"mebbe. some day"
When he had finished reading his
paper that evening Charlie drew forth
in the lamplight an old tin box. Pains
takingly he made a record of the saw
ings within and added his evenings
toll. Then, with furrowed brow. he
bent to study a map and drawing
which had for him never failing inter
est and charm. The map was the plan
of a nearby cemetery, the drawing that
of a tall marble tombstone. If in this
uncertain life old Charlie had lived
and labored unrecognized it was his
one dream and determination to leave
mark after death Here his name
should be pointed out to future genera
lions. the resting place of Charles Jaf
fray-Chares James Jaffray. And SO
gloating one morning over his little
store, Joy, coming to visit her kitten
found him.
whats it for?" she asked in hel
straight. childish way. And. delight
ing at last in confdant. old Charlie
told her.
THAT" said Joy softly. will be
beautiful, and l shall come to place
flowers about your monument
When upon never forgotten day
Joy brought her mother to visit hin
Charlie thought at first that two chill
dren were coming together across tn,
sands, so young and sweet and fai
was the mother of Joy. Looking vi
with the same frank smile, she thank
ed him for his care of her daughter.
Land said the pleased old mar
that want nothing. Reckon"-h
smiled-"reckon joys my first love
She was telling me about her father,
l.