The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-06-19

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One Easter Sunday morning a cir
about twelve years old sailed forth
from a spick and span farmhouse to
60 10 Sunday school. On the way she
overlook a boy about her own age
whose forlorn appearance touched her
heart. He was out at the elbows, out
at the knees of his trousers. and his
toes appeared between the upper part
Of his shoes and the soles. The ex-
preston on his face was In accord
with his apparel-it was one Of misery.
Aren't you going to Sunday SCHOOL,
asked the girl.
| Sunday SCHOOL, the boy repeated,
as though he had not heard Alright.
YES. This is Easter Sunday. Didn't
you know that all the children go to
Sunday school and all the grownups go
to church,"
The boy looked at the girls clothes,
then at his own. She was a picture of
neatness, he picture Of poverty.
Il couldn't go to Sunday school look
ing this way, could II" he said.
The girl looked doubtful. Then sud
denly an idea seemed to come to her
IF you did" she said, "they would
all look at you as If they were afraid
you'd touch them. Come with me.
Ill show them that you're friend Of
mine - ..---..1f
The boy demurred, and the girl In,
sisted. She took him with her to Sun
day School. but she could not get him
forward among the other children. He
took back seat, where he was not no
nce4 But the girl sat beside him.
There was an open window near them.
and q draft was coming in on them.
The boy shivered. and the girl took
off her coat and put It over his shoul-
ders. ---ss-fs....s
During the exercises collection was
taken up. One of the boys passed the
plate to where these two were sitting,
but the girl made no move to put in a
contribution. OF course her friend.
she ragged boy, had nothing to give,
out the boy who was taking up the
collection wondered, for the girl was
the daughter of the richest farmer
thereabout and was liberal giver.
That Mary Treusdail gave no Easter
Offering was indeed a surprise.
When the services were over Mary
and her protege went out together,
and he insisted on hurrying away be-
fore the others could get view of his
dilapidated condition. When they came
to fork In the road and no one was
near Mary took five dollar bill from
her pocket.
This was to have been my Easter
Offering at Sunday school, But, you
see, l couldn't give so much when you
had nothing to give. 1t would have
made you feel ashamed. So l thought |
I'd keep it for an Easter Offering for
you"
He drew back There was that in
him which had led him to appreciate
her delicacy in avoiding hurting his
feelings, and 1t was this same appre-
citation that led him to decline her gift.
She understood at once.
Take 1t as lOan," she said. "Some
day small amount like this will be
nothing to you and you can repay me-"
There was hopeless look on the
boys face, shamed look, as he per.
mitted her to thrust the bill upon him.
He said nothing. but his eyes spoke
volumes. She took his hand in hers.
pressed it, then turned to go to her
home, he following her wiStfully with
his sad eyes
This was the first kindness that he
had received from stranger, a kind
ness shown him by one near his own
age. He stood. occasionally dropping
his eyes 10 the bill In his hand, then
raising them TO the retreating figure
OF the rlrl who had given it to him.
Ihen ca ne great change In him. He
mad recciN ed an incentive. It seemed
to him that an angel had been sent
from heaven to lift him out OF the
slough of deSpond. resolution came
70 MIN TO he worthy Of the donor
With the encouragement he had re- J
ceived 1t seemed to him that he could
move the world.
The sun rose on another Easter morn.
ng twelve years later and shone on
he same location where Mary Treus.
1ail took the ragged boy to Sunday
school. Upon the hill was the Treus.
lail farmhouse, but it had LOST IT'S
'pick and span appearance. The farm.
,r had lost succession of crops and
lad died with mortgage on his farm
Mary was struggling along trying TO
ave the property BY raising vegetables
md such other produce as she could
'aise without the Investment of CAM.
al
Easter came late that year. and the
hr was balmy and fragrant with
opening buds. An automobile PASSED
'Ver rise in the ground and. de.
cending declivity. stopped at the
ork or the roads where Mary Treus.
lail had made her loan to the ragged
10Y. In the car was a young man |
rom the neatness Of his dress one
would not suspect he was that very |