The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1918-11-21
cursion when it was explained that the
FAMILY l;vad on Repphpr street

family lived on Beecher street.
They walked past the gloomy, rick
ETY. wooden dwellings, through throngs
of dirty urchins who hooted and made
faces at them, and finally came to a
dingy opening that proved to be the
entrance to flight of stairs.
Up these steps the. girls stumbled,
their way lighted by only few rays
that sifted through the cracks in the
flimsy outside wall. One Of the party
knocked at the door that confronted
them at the top Of the stairs.
Footsteps sounded on the floor, evil
IDENTIFY those of child. Some one
fumbled at the knob and the door was
swung open to reveal a chubby, round
faced boy of about four years.
A MANNED, disreputable toy bear was
suspended by its leg from one hand OF
the tot, who blinked curiously at his
four visitors. The opening Of the door
permitted warm, pungent odor to
penetrate the hall and each Of the girls
involuntarily shuddered.
"Who is it?" called voice from
within-a weak, plaintive voice, that
of a woman.
The tot, who was clothed in nom
descript suit of several materials and
colors, turned and called:
"T'ree dirls."
"Come right in," answered the voice.
IT am I'LL and cannot come to the
door,"
The girls entered and noticed that
the pungent odor increased. The room
was permeated with an unhealthful
warmth, caused by keeping all the win.
dows closed and thus conserving the
heat radiated from the small wood
stove.
The designs on the wall paper had
all but become eradicated by accum'
ulation of smoke, grease and dust. On
one wall was a framed picture Of q
young man and woman evidently q
bridal couple. A row Of picture post
cards was the only other decoration.
| A table occupied the center Of the
room, and nearby were three-legged
stool and dilapidated rocking chair
The floor was covered with a faded
rag carpet
'Here am" called the woman, from
the dingiest corner of the room ."Don''
look around. I'm too Ill to keep thu
place clean, and Jimmy here Is tot
young"
The girls found her lying on a nan
row bed, or rather, a bunks She wal
frall and emaciated, but she carried
a pleasant smile Of greeting.
Jimmy lowered near, still clinginl
to the bear. Ethel. lover Of children
picked him up in her armss
my, my, what clothes!" she nun
INJURED to herself, but Jimmy over
heard her.
"Tm donna have new suit" he an
nounced. MANS donna bring it."
"Who do you" Ethel began. blu
at that moment Jimmy, hearing famil
lar sounds on the stairs, scramble'
from her arms and dashed toward tn
door.
"He hears his man." explained tn
woman on the bed NEARLY ever
night he brings us food, and some
times candy or something to wear. Il
found Jimmy on the street one nigh
and came home with him. Jimmy toll
me his man was going to bring him
new suit today"
The door was flung open and q youn
man entered, placed bundle on tn
stool and gathered the little b. In hi
arms.
my man." breathed Jimmy, huggin
the newcomer while Ethel started fol
ward in amazement upon recognizln
him.
"Cliff!" she cried.
Clifford Eldrldge placed his huma
burden on the floor and stared In a
, constituent that equaled her own.
, So 1t was decreed that home
poverty should be the setting for
, proud, sensitive, impulsive girl to as
forglveness-and get 1t.