Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1920-12-16
LITTLE MOTHER
BY EDNA BOUTWELL,.

hastily approaching.
"Oh, I'm so glad you came" whis
pered the Winsome Lady, drawing thu
tiny figure within the room and clos
ing the door
The frail hands caressingly stroket
the brown hair For a moment there
was silence, then the Littlest Mother
spoke:
you are a dear girl, Ruth, and
love you. I'm sorry you're going. But
it's better, as you weren't made for
settlement work. Are you going to
marry the Doctor Mani"
The girl raised her head quickly.
Marry him?" she scoffed. I'D sooner
der
you say things so beautifully. But
talk TO me-" begged the Winsome Lady,
as she resumed her former position.
81 think you need love story. 1t
/ sometimes proves a cure for certain
sickness. I'll tell you my own love
story"
yours !" smiled the girl, her brown
eyes filled with a tender light.
1T was long ago" began the Lit
tlest Mother, bending her white head,
when l was girl. l lived in Ire
land, by the sea. l loved and was
loved by Tammas Wynne. One lovely
moonlight night as we strolled hand
in hand up the side of woodland hill,
/ told Tammas that was sure there
were fairies about"
Fairies-little men p" Knocked he,
"'there are no such things p"
1--WE heard peal of shrill laughter,
but could see no one. Then Tammas
turned bOyishly to me and said: Wait
for me, Ellen, wait for me! With
this he was gone. waited for long
time and then, being childishly afraid,
1 went after him." Here the speakers
voice broke, but she continued gravely
as if grown weary with the telling
"At the top of the hill l found Tam
mas-dead. Dead, with a smile on his
face, and in his hands-a tiny silver
button The fairies had punished him
and left their sign"
The girls eyes were luminous with |
unshed tears. But you don't believe |
that-do you?" Queried the girl as they |
both arose.
"Of counsel Everyone believed it
But it's children I've always wanted.
At night l dream of them, with their
little hands that they hold out to me-
1 went to night school for long years
to be a teacher; but | came here,
out of pity. Il think today is my birth
day, and I've saved enough to buy
a ticket to Ireland. l don't feel like
fact don't feel very well
-" She hesitated as the door opened
and revealed the handsome debonair
doctor.
81 heard the story" he announced
flushing, land Ruth forgive me I'm
not in the service, because 1 belong to
the secret service.
"Oh, my dear" and the girl kissed
him. "Why didn't you tell me?
thought you were a slackerr"
And the Littlest Mother, being !
worldly wise, slipped quietly out into
he crowded street.
Suddenly she heard her name called.
She turned and confronted a big Irish
policeman known as Tim Reilly. BY n
he arm he held a girl with painted =
Ups and wide, frightened eyes. +
In his rich brogue he narrated to S
he tiny lady, how the "slick un," as t
he girl was famed, had been caught p
tealing again. t.
San it's me as will give 'er her p
Oos," he grinned. V
LET me whisper in your ear, Tim" g
the Littlest Mother, as If =,
he did not mind the curious throng. "
Sure an l WILL" shouted Tim, ri
up; I'VE air a saint Take fl,
er if We can find good in the loikes az
her" pl
The wee lady's eyes twinkled like
ars as she drew the girl into a door III
ay, while Tim dispersed the crowd. "
Take this" she said, giving the girl ~ -,
roll of bills, land try to be better
RI" ca
The girl looked shrewdly after the D,
figure. "God-what a
oil! she Sneered, and fled.
The Littlest Mother reached her
eerless room at last, and sank wear
2 down in a chair facing the distant V
nset. u,
Below the window stood wanderer, H.
5 violin tucked lovingly beneath his
in. Seeing the weary figure, he start
to play haunting melody. fr,
The weary look fled, and the Littlest
)ther, CHANGING to raise her eyes,
We a cry Of rapture. For there, hung
the faded wall, was a picture of
: Madonna and Child-the birthday
I Of her friends.
'Tammas,' whispered the Littlest
ther, "see the baby-and look-the
ther smiles at me-"
She stretched out eager, trembling
Ids toward the picture and almost
repeated these sweet old :.
rds she loved so well: ;s