Gilpin observer., 1920-08-05
A Queer
Savings Bank
By PERcIvAL KEENE
/OoOOOooOooSo
Copyright, 1890 Western Newspaper Unior


months time that he had welded trou.
BILE and tartar. He had thought In
selecting Myra Cloud, spinster, he
would have comfort and peace, for the
lady in question he had always looked
upon as circumspect and sensible
woman and neat and economical
housekeeper. All that Myra cared
about, however, was the well-orderca
and productive farm that Alvin ownen
and possible outside resources.
At the end of the first year she in
troduced into the house her invalid
brother, Jefferson Cloud.
All Alvin really had was the farm.
and when Myra found this out she
insisted on his making 1t over to her.
One thing, however Alvin sturdily in
sisted upon-he would run 1t in his
own way. Myra grumbled when he
declined to strictly account for every
cent of the income, but he told her
firmly:
"You interfere and I'll let you run
the place yourself, and I won't lift Il
finger to help you" And this sllenced
her, for he was thrifty, industrious,
and an excellent manager in line he
thoroughly understood.
One morning, Alvin Dorsey, going
out early to begin his days duties in
the field was attracted to the front OF
the farmhouse by low, wailing cry.
1t was to find in a basket set on the
doorstep a little boy baby less than a
year old. There was no note or other
clew as to the cause of its abandon
ment, and none was ever later discov-
cred. A stray waif on the sea of hui
manity, its parents had left it to the
chances of circumstance. Alvin loved
children. He aroused his wife, excit-
ed and pleased over this break in
home monotony.
"I'll have none of II" she at once
declared Nor shall you. either. Take
the brat to the poorhouse, where it be-
longs"
Alvin tried persuasion, even bribery,
but Myra was immOvable. His heart
went out to the little abandoned refu-
gee as he started upon his enforced mis.
sion. A mile from his objective des.
tinatiOn he halted, gazed longingly at
the innocent faced child and reflected.
Just off the road was an humble cottage
where lived Ralph May and his wife.
The former was almost an invalid.
They had lost their child only year
previously, and what with the bereave-
ment and the hard fight to get enough
10 eat they had little of joy in life. AL
win made decision and entered the
house.
Mrs. May greeted him eagerly and
with tears as he told of the aban.
dOned child, and asked her to take
charge of him.
81 can help you some in the way of
occasional money" he told her, but
she paid no attention to this.
"Oh poor as we are, II will be n
blessing TO our lonely home!" she
cried and took the little sleeper In
her arms and rained welcome kisses
upon its face.
After that at least twice week
Alvin visited the May cottage. always
bringing something from the farm to
help out the family larder. One day
he appeared with an old-fashioned
globe. a circular map set in stout hol-
low stand.
Thought IL would please the little
fellow to see IL turn around when he
gets big enough To push it," he
chuckled. II was great on ceograph,
when ! was boy. and | unearthed the
thing from the attic and fixed II up and
cleaned it,"
Then hn n n
child, whom they named Alvin, after
him, in his arms, whirl the globe, and
sing childish nonsense to II.
Then came dark days In Telling
tree the old man was struck down by
n branch and lay in bed for months.
Myra tired of his care. He seemed
helpless physically and mentally. She
arranged for his care in a san,arium.
later sold the farm, and disappeared.
A year afterward the neghhors
learned she had died and the worth
less jefferson had a royal time dissi-
pa,ing her little fortune.
Two years went by. One day Mrs.
Mny was in her garden. with little AL
win following her about chattering hap
PLY, when familiar figure came into
view. bent, decrepit. but recognizable
as Alvin Dorsey.
"Got all well, Mrs. May" he hailed
cheerily. "nnd this is little Alvin. I've
got neither home nor friends left. but
] huncerod for a sight of the dear lit
lie fellow"
''You have both" declared Mrs.
May, "as long as we have a roof or
dollar"
'The old globe?" observed Alvin in
a pleased way, as his hostess led the
way into the house, little Alvin hold
ing 20 the hand Of the luckless wan
dcrer returned.
Mrs May FASTENED to prepare n
meal. When she returned 10 the sit