The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1920-08-07
LITTLE MOTHER
BY EDNA BOUTWELL,.

The old-fashoned clock chimed G.
AS ii ii We're signal. the Winsome
Lady opened the door, and peered
down the dusky hall, her eyes filled
with welcome for the little figure
hastily approaching.
"Oh, I'm so glad you came" whis-
pered the Winsome Lady. drawing the
J tiny figure within the room and clos
ing the door,
The frail hands caressingly stroked
the brown hair. For a moment there
was silence, then the Littlest Mother
spoke:
You are dear girl, Ruth. and l
love you. I'm sorry you're going. But
its better, as YOU weren't made Ior
settlement work. Are you going to
marry the Decor MANI"
The girl raised her head quickly.
Marry him?' she scoffed. I'D sooner
die"
You say things so beautifully. But
talk 10 me-" begged the Winsome Lady,
AS she resumed her former position.
Il think you need love story. 1t
sometimes proves cure for aEertain
sickness. I'll tell you my own love
story
Yours" smiled the girl, her brown
eyes filled with tender light.
1T was long ago began the Lit
tlest Mother, bending her white head,
when l was d girl l lived in Ire
land, by the sea. | loved and was
loved by Tammas Wynne. one lovely
moonlight night as We stroled hand
in hand up the side Of woodland hill,
l told Tammas that was sure there
We're fairies about
'Fairies-little men -" Knocked he,
there are no such things
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 q long
time and then being childishly afraid,
| 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 | 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 We're luminous with
unshed tears. But you don't believe
that--do you?' queried the girl as they
both arose.
"Of course. Everyone believed it
But it's children I've always wanted.
At night | dream of them, with their
little hands that they hold out to me.
| went to night school for long years
to be teacher; but L came here,
out of pity. l think today is my birth
day, and I've saved enough to1buy
a ticket TO Ireland. | don't feel like
cleaning-ln fact | don't feel very well
=" She hesitated as the door opened
and revealed the handsome, debonair
doctor.
Il heard the story" he announced,
flushing land Ruth, forgive me! I'm
not in the service, because | belong to
the secret service.
''Oh, my dear" and the girl kissed
him. why didn't you tell me?
thought you were a slacker."
And the Littlest Mother, being
worldly wise, slipped quietly out, into
the crowded street.
Suddenly she heard her name called.
She turned and confronted a big Irish
policeman known as Tim Reilly. BY
the arm he held a girl with painted
lips and wide, frightened eyes.
In his rich brogue he narrated to
the tiny lady, how the 'slick un," as
the girl was famed, had been caught
stealing again.
An it's me as will give 'er her
docs" he grinned.
Let me whisper in your ear, Tim"
commanded the Lttlest Mother, as if
she did not mind the curious throng.
Sure an l WILL" shouted Tim,
Strengthening up; we air saint. Take
her if We can find good in the loikes
of her"
The wee lady's eyes twinkled like
stars as she drew the girl into door
way, while Tim dispersed the crowd.
Take this she said, giving the girl
a roll of bills, "and try to be better
girl"
The girl looked shrewdly after the
disappearing figure. 'God-what a
fool :" she sneered, and fed.
The Littlest Mother reached her
cherries room at last, and sank wear
lily down in a chair facing the distant
sunset.
Below the window stood a wanderer,
his violin tucked lovingly beneath his
chin. Seeing the weary figure, he start
ed TO play haunting melody
The weary look fed, and the Littlest
Mother, CHANGING to raise her eyes,
gave cry OF rapture. For there, hung
on theSfaded wall, was picture Of
the Madonna land Cnild-the birthday
gift of her friends.
"Tammas," whispered the Littlest
Mother, 'see the baby-and look-the
mother smiles at me-"
She stretched out eager, trembling
hands toward the picture and almost