Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1921-04-21
The Big Hearted
Miser
~
20. 1891. western Newspaper Union)
By HAZEL SMITH

way where the pavement was mos
shaded. for the sun was blisterini
hot. As the old man turned the cor
ner the wind caught him like
cyclone. 1t sent his old-fashioLet
high hat rolling and tumbling behint
him.
Immediately crowd Of urchinf
playing In a vacant lot just on the
street niude n dive for the frayed
discolored headgear.
Get II, Get i'll" shouted jubilant
voices. 'Old Wilson'S hat. Put 1t on
the post and peg at III"
Boys. boys." chided the young lady,
throwing mp her veil and showing a
face tear-staIned hut resolute enough
even IN its rare prettiness to daunt
the lads. She managed to catch hold
Of big hoy who had secured thv>hat.
"Give II to me-" she said firmly.
1.-THE old gentleman Is waiting for It."
"Hunph himl" cried the lad, con-
temptuousIy. why, he's only old
Miser Wilson. Take It, though-just
because you're so pretty. and are 60
ing to be our teacher"
The girl smiled brightly and went
up to the old man.
1.-THE wind blew your hat away"
she said.
"And you rescued II from those
young torn,ents." broke In the old
man sharply. II saw II all. | sup
pose" and his keen eyes sparkled.
and he chuckled. "they told you who
I was"
"Yes-Mr. Wilson,"
"And the old miser? Hey. did they
say that? You don't want to 90
around doing favors for old misers,
do you, young ladyT
"Why. II they deserve It, surely"
you're the right sort. Miss Nellie
Merrill" suddenly spoke out the old
fellow. "Y0u see, I know you. You
are the young lady they sent for yes
terday TO teach the new school here.
They pointed YOU out to me as you
went to see the school trustees this
morning You'll make a good teacher,
I can see that. and I'm going to tell
the trustees So"
"They have given me my expenses
and trife more for coming down
here" said Nellie. "They were a lit
tie premature. you see. Under the
law they cannot begin school until
there are 20 possible scholars between
the ages of six and eighteen In the
district"
81 suppose you've just been study
ing yourself half to death to qualify
for the wretched 500 month and
board you were to get here" he in
quired with manifest interest.
II am an orphan, and have no fam
lily dependence" said Nellie. II feel
pretty bad at missing this splendid
position
"AE orphan. eh?" repeated old Ga
briel thOughtfully. $50 is my boy
that is. my adopted son, Sidney. He's
away at college now, studying to be
4 lawyer. If I'm miserly, it's for him,
dear boy. So, Miss" and the old man
seemed stirred by a strong and sud-
den resolution, you were to board
with Miss Briggs, II everything went
smooth. weren't your
"Why. yes, believe that Is the
name of the lady"
"WelI. I'm going to take you there
now"
1t was the next afternoon when old
Gabriel appeared. He was sprightly
md smiling.
II guess there must be a genuine,
warm spot somewhere In this hard
I'D heart Of NINE he said, 'for old
Wilson, the miser feels about as
Happy as you will when I tell you
hat the full fifty quota Of scholars
las been provided for"
"Oh, Mr.. Wilson, can It be true7'
.ried Nellie joyfully.
Eyes, you can start In tomorrow,
md L hope you drive some respecta.
,ility into that unruly mob Of boys
Who wanted to peg my Old hat. My
Of 1t. In the family since
he 4o's. Miss Merrill u
"Hcw did you ever influence the
chool trustees?" inquired Nellie.
"Just moved squatter's family
With eight children over the town
hip line into vacant house own
inside the school district" explained
Id Gabriel with chuckle Of salts
action and pride.
Life became a dream Of beauty to
leliie in the lovely little village. At
he end of the term, the first exhibi.
lon day, Mr.. Wilson marched proud
y into the place with his adopted
on, just home from college.
The young man decided that II
vas relief to sit for two hours and
axe in the simple, yet interesting
Exercises Of the graduation day OF
alf dozen proud children into class
wo 1t charmed him to note the rare
atience and kindness Of the young
iri fighting her first battle in the
rena Of life for her daily bread.
All this young Sidney told his
dopted father.
The sly old man heard Of skating
nd coasting parties after that. The
ay before the new term began he [
allied Sidney to him.
"See here, young man." he OBJ
erved. II never find Nellie at home !
hen call now. I never find you al
ONE at all. As a lonely old man. [
t me suggest that II would be fine {
ling to get her into the family"
"why." smiled Sidney. broadly end
apply. "what a coincidencel sug.
ssted the same thing to Nellie Only
st EVENING" &