New Ulm review., 1921-12-28
A LITTLE CHILD
BY JULIA A. ROBINSON.
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20. 1921. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate )

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Jack; walked slowly homeward, with
1 bowed head and knitted brow. Home !!
Was it home to which he was going? !?
Could that bare room in the lodging
house be called homes. Once he had
had home, coy and cheerful, with a
little wife to make him happy, but
/ they had quarrelled. He hardly re-
membered what it was about. In bit
4 ter anger they had separated. He had
come to the city and had lived his
lonely life and had heard no word from
Sally since he left.
/ It came back to him In vivid recol-
lection as he walked the street, obliv-
ious Of surroundings. Perhaps it was
because it was just six years today
since he left her that he was thinking
I of the past. He had kept the, date.
| Sally was a pretty girl, with laugh
ing eyes, bright and witty saucy some
times, changeable and high-spirited; !;
| yet loving and tender, always begging
for pardon after each outbreak, arms
| clinging about his neck.
Jack had loved this fiery young thing
whom he had won. @ .s
| 20 drown his sorrow Jacks had
| plunged into business. He had made.
money, but it brought him no fhappi-,
ness. Once he had gone back, remorse-s
fully, longing for Sally. The old town
looked as it did. the morning he Went
away 4,, ....,.. IL; .f,.. .,5 ..a5
The great elm tree spread its friend
Ely branches in. front of the cottage,
as of yore (Sa11y loved that tree).
Lilacs were in bloom. The house had
friendly air. He almost expected to
see Sally open the door and come out
with her old bright smile.
The door did open, but it was not
Sally's face that met him. A man,
young and vigorous, paused on the
step as he saw Jack confronting him.
Good day, my FRIEND, he accosted.
What can I do for, you?'
Jack stared. "Is- does - where's
Sally?" he jerked.
"Sally?'' laughed the man. ''Who's
sally?"
"sally-she lived here,' stammered
Jack.
II don't know anyone by that name,o 2
returned the man. mo one by that
name lives here
Jack stared, bewildered, but soon re-
covered himself. OF course the man
would not know her by her first name:
Mrs. Mason" he explained ''Is she
at homer"
ooh, Mrs. Mason" the stranger an
swered. "She left two years ago. We.
bought the house Of her. Sheaneeded
money, l believe; was in a tight place
and Had to give it up to raise funds.'"s;,
Jack gasped.. Gone! Where did she
go?"
Sorry I can't inform you, an
sWered, the man. She left town.
Jack turned in a daze and stumbled
into the street. All the sunshine had
gone out of life. Sally gone!
1t was a drizzling storm, but what
did it matter to the man dragging him
self to his lodgings? He reached the
crossing. Vehicles Obstructed the pas
sage, and he waited
| Many others waited, too. Among
them was little child, who feared to
cross. She looked tilnidly at the heavy
teams and the slush in the street, then
carefully scanned the faces Of those
about her. With look Of relief and
smile on her baby face, she crowded
her way to Jacks side, placing her
| tiny hand in his.
PLEASE, sir, take me across she
lisped, her blue eyes, looking into his
with a child's confidence
The touch of the little hand thrilled
him. He answered, took her in his
arms, and carried her across the street.
| THANK you, SIR she beamed, as he
landed her on the sidewalk. 7S ~ aa7s5
'Te1l har arWhere you live and q tfwill5s
take you hons" he said, new inters,
est awakening in lis heart. I'll, .as.sg
She led him down a side street, chat
| ting all the way. +, 1. ~
Have you baby girl girl 2" she asked,
| My mammals got me, but she cries
all the time, and when I say my pray
ers pray for daddy to come home"
She stopped before a tenement
house.
Here it is,' she cried, as she sprang
into her mothers arms.
Roxy, it's so late!'' cried the wom-
an. Il was afraid you were lost"
| She turned to thank the stranger for
bringing her child home, but started
with a cry. ". &.
Jack started, too. "sally!" he
gasped.
"Jack!" she cried, drawing away.
ITO think that / should find you
thus. You have suffered
! Let that pass. Why have you
conne?''
"The baby brought me this CHILD
Who is she?"
"Shes ours, Jack our baby. She
was born six months after you went
away 3
"SOur baby, and | never knew!''
a'How could you? / came to the city
to get Work--Jack, I've missed you
Fso!,s II.
sSally, I've wanted you more than j
leanS tell want you now. Can't we