Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1922-01-18
A LIT TIL CHILD
BY JULIA a. ROBINSON.
0010Oonr7c, - o.,1,,1l

Jack walked slowly homeWard, with
bowed head and knitted brow. Home!
Was 1t home to which he was going 3
Could that bare room In the lodging
house be called home? Once he had
had home, coy and cheerful, with
little wife to make him happy, but
they had quarrelled. He hardly re-
membered what twas about. In bits
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. a r.. 81 s:s,@
1t 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
of the past. He had kept the date.
Sally was 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. '@S.. 49, (. ~
Jack had loved this fiery young thing
whom he had won. = I:
To drown his sorrow Jack had
plunged into business. He had made
money, but it brought him no happi-
ness. Once he had gone back, remorse-
fully, longing for Sally. The old town
looked as it did the morning he went
away. y. i. "
The great elm tree spread it's friend
~ branches in front of the cottage,
as Of yore, (Sally loved that tree).
Lilacs were in bloom. The house had
"a friendly air. He almost expected to
see Sally open the door, and come out
with her old bright smile. N - :.
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 do for you?' s.... "
Jack stared. lis does = where's
Sally?" he jerked. - = 80 -, !.
"Sally?" laughed the man: who's
Sally2" .:,.. ..,..~> -s-....@. * a.. =.
"Sally--she lived here stammered
lack. =. ~ ~ ~. ct ..5.<>.
II: don't know anyone by that name,"
returned the man. mo roneabY 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. rs she
at homer" 49,; ; 81. ~. - . :
"Oh, Mrs. Mason" the stranger an
swered. "She left two years ago. We
bought the house Of her. She needed
money, 1 believe; was in a tight, place
and had to give it up to raise funds.
Jack gasped. ::"Gone! Where. did she.
go?. ~.n.s =. .#=..s-.; ..,,ri..ye,rss
SORRY can't inform you;'niSan-::
swered the man. "She left towhttss 'sa1 Z
Jack turned in d daze and stumbled
Into the street. All the sunshine Had
gone out of life. Sally gone! a4nsal !.
1t was a drizzling storm, but what
did it matter to the man dragging him
self to his lodgings? :2He; reached the
crossing. Vehicles obstructed the pas
sage, and he waited. -, ~~:.~.,:, i:
Many others waited, too. Among
them was little child, who feared to
cross. She looked timidly at the heavy
teams and the slush in the street,athen
carefully scanned the faces of those
about her. With look of relief and
a smile on her baby face, she crowded
her way to Jacks side, placing her
tiny hand in his. = ~
Please, SIR take me across" she
hsped, her blue eyes looking into his
with child's confidence. .:*.,-':4 ), o&.es5 !
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. -.f&=
"Tell me where you live and l will
take you home" he said, new inter-.
est awakening in his heart.
She led him down side street. chat
ting all the way. -...--.; "a -
Have you baby grip she asked.
my mammals got me, but she cries
all the time, and when ! say my pray:
ers I pray for daddy to come home"
She stopped before tenement
house. .E ,s-> RI
Here it is,"' she cried, as she sprang
into her mothers arms. -sis1@
Roxy, It's SO late " cried the wom-
an. Twas afraid you were lost"
She turned to thank the stranger tor
bringing her child home, but started
with cry. :.S. i. Z. 5s z,.z 10: :.z.;;
Jack started, too. sally I" he
gasped. z. =2 &: -5.....,' .:s
Jack !" she cried, drawing away. ST, 81
TO think that should find you
thus. You have suffered
= et that pass. Why have you
come z...ssz .ss5s.
'4The baby brought me this child
Who is she7'' s..ss
"she's ours. Jack-our baby. shs
was born six months after You went
away 81 E-.z
- Our baby. and ! never knewl''
1sHOW could yOu2 1scame m fha rifn