Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1928-01-13

ut amt a badge. It's a star from de
sky. See, here's where 1t was pinned IN.
Benny Mishkin got from an angel in a
nightgown."
"Ho ho-ha ha-say, Ma, dis is good"
Whats this gibberish you're talkin'?"
demanded Mrs. Riley. what foolishness
have you? Sure, that's nothin' but a tin
made of fire. And angels. Acushla, don't
wear nightgowns. They wear shiny golden
robes and play on harps."
Honest, Mammal"
Sure, kid" corroborated the amused
Tommy. "Benny's kiddin' va"
Nora's world crashed about her in the
first and bitterest establishment of her
life. 1t hurt her worse than a blow.
Benny, her pal, the guy that could walk
she could eat, was making fun of her.
Still faced, striving to hold back the
tears, she pushed back her plate.
Eat your dinner, darlint," coaxed
Mrs. Riley.
Don't want no dinner" She got up
from the table and walked stiffly toward
the stairs. She had almost reached them
mother heard the sobs that shook her as
she descended.
"Ho ho-ha ha," laughed Tommy.
SMACK
Mrs. Riley's hand descended heavily
upon her amazed first born. Belatedly,
she realized she had hurt in her daugh-
ter that precious gift OF faith that Is the
heritage Of the Irish: the faith that takes
for granted fairies n l~eprechauns, the
keening manshee and the terrible Little
People" who live under rose leaves and
hedges and put a murrain on your cat
tie and send unhappiness to your house
If you offend them. She knew this and
anger at herself overlooked and engulfed
her son.
You'd destroy a child's dreams. you
amadhon," she said. You and your tin
badge She got up from the table and
leaning on the window she sent forth
her mother call. MORA. MORAL"
Gut Nora was beyond call. She was
two blocks up the street looking for
Benny. 1t was an hour before she found
himA He came swinging down the street
on his crutch. absorbing his world
through busy young eyes. When he
caught sight Of Nora he increased his
pace until he reached her-and came up
on a red haired little Fury.
You're a liari" She choked. dis star
amt outta de sky. You got 1T IN a ash
barrelll"
"No, Nora" protested Benny.
IT hate yal I never want to see va
againl III never speak to val AXE your
, old tin badgel" And she hurled it into
the street.
DON'T t'row it awayl" cried the agon-
lied Benny. Save it. / give a kuarter
for It,"
He hobbled out and picked 1t up
rubbed it on his pants and put 1t in his
waist. Nora, sitting OF the curb, was
crying as II her heart would break. Benny
ran his hand softly through her hair.
Nora" he pleaded. "Lissen, Nora"
go away / hate yai / hate val"
Benny shrugged his shoulders and
smiled a wry smile in back OF which
were tears almost visible.
"All right, Nora" he said. All right
I'll go. l Just got 1t to make you lee
good. G'by, Nora"
Shit ceased sopbing and listened to the
clup of his crutch upon the tagging al
he limped away. Suddenly, her angel
left her and she wanted him, wanted tt
play with him and listen to his stories
She jumped up from the curb.
Benny" she cried. "Oh,
But Benny shook his head and dumped
patiently home.
'Momma," he asked casually. "Nobod,
never got q star outta de sky, did deyP'
Mrs. Mishkin saw the boys eyes were
fun of tears.
mo, baby" she said. ignoring then
with o mothers tact. THE stars are a.
old as the world. And what would vol
want with one?"
"Nothin' Mamma" said Benny. Moth
In. / Just wanted to know"
That night Mrs. Mishkin dreamed
dream. She was with Benny, standing
in the darkness on a high mountain
There came the rumble OF thunder n
crash and suddenly q star shot forth
beam Of light. 1t struck the boy ant
knocked him down.
Then there happened q strange thing
For Benny lay where he had fallen ant
another, q wondrous Benny who entities
an unearthly light and whose legs wer
whole, rose and stepped into the ray. II
waved to her and sped swiftly TO Tn
star. She tried to follow but somethin
pushed her back. She picked up tn
Benny who lay on the ground. His bod
was cold. She knew