Year: 1877

and a smile TO us, got out at the church


corner.


Snow, l shall probably not see the


child again, yet what a pleasant pic


ture she leaves in memory, / thought


TO myself, as canght last glimpse of


the brown hat going round the corner.


But did see her again many times,


that Winter, for not long after passed


down certain street near my Winter


quarters, | came upon a flock of girls
eating their luncheon as they walked


to and fro on the sunny side-pretty.


merry creatures, all laughing and


chattering at once, rs they tossed ap-


piles from hand to hand, munched candy


or compared cookies. l went slowly to
enjoy the sight, as l do when | meet a


party of sparrOws on the common, and


was wondering what would become of
so many budding women, all of
sudden, l saw my little schoolgirl.


Yes, knew her in a minute, for she


wore the same brown hat. and the rosy
face was sparkling with fun, as she
told secrets with a chosen friend while
eating a wholesome slice of bread and


butter, as only a hungry schoolgirl
could She did not recognize me, but
/ took good look at her as | went by,
longing to know what the particular
secret was that ended in such a gale of
laughter.


After that, l often saw my girl as l
took my walk abroad, and, one day,
could not resist speaking to her when |
met her alone; for usually her mates
clustered around her like bees about
their queen, which pleased me, since it
showed how much they loved the sun
shine child.


| had paper of grapes in my hand,
and when l saw her coming whisked
out a handsome bunch all ready TO
offer, for | had made up my mind TO
speak this time. She was reading a
paper, but looked up to give me the
inside of the walk. Before her eyes
could fall again l held out the grapes
and said, just as | had heard her say to
a school-mate at lunch time, Lets go
halves" She understood at once.
laughed, and took the bunch, saying
with twinkling eyes:


''Oh, thank you they are beautiful"


Then. as we went on To the corner |
together, told her why did it, and
recalled the carriage. I'D forgotten |
all about that, 'but my conductor is
very kind and always waits for me"
she said, evidently surprised that a
should take an interest in her
small self. | did not have half time |
enough with her, for a bell rang and
away she skipped, looking back 10 nod |
and smile at the queer lady who had
taken a fancy to her. A few days after
and fine nosegay of flowers was left
at the door for me, and when | asked
the servant who sent them he answered


"A little girl asked if lame lady
didn't live here, and when | said yes,
she told me to give you these, and said,
The grapes were very nice. -


knew at once who it was, and en-
ioyed the funny message immensely,
for when one leads a quiet life little
things interest and amuse.


Christmas was close by, and planned
a return of the flowers of a sort that i
fancied that my young friend would
appreciate. | knew that Christmas
week would be holiday so the day be-
fore ii began | went to the school just
before recess and left frosted plummy
AXE, directed to Miss Goldlocks from
,he knows who"


At first, did not know how to adj
iress my nice, white parcel, for | never
lad heard the child's name. But after
over the matter | remem-
Dered that she was the only girl there
with yellow curls hanging down her
,ack, so decided to risk the ease with
he above direction. The maid who
ook il in for the girl went TO private
chool smiled and said at once she
Knew whom meant. i left my cake.
md strolled around the corner TO the
louse of friend, there to wait and
watch for the success of my joke, for
he girls always went that way at re-
ess.


Presently the little hats began TO 90
,obbing by, the silent streets to echo
With laughter, and the sidewalk to
,loom with gay gowns, for the girls
we're all out in Winter colors now.
from behind curtain peeped at them
nd saw, with great satisfaction, that
Iearly all had bits of my cake in their
lands, and were talking it over with
most flattering interest. My particu-
ar little girl. with friend on each
rm. passed so near me that | could
ee the happy look in her eyes, and hear
er say, with toss of the bright hair


Mother will plan it for me, and / |
an get it done by New Year. Won't {
t be fun to hang il on the door some ,
ay and run.p


/ fancied that she meant to make
for me, and waited with
atience, wondering how this odd
rolic with my schoolgirl would end.


New-Years day came and passed, but
% gift hung on my door; so | made up
Nv mind it was all mistake, and being
retty busy about that time, thought
20 more of the matter. until some
reeks later, as came into town one
ay after visit in the country. l am
ond of observing faces and seldom
Orget one if anything has particularly
ttracted my attention to it. So this +.
lorning as / rode along, looked at :
he conductor, as there was no one else
D observe, and he had pleasant sort ,
f a face. Somehow it looked familiar,
nd after thinking about it idly for a
linute, remembered where had seen :


before.


He was the man who waited for slit
e missy" and at once began to hope ,
nat she would come again, for |
-anted to ask about the holidays, re-
lemberine how .'fond of fun" she