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Show 24 THE ACORN. ed him on the shoulder; he looked up and saw it was his old companion George. "Hey, there Tim what you got? I's just comin' in to get some things. Say, I did swell to day. Sold six Magazines and one Herald, what do you think of that?" "Weill sold t-w-o-I-mean," here his little voice stopped as if he were ashamed. "That's pretty good Tim," said George in a half-laughing manner. "Say, have you seen the other kids today? Well I've got to go but give my best to Leah." "Wait a minute, George," said Tim, "I wanted to tell you I only sold one paper and the other was given to me." "What, given to you," said George in a rather astonished tone, "who'd a thought it? I can't imagine who'd be that e're good to give it to you." "A lady gave it to me for, well I guess it was because I said Leah hadn't had anything to eat since morning. That makes me think, I'd better go, for she'll be 'specting me. Good bye George, guess I'll see you tomorrow," and he started off on the run. George watched him go down the street, thinking what a good boy he was, for he always spent his money to buy things for Leah, while the other boys spent theirs the way they wished. Tim hurried home with his goodies for his little sister, but when he opened the door he did not see the smile on her face as usual; but something yes, some thing that would almost break one's heart. She lay white and lifeless on her little bed. He ran to her side with a cry of pain, and fell senseless to the floor. Mrs. Gray, a lady friend of his mother's came in just in time to find him, and tried to comfort him in his sorrow, telling him she was with him.; but poor Tim's heart was broken. THE ACORN. 25 "Oh, Mrs. Gray, I know I have killed her; she hasn't had enough to eat; but it seemed as though I couldn't earn any more." "Never mind, laddie," she" replied, "poor Leah is out of her misery. The Lord's will be done." Mrs. Gray called in the neighbors and the funeral was arranged. The mourners consisted of Tim Arnold, Mrs. Gray, Tim's four companions and a few neighbors. On a cold, frosty morning in December, one week after Leah's death, Tim was out with his papers again. A carriage came down the street and stopped in front of the place where he was standing. The driver, seeing Tim, asked him to hold the lines while he went into the store. This Tim did willingly. Tim glanced into the carriage and saw the face of one he had seen before. It was the lady who had bought his paper when he was in need. When she saw him holding the lines she said, "what is your name little boy?" "Thomas Arnold," he replied meekly. "Why don't your mother dress you more comfortably? You look as though you were half frozen." "I havn't any mother or father, they are dead, and my sister died last week. Now I am left alone." He started to cry but stopped when he saw the driver approaching. "You are not the little boy I saw on the street some time ago, are you?" she asked. "Yes ma'am, I think I am," he replied. Mrs, Adams (this was the lady's name) had a kind heart and it seemed as though she could not help but say: "Get up in the seat, Thomas, and come home with me, for I should like to help you." After some persuasion he climbed up to the seat with the driver. |