Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag, Vol. 5

entleman, who sat in a corner, reading his paper; so when the car stopped, I glanced out to see who came next, hoping it would be a pleasanter perso

l running across the park, as girls of twelve or th

ant-faced conductor, who stood with his hand on

ssy," he answered; and just then up she c

aid I should miss my car," she said, as he helped

destly glanced from the old gentleman in the opposite corner to the lady near by. Such a bright little face as I saw under the brown ha

he paper at his pleasant little neighbor as she sat studying a lesson, and che

ng again directly, for there was something irresistibly attractive about the unconscious lassie

relief that amused me. She saw the half-smile I could not repr

d lesson, but

discovered that the girl was a clever scholar, whose on

ame and went in her cheeks. It annoyed me as much as if she had been my own little daughter, for I like modesty, and have often been troubled by the forward manners of schoolgir

safe place so gratefully, that the old gentleman glared over his spec

down town. Presently an Irishwoman, with a baby, got in, and before I c

ma'am; I can stan

t the bashful creature an effort to stand up alone in a car full of strangers; especially as

good manners, for he hooked his cane in the strap, and gave it to he

to that,

judge from appearances! This grim

as we bumped over the rails. The Irishwoman's baby, a sickly little thing, was attracted by th

irl, and made the little creatur

nd seldom he gets any," said the mother, gratefully, as she sett

hat baby boldly clutched at the bright buttons on her sack, and crowed with delight when he got one, while we all smil

easant picture she leaves in my memory!" I thought to myself, as

alked to and fro on the sunny side,-pretty, merry creatures, all laughing and chattering at once, as they tossed apples from hand to hand, munched candy, or compared cookies. I went slowly

ce was sparkling with fun, as she told secrets with a chosen friend, while ea

her as I went by, longing to know what the particu

eaking to her when I met her alone; for usually her mates clustered round her like bees ab

handsome bunch, all ready to offer, for I had made up my mind to speak this t

pes and said, just as I had heard her say more than

ghed, and took the bunch, s

you! they a

er together, I told her why I d

nd, and always waits for me," she said, evidently surprise

rang, and away she skipped, looking back to nod and

rs was left at the door for me, and when I a

here, and when I said yes, she told me to give

unny message immensely; for when one leads a

eturn for the flowers, of a sort, that I

it began, I went to the school just before recess, and left a fr

s name. But after thinking over the matter, I remembered that she was the only girl there wit

new who I meant. I left my cake, and strolled round the corner to the house of a friend, ther

street to echo with laughter, and the sidewalk to bloom wit

r hands, and were talking it over with the most flattering interest. My particular little girl, with a friend on each

it done by New Year. Won't it be fun to h

e, and waited with patience, wondering how this

was all a mistake, and, being pretty busy about that time, thought no more of the m

orning, as I rode along, I looked at the conductor, as there was no one else to observe, and he had a pleasant sort of f

began to hope that she would come again, for I wanted to a

e wide path again, and quite willing to wait for it a long time if necessary. But no one was to be seen but two boys and a do

now?" I asked, feeling disappointed

he man, understanding at once, thou

but stood fingering his punch, and never minding an ol

se"-here he leaned in and said, very low,-"she is dead;" then turned

mall surprises for my girl, and now I could do no more, could never know all about her, n

innocent light-heartedness. I could not bear to think what home must be without her, for I am sure I was right in believing her a good, s

they walked quietly, talked low, and several wore black bows upon the sleeve; while I, although I never knew her name, or