Bloomington High School - Aepix Yearbook (Bloomington, IL)

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THE AEGIS nearby struck the noon hour and the streets were thronged with people who were hurrying to their dinners. Finally Marie came to the corner where she must turn to go home. The last store was a fruit store and was pretty well crowded. O, what nice ones! Wouldn't little Bill be delighted if I could take him one like these, she said to herself when she spied the big oranges laid in artistic designs in the window. Why can 't I take one? They surely won't miss just one out of this box. I can just go out thru the crowd and no on will know any better. Poor little Bill will be so tickled, she thought, reaching out her little thin hand and quickly takingtwo big oranges under her shawl. I'll take two, for maybe I could help him eat a little, she said, although she had forgotten her own hunger until now. She slid cautiously out into the cold, turning off into the street towards home. Just then she felt a firm grasp on her shoulders and found a large, but friendly policeman at her side. I am sorry, miss, but you must come with me. The man in the store saw you take the fruit and sent me after you. Marie stepped back in surprise. III. Sir, I didn 't mean any wrong. I only took them for my little brother, who is very ill, she explained pleadingly. ' The officer saw by her straight forward look that the poor girl was telling the truth, and pity for her grew in his tender heart. I know you did not mean any Wrong, my child. Come with me. We 'll see What can be done. Later Marie was brought up in court. She told the judge if he doubted her word to call for Mrs. Sterling, her customer, to identify her. The lady was sent for, but did not come for nearly an hour. u Is this your sewing girl, madam 'V' the judge asked, pointing to Marie. Yes sir,' ' replied Mrs. Sterling. And what do you know concerning this incident? Nothing sir, I only called this morning for my sewing which she claimed she had not finished, she answered indifferently. O, sir, I pleaded with her to pay me for the sewing I had finished but she refused me. Poor little Bill begged so for some fruit, and the fuel was gone. I had to do something, the child sobbed. The young society lady, seeing her position, pulled out her purse and handed out a dollar. There's your pay and more too. Remember, my lady, there is to be no more work done for me, she called out as she stalked to the door. Poor Marie! This was her last straw. She sat there as one in a dream throughout the rest of the trial. ,The judge was closing his book when a friendly hand was laid on her shoulder. She turned her head and looked inquiringly into the smiling face of the burly policeman. O, mister, I left little Bill nearly three hours ago. I know he will be nearly frozen now. Won't you let me go and throw my shawl over him? she begged of the officer. Certainly, my child, you are free, he replied cheerily. And I 'll go with you if you don 't mind?' ' 22

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THE AEGIS with a haughty air, glanced around and took the only seat she could find, that being just a. box. Are my garments ready? she asked stiffly, when she had adjusted herself. The dress is madame, but I just couldn't get the waist done, Marie politely replied as she held up the plain little house-dress for inspection. And what is your reason for the delay? It looks as though you had plenty of time. But madame, since you will not pay me until I finish the waist, I have to find some way to get food for poor little Bill. Can't you possibly pay a. little on the dress? Just a quarter if you can 't spare more. You see our fuel is gone and there is no food in the house, ' ' she replied, a little surprised at her own bold- ness. I'll take the dress and come back tomorrow for the waist, the young society woman remarked, ignoring the plea made by the poor starving girl. Marie obediently wrapped the dress in a neat bundle and handed it to the woman. Remember, my lady, tomorrow and not the next day, Mrs. Sterling called back as she left the room. Poor Marie! She stood gazing at the closed door as if rooted to the iioor. She was shivering from the cold and faint from hunger and abscntly she let the waist drop to her feet. Stooping over to pick it up, she glanced at little Bill. HHe shall have his orange, she cried and drawing the shawl over her head started down the rickety stairs out into the street. II. The snow had ceased falling, but a high wind had arisen, sending the snow in great whirls and drifts along the street. But on she trudged, not minding the cold, thinking only of the errand she was on. O, if Mr. Brown will only take credit just this once. Bill must have the orange. Dear boy, he is so patient. These thoughts were running rapidly through her mind as she came to the door of the little grocery. Marie entered the little room, the warmth from the fire making her whole body tingle. Mr. Brown came in from the back part of the store. He wore a dirty white apron which nearly covered his entire body. A dark, disgusted frown appeared on his face when he saw that his customer was only Marie. 'tAnd what will you have? he stormed at the shivering girl. Please, Mr. Brown, would you be willing to give me an orange on credit. I can pay you tomorrow? she urged in a tremulous voice. Give you an orange? Child, what do you think I am, a charity worker? No sir, I do not ask you to give it to me. My poor little brother is sick with fever and begs for just a little one. I have no money in the house today, but I shall have some tomorrow, she pleaded. How can I tell you 'll pay? Anyway, I haven 't any time to fool with you now, the proprietor snapped out as he turned abruptly around and walked to the back of the store. Again Marie was left staring in great bewilderment. Slowly out of the door she walked into the crowded street. The wind seemed colder to her as she left thc stuffy room. She made her way wearily among the crowd. A clock 21

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THE AEGIS Wiien they entered the room the fire had died out and a damp chilliness filled the air. Little Bill smiled when he heard the door open. Oh, sis, you did bring me the oranges? I knew you Would. This was too much for the policeman. He took the fruit and gave one of the oranges to the boy. Come, my lad, I am going to take you with me. You can help fill little Jimmie 's place. Poor Jim, he 's in Heaven now and will be glad when he sees that I have taken another little fellow and his sister to make his dear mother happy. You 'll go child, won 't you? he asked Marie, as he patted her shoulder in a friendly manner. Not Waiting for her answer, he gathered the little frail body in his strong arms and carried Bill tenderly home with him. Marie hardly realized what had happened, but so warm was the Welcome in the home that opened to her, that all doubts fled, to make way for the happiness of the new life that had begun. A TALE OF TWO CITIES BY LOUIS EPs'1'E1N. It is a young gazabo, And he stoppeth one of three. By thy beadless eyes and shiny nose, Now wherefor stoppest thou me. The Y. M. 's doors are open wide, Andl must hurry ing The time i set, the crowd is met, May 'st hear the deafening din. He holds him with his grimy paw, There was a game, quoth he, Speak quickly for I am: in haste' ' And thus his tale 'gins he. Big was the crowd, and the mob was loudg And merrily began the play, The men were game, and to win great fame, They sought this very day. On this one date, the game was greatg And the score rose wondrous slow. At last 'twas tied, and it stuck beside, And it would no higher go. The crowd was there, and they did cheer But Fate was 'gainst our team. But play they could, and play they would, And they did raise much steam. 2 23