Sweet Charity

It was in a Cinclnatti restaurant. The clerks from the neighboring stores and offices began pouring in for dinner. While the waltress put a lamb stew dinner with coffee and ple in front of the waiter, a man came in and sat down opposite. By his dress a casual observeí would have put him down as a mechanic, but his hands were as soft aa a woman's. He ordered milk and rolls, and when he had about half flnished a young woman came in. She was poorly ciad, and hesitating for a moment at the first table, she took courage, and going close up to the table she spoke to the man who was eating a big dinner. With a frown he answered "No." She was disappointed and her looks showed it. Then her eyes falling on the mechante with the soft hands, she went up to him, and with a volee that seemed f uil of sorrow, she said: "Won't you help me, sir?" "You bet I will. I'm a poor man and I'm not eating a big dinner (with this he turned and scowled on the man who was), but 111 help a poor girl from starvation." This speech in a rather loud and excited voice attracted the attention of everybody in the room, and all saw him lay a quarter on the table. The young woman's gratefulness ! seemed to render her speechless. She took up the money in an embarrassed manner, expressed her thanks and started to leave. Everybody had a coin in his hand by this time, and as each handed over his donation, he scowled on the man who had refused. The poor young woman went out, and the "mechanic" with the soft hands, having finished his milk and rolls, paid paid his bill and left, the hero of the hour. The writer soon followed, and a few yards up the street two familiar figures met his gaze. They were the young woman and the man who had ordered the milk and rolls. The pantomime was brief and plain. She dumped a handful of small change in his hand and they started down the street together.