Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1852-09-16
From the Olive Branch.
Little Jerry and the Miser.


looking, Eu' you have got to ride in an open
sleigh, child, and over those two cold, end
less bridges; you can send it home to-mor-
row, may be, by some milkman or other"
eyes, boy, take the shawl" chimed in
little Jerry's father, ''mother knows what's |.
best for you; Mary thought she should per-
ish coming from fathers this morning; the |
air is still, but sharper thana swords point,
if it was more than thirty minutes ride,
wouldn't let you go such day."
So bundled up in handkerchleis and nit
tens, and his great shaggy coat with the
warm woolen shawl, of itselfquite burden,
little Jerry thought, the rosy-cheeked,
sparkling-eyed boy jumped into the open
sleigh, and took his seat near an old man,
the only occupant beside himself.
After good bye's and merry laugh or
two, they glided over the crisp snow
Whew, how the air cut across those two
red checks, and even penetrated down
through his coat collar and went whisking
round his neck till it tinged again. But
Jerry didn't mind it much, his blood
was young and warm, his health vigorous,
his heart beat high with pleasure at the
prospect of ride, for it was luxury he
seldom njoyed-and the gay throngs, dash
ing equipages, laughing faces and brilliant
shops, occupied his attention till he ncared
the bridge; and there the cold became so
intense that even his buoyancy gave out,
and he covered down closer TO his seat
Presently recollecting the shawl he bundled
himself, ears and all in it, and began TO
think that on the whole he was quite COM
Portable, when suddenly he heard something
that sounded very much like sigh; and on
glancing up, he saw the old gentleman,
holding his thread-bare coat collar with his
emaciated fingers, and shaking with the
cold. Poor old man, there he sat, his peaked
chin, and pointed nose, and hollow checks
almost purple with the cold.
1t was but the thought of second for Jer
ry to swing off the great blanket from his
chubby little body and with a look of com
mscration at the thin clothes of the old, Of
fer it with childish earnestncss.
''No, no, don't want it boy, keep it,
keep it; o-h-o-h, and in spite of himself his
teeth chartered again, for the cold was
trightful.
''But you must take it; I'm warm, see here,
and see here-and look at these; and he
pointed alternately at his coats and red COM
fortcr, and thick mittens; "oll You must have
it, you've got no cvcrcoat, and besides
you're very old man, and can stand the
cold; please take it sir"
mo, no, boy, | say put it on; your mother
wouldn't thank me if she knew | robbed
you of your comfort going over this long
bridge; put it on and thank the Lord you're
young"
"Thcn if you won't take it l shall lay it
on the seat spoke up little Jerry quite
bravey; he was hurt that the man was so
obstinate, when he was all aglow with his
warm coat and his kindly heart.
"Well, youngster, since you say so, let
me have it, and thank you kindly, my boy"
said the old man, with softening glance as
carefully wrapped it about him, and the
pleased glance with which he folded his
arms beneath it, fairly made the little boys
heart leap with pleasure at this opportunity
of making an old man SO comfortable.
"How far do you 60, my little fellow"
asked the stranger.
"Oh. to grandpa Snelling's, and you see
he's not very well, and sister--that's Mary
and | go out there by turns to keep him
company. Mary's come home with cold,
and SO I'm going now."
"And where does your grandpa live?"
"Why don't you know? In the green
cottage, just behind Mr.. Farrell's great
white house."
"Oh! you mean miser Farrells," ex-
claimed the old man with a little quick
glance in the boys face.
They call him that, but Idon't," for he's
q real good man; and when hear folks say
he's miser, want to tell 'em what !
know about him."
"And what doyou know" asked the 9TH
er with quiet smile.
"Why. know that when grandpa hadn't
any body TO help him last winter, because
father was sick with the rheumatic fever,
and mother was sick too, and they couldn't
neither of them leave the house at all,
somebody sent grandpa everything he want
ed. Potatoes were carried into the cellar,
and wood left at his door; and | know who
did it-that same Miser Farrell the peo-
pie talk about, and ii ever | get chance
they say he don't like children mean to
thank him for his kindness to our dear good
grandpa, we all love him SO much. Do you
think, sir, miser would have done that?n
ale was guided tv the same motive, per:
haps, that you was, when you lent the poor
old man your shawl; some boys would have
thought only of their own comfort, and cared
nothing for that of a stranger"
I'm glad | amt one of the ''some boys
then," replied Jerry, with ludicrou,
shake of his curly head, but see-here's S
Mr.. Farrell's house, and-why! are YOU
going to stop here?"
"Yes, my little man, | know Mr.. Farrell
very intimately; be sure will make him
acquainted with your good opinion, and l'll
keep the shawl till tomorrow.
Jerry had not recovered from his aston
ishment when he was set down at his
grandfather's door; but the smell of frying
dough-nuts, and the cold nose of "Pointer'
against his face soon drove away the recol
, lection of the stranger who stopped at The