Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1853-03-10
From tie Boston Oliue Branch.
The Little OutcaSt.
BY MRS. DENISON.


Mayn'tI stay ma'am. I'll do any
thing you give mc-cut wood, so after
water, and do al your errands.'
The troubled eyes of the speaker were
filled with tears. 1t was a lad that stood
at the outer door, pleading with kindly
looking woman, who still seemed to doubt
the reality of his good intentions.
The cottage sat by itself on bleak
moor. or what in Scotland would have
been called such. The time was near
the latter end of September, and a fierce
wind ratified the boughs of the only two
naked trees near the house, and fed with
a shivering sound into the narrow door
way as if seeking warmth at the blazing
fire within. -........ .....
Now and then a snow flake touched
with its soft chill the check of the listener
or whitened the angry redness ofthe poor
boys benumbed hands.
The woman was evidently 10th to grant
the boys request, and the peculiar look
stamped upon his features would have
suggested to any mind an idea of deprav-
ity far beyond his years.
But her woman's heart could not re-
sist the sorrow in those large, but by no
means handsome grey eyes.
Come in at any rate till the good man
comes home. There, sit down by the
fire; you look perishing with cold:' and
she drew a rude chair up to the warmest
corner; then, suspiciously glancing at the
child from the corner of her eyes, she
continued setting the table for supper.
Presently came the tramp of heavy
shoes; the door swung open with quick
jerk, and the good man presented him.
self, wearicd with labor.
A look of intelligence passed between
his wife and himself; he too scanned the
boys face with an expression not evincing
satisfaction; but, nevertheless, made him
come to the table, and enjoyed the zest
with which he dispatched his supper.
Day after day passed, and yet the boy
begged to be kept only till tomorrow;
so the good couple, after due considera-
ton, concluded that as long as he was
docile, and worked SO heartily, they
would retain him. .,,
One day in the middle of the winter
a pedlar, long accustomed to trade at the
cottage, made his appearance, and dis
posed of his goods readily, as if he had
been waited for y
You have boy out there, splitting
wood, see, he said, pointing to the yard
'Yes: do you know him!'
Il have seen him, replied the pedlar
evasively.
And where! Who is he? what is hei
q Jail Bird; and the pedlar swung hi:
pack over his shoulder; that boy, young
as he looks, Isaw in court myself, and
heard his sentence-'ten months Hes
a hard one. You'd do well to look after
him. ~ e-'r." .1.#
oh. there is something so horrible il
the word jail-the poor woman trembled
as she laid away her purchases; nor could
she be easy till she called the boy in, and
assured him that she knew that dark part
of his history tas.slaa 81
Ashamed, distressed, the child hung
down his head, his cheeks seemed burst
ing with the hot blood; his lips quivered
and anguish was painted as vividly upor
bis forehead as if the word were branded
into the flesh 1f gas
WELL he muttered, his whole franz
relaxing as if burden of guilt or jo,
had suddenly rolled off. 4 may as wei
go to ruin at wonst-there's no use il
my trying to do better body hate;
and despises me-nobody cares for me
II may as we'll 60 to ruin at wonst.