The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1853-12-01

boy, loud enough for my friend opposite
to hear.
The boy Immediately turned and ap
preached me. | observed the upside
down paper cautiously lowered, SO tha
the individual behind could look over it
but the instant he met my eye, up it wen
again, and the head instantly commenced
moving rapidly sideways, as if its owne
were just in the marrow of an intensely
interesting paragraph, in the perusal 0
which he was not to be disturbed on any
account whatever.
What's your name = | demanded o
the child standing in front of me.
Eddie, sir said he, promptly.
Eddie what! Tell me your othe
name
Yes, sir-Eddie Barton. he answered
By this time the gentleman opposite hat
put the paper in his pocket, and, with al
air of carelessness which of course de
ceived me terribly, walked over to the
side where was sitting. He finally sa
down in the adjoining seat, and, touching
me lightly on the knee with a great Draw
ny hand, a blow from which might have
split an inch board; said, with friendly
nod
Fine lookin' boy, sir
He is indeed said |, 'and evidently
not accustomed to the hard life he is lead.
ing now. Suppose ask 2
DO it, SIR returned my new acquain
tance, eagerly-'do it, and mebbe we car
do somelhing--that is, sir, mebbe yor
cantor him, if he's deservin.'
Lord love you, sir, I've seen a heap o.
misery since I've bin in this place. live
in Alabama, sir, and my name is Hardy
John Hardy
In accordance with the request of hon,
est John Hardy, whose face fairly shone
with generous sympathy; | proceeded to
ask other questions of the ragged little
newS-boy, to all Of which he returned in.
telligent and unhesitatng replies.
'Whar' bouts do you live! demanded
Mr. Hardy during pause.
i live with Sissy answered Eddie
my Sissy
The very mention of Sissy whoever
that parsonage might have been, seemed
to give the little fellow deal of pleasure
and bright thought striking him. he con
tinued with much eagerness. Won
you come with me and see Sissy? Oh
you'll like her so much IL know you
will. She's so good nobody can help Low.
ing her-nObOdy can i
He seemed so earnest and honest, and
Hardy looked at ine so anxiously. that
rose directly and signifed my willingness
TO 60 and see her at once.
| hardly know which exhibited the mos,
glee-the child, who capered about in a
perfect fever of happiness, or Homespun
Hsrdy, who grasped my hand within his
own, and gave it such squeeze that my
fingers tingle now at the very recollection
of it. So off we started pellmill across
Broadway, keeping a sharp lookout for
the omnibuses, carts, and vehicles Of ev.
cry description that necessarily dashed up
and down that noisiest of thoroughfares
endangering the lives or limbs OF all in.
experienced orincautious pedestrians who
cross their path. Away, we went into
Centre street, with its railroad and dirty
gutters--thence through several smaller
streets, OF which | have forgotten the
names and never wish to learn again e ach
successive one being if possible more fiji.
thy than its predecessor--untl at length
our little pioneer. almost exhausted with
the haste he had manifested, halted in
front of wretched building, three sto.
ries high, and apparently swarming with
human beings, the very dregs of creation
many of whom peered from the broken
windows as il curious TO ascertain what
could have brought US there with that
child.
Sissy has been very sick,' said the boy,
turning to US with one bare foot upon the
stairs which it seemed necessary for US to
mount--'very sick--poor Sis land she
isn't bit strong now but then, lam, and
I'm growing TO be big boy--and when
I'm man; ,oon't | work for her Yes,
and she shall be lady again, like she was
before father died.
The child's utterance became choked
with grief at the recollections to which
this simple explanation gave rise, and he
could say no more. As he went up the
crazy flight of stairs, Hardy's cold be.
came so troublesome that he had to apply
The big red handkerchief TO his nose and
eyes various times before they ceased to
annoy him. Up, up he went, to the very
garret, and, passing several rooms full oi
misery, came at length to low door, at
which the boy knocked gently.
She has to keep it locked said he, in
an explanatory tone, because some of the
neighbors gel drunk and are very trouble.
some
The knock was twice repeated before
any notice seemed to be taken of it inside.
WHO is it r. at last demanded a sweet
female voice.
Only me, Sissy answered our little
conductor, and some good old gentlemen
I've brought to see YOU
The door was orened. though after q
moments hesitation, and we entered the
room. The figure before us ! shall never
forget. A tender child, for she could moi
have been more than fifteen years of age,
beautiful as the morning. and alone--un
protected in this terrible place! She had
fair auburn hair, dimpled cheeks, and &
color in them which | feared was Of tina
hectic nature so dreadful in the conse