Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1856-11-20
Gtephen.

il He4eSee~ -
The sun shone bright through the cmblazon-
ed windows where ancient crests and arms OF
| many quarterings-rich with gorgeous hues-
flung their gay shadows on the floor, like a
shattered rainbow, engrayen as it fell, or as
gems thrown in playful mood by fairy fingers !;
!, the same bright hues, quiverirg in the sun
beams, dance lightly among the grotesquely
carved oak figures which formed the cornice OF
the general sitting-room of the old manor
honse Of B. Mr. Somcryille, the owner
| of the place, was kind-lcarted, fine old gen.
tleman, though somewhat testy; moreover, he
had particular aversion to having his even
| ing nap disturbed by appeals to him as ma
gistrate, and yet, at the same time, no one
could be more tenacious of the power and dig
nifty to the Office and while cndeayoring to
impress on the mind of the culprit due re-
spect for justice and the law, he seldom failed
to install suitable regard for the justice as
man. Seated in most luxurious chair, with
one foot resting on the low ottoman, from which
bis daughter had just risen, where she had
been reading to him the last article on the
corn-aw, the sweet evening breeze playing gen.
tly among the few gray locks which still sha-
ded his temples he had just fallen into light
StuUlDCIt NuCIi thS hOpl oPtHtAy aiiu SoiCC
started him into wakefulnoss, saying please,
sir, Gracey Norton's little boy says you told
him to come up to the house to-day"
To-day, to-day did say? Bat this is
almost night-he must come again tomorrow !;
cannot be SO broken in upon during the few
hours business leaves for repose no, no-tcll
him he must--ah wen, stay let him come
in :" and child Of ten years old came for
ward into the room His attenuatcd form and
shrunken check bctokened sad want Of nour-
ishing food, and his scant yet clean clothing be-
spoke long acquaintance with poverty but
his full clear, intelligent eye, and firm, wcll-
formed mouth told Of spirit within capable
Of enduring the cares with which lis young
life had become familiar
swell, Stephen" said Mr.. Somcrville, lean
ing back in his chair, and bringing the other
foot to bear upon the one already at rest
"Wcll, what say the guardians ?" The boy
hung down his head, and stopped to notice II
beautiful little spaniel that stood by his side
Speak up, my boy don't hear you" said
the old gentleman, leaning forward.
They won't give nothing, SIR replied Ste
phen in broken voice. but manfnlly checking
the tears that were fast gathering in his eyes.
mot allow any. thing But l say they
must. say they ---. What reason did
they giveF'
otis little Carlo; : aud the words burst
forth in sob.
How what had Carlo to do with t?'
"They say" returned the boy, now raising
his eyes as if to ask for sympathy from the
fair young girl who appeared to be gazing on
him with some degree of interest" they can't
give nothing to mother while we keep this =
and again he stopped to meet the caresses of
his little companion.
ooh, the dog !-ay, certainly very true !;
you must put away the dog. The parish can
not be expected to allow pay for the support
Of dogs.
He nevers gets nothing Of mothers share"
said the child, deprecatingly "'tis only.a bit
Of what her gives to me-"
lay, that's it; the dog eats what you
ought to have, aud what your mother can
barely spare. Yes, ycs--you must part with
the dog. without doubt /; perhaps you could
sell it, for it is aprctty little thing, aud the
money would then buy bread for your mother. "
! The poor boy now took the dog up in his arms
and pressed him fondly to his breast but said
not word. GO to Martin :" continued Mr.
Somerviler perhaps he may be able to put you
in the way selling him but get rid Of him you
must"
Large tears now rolled down the pale checks
of the poor child as he murmured, =" lie has
been like little brother to me-" and pressed
him still closer in his arms. ,
There was pause, Mr.. Someryille coughed
and the boy continued: Squire Thompson
Igived him to my father to drown when he was
o little pup; but begged him of father and
he has never been away from me since, night OF
day; and, indeed, he never, aimost never has
had more than half Of what mother giyed me
for breakfast"
Eyes, yes-I see he gets half your break
fast, and suppose, half your dinner and sup
never have any dinner nor any supper
only sometimes" said the child, meekly, but
not murMnringly. So IS sssw q
No dinncr, and scarcely ever any supper
and yet you give the dog half your breakfast
That must not be. / must sneak to youl
mother, and she must see to the DISPOSAL of the
dog, II only for your sake"
"The child's face became Of an ashen hne
but he said firmly, Please, sir, what death j.
the easiest p
4 DEATH child ~ exclaimed Mr.. Somervi,,e
fancying the boy was contemplating suicide
4 why speak Of death ~
Because would, think-yes. think.
I'm sure I'd rather kill him know he,