The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1856-12-25

of his neighbors who we're not ill-natured.
It was persecution, and it proved his fine
nature that lie bore it all. without swer-
wing from his prescribed line of duty.
So year psssed. Then Mr.. R
removed from a neighboring city to the
village in which John West lived, and
Lois R was his frequent visitor, the
two farms being contiguous.
"Plod, plod, plod-tug, tug, tug
work, work. work. What's your life
good for. John West, want to know"
said the merry. black eyed, rosy Tipped
little girl reeping one evening over the
gaze which he was mending. She had
been his neighbor for some months, and
their acquaintance now progressed rapid
ly.
Good for dollar day. besides all
kinds of work at home" he answered,
looking up blushing and smiling thought
fully.
"And what is dollar day to any
but miser, I'd like to know" she said
impatiently. While you are young
you should be gay" You can busy your
self with dollars when you are old
What's the use of being such strong,
tall fellow, if you don't rejoice in your
strength like little boys? Come, leave
work for once on this cool, nice evening,
and go out to the football ground. I will
look on from our kitchen window, and
see il you're not the best player there
Come"
"I can't Lois" he said, and hammer
ed in another nail
"John-do,' with ent.eaty and re-
monstrance in her tone.
mo, no." he said, quickly.
'But just for me! It almost makes
me cry, John, to see you working here
| want you to have good time for once.
[ can't be happy when I know you are SO
tired, and yet keeping on working"
She bent forward to look into his face
her own innocent countenance full oil
pleading, but he was bent over his car
pentering, and only hung his head the
more. He fitted the cross piece silently
but where the nails should have gone,
two heavy tears splashed Lois started
as if frightened, and in a laughing, cry
ing voice said,
"Now, John, now. John, don't do that.
[ didn't come here to make you do that -
"Lois,' said the boy turning suddenly
to her, ''you don't know what comfort
you are to me. I should have given up
long ago, dc believe, if hadn't known
that you didn't laugh at me or hate me-
But what shall do when you are gone.
You are going tomorrow, and then who
will -' Tears began to choke him
Lois seated herself beneath a snow berry
bush and said,
"John, sit down here minute by me,
| want to ask you something" He did
| so.
Il want you to con6de in me why you
work SO hard, and why you-save SOL
You know l would like to think we'll o.
you. Please tell me''
"My mother-my father left
but be could not go on. His swelling
heart would not let words come without
sobs. To subbue these he must be silent
"Neyer mind" said his young com
forter. Il believe you are all right, ane
I'll never believe anything else." She
hesitated, playing with little packag.
then springiag up and giving it to hin
hastily, she said, "Don't you want some
thing to remember me by" and RAJ
away as fast as she could.
The boy threw himself face downward
on the grass, and wet his coat sleev
through with his long repressed tears
He kissed again and again, with pas
sion of love and grief, the folded pape
and when it was not at his lips he kept
pressed to his heart. He did not open
that night. He felt what was in it, an
knew he could not bear the sight withou
being again-"a baby"
The next morning by daybreak he ha
it in his trembling hand, and held him
selffor some time suspended on the brin
of the JOY Of opening it. At last with
sigh he placed it under his suspende
just over his heart, aud pinned it thel
securely.
~ feel as if all the strength had gon
$ out of me-" he said. sI don't know ho
| can bring myself to work to-day at a
). But if I pluck up and get lots done-I'
7 open it tonight, and if don't, won't.
So now Tn, in for it!''
e Spurred on by this resolution he we
It to his daily employment, and at sunset r
turned gaily saying, as he hurried alon
n I'm five minutes more | shall open
is just where she sat, t,under the snow berr
In two minutes!''
J, But when he turned the corner he 81
is his mother leaning over the gate. and S
ii recei we'd him complainingly as usual.
e. Johnny, make haste, and bring 1
" some wood for tomorrow morning r.