Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-08-09

I
Of phox, on which we were TO call botanics in
requisiton When the sun was low in the
west, we set forth, walking nearly the whole
distance in the shadow Of the hill We climb
ed the ridge, rested moment, and then started
In search Of the splendid patch Of purple bios
SONS had accidentally found in taking a short
cut over the hill TO the house Of friend was
to visit.
"stop, Mjss1 1Burke" came in suppressed
tones from inf my little troupe, as, emerging
from a thicket, we came in sight Of queer
object, perched upon littlo mound, among
dead sticks and leaves. Il was diminutivo
child, who, Judging from her face, and not her
size, might be eleven or twelve years Of age
! A little, brown, weird face il was, with keen
eyes lightning out from a mass Of stringy black
hair, that wandered distraotedly from the con
finement Of an old comb.
There's Mrs. Walkers Betsy, | do declared"
whispered Matty Holmes "She often goes
home from school this way, and now is playing
truant. She'll get whipping, If her mother
! fnds it out"
"lMiss Burke" interposed anothsr, in an en-
ergetic whisper, "see what she has in her
handl" looked, and there, TO be sure, was my
lost p,rasol.
"TAere, noao, didn't we say so :" "Don't she
look guilty I" "Impudent baggage !" were the
low CALCULATIONS of my indignant vigilance
committee but in truth, the girls appearances
was unconcerned and innocent enough She
sat swaying herself about opening aud shutting
the wonderful instrument, holding it between
her eyes and the light, to ascertain the quality
Of the silk and sticking pin in the handle, to
try if it were ivory, or mere painted wood.
"Lets dash upon her, and see her scamper ~
was the most benevolent suggestion whispered
in my ear.
NO. said II wish to speak with her
alone first All of you stay here out of sight,
and will return presently" They fell back
dissatisfied and contented themselves with
peeping and listening, while advanced toward
the forlorn child, determined to win her conf
dence so far as TO persuade her of my friendly
intentions toward her, before referring to the
wrong she had done me She started little as
| approached, thrust the parasol behind her, and
then pleasantly made room for me on the little
hillook where she sat.
"Well, this is nice lounge" l said, dropping
down beside her. "just large enough ior two,
and softer than any tete a tete in Mrs. Graham
parlor Now, little girl, should like to know
your name" for l thought it best to ieign iguo.
rance of her antecedents.
"Bets !" was the ready reply.
"Betsy what
"Bets Walker, mother says, but say Arnold
That was my fathers name 'Taint no differ
ence, though It's Bets any way"
"Well, Betsy, what do you suppose made thi
little mound we are sitting upon?" l asked
merely to gain time.
Il never heard" she answered, looking vi
curiously in my face. "Maybe a rock got GOV
cred up and gTowed over, ever 30 far down
Maybe an Injun's buried up there
told her had seen larger mounds that con
tanned Indian remains, but none 50 small a
this.
at might been baby, though" she re
turned, digging her brown toes among thu
leaves, and winking her eyelids roguishy ~
papoose, you know real little lniun | wish
y, had been me- and I'D been buried here I'd
liked it first rate Only wouldn'ta wanted til
girls should come and set over me-"
"Why do you talk SO What makesyo wis
yourself buried here Z" said l.
"Cause do It's better to be dead Iniu
than a live nigger," she answered resolutely.
you're not quite 30 dark-skinned as that,
said with u considerable gravity.
She burst into pleasant and musical laugl
wasn't thinking of my skin, and you kno
it, Mother and old Walker make a niger
me, and send me TO get drink for 'em, when l
rather get 'em pizen. The old man drinks an
mother, she's learning, and expect to take
t,ke to it bime by. The school girls treat N
worse than niger, too. II didn't want
a bad TO get to read the books father left, L
L never go to school another day. l wouldn
80 :" And her brow darkened again with ev
81 emotions.
y "Did your father leave you books 7"
u "Hes, real good ones Only they're old an
v torn some. Mother couldn't sell 'em for notl
"a in' 50 she lets me keep em. She sold every
&c thing else" Then suddenly changing her tor
ne she asked silly;
III "You haint lost anything, have you 7"
y "Yes" answered; 81 sec you have my su
p shade"
er sho held it up, laughing with boisterous Il
" umph. "You left it hanging in that tree yo
Us der" she said, pointing to a low bTanchiI
'b' beech at little distance. at was kind o. car
49, less to. 'Sposln it had rained."
nc Astonishment kept me silent. How could
Is have forgotten what l now so clearly recal
nd hanging the shade upon tree, the previo
ne afternoon, while descended a ravine for flo
ers. felt humiliated in the presence of I
he poor little neglected and suspected child.
Im "Well, Betsy, l was certainly dreadful car
less and am greatly obliged to you for takiI
les care of my lost property. Now must go wi
TX, ray class, who are waiting for me over yond'
hu SO only word more, this time, but will 9
W. you again soon. Keep on going to school q
ro- try hard TO learn Don't notice what the ri
;;h' say, but act rightly, and make them asham
IN TO plague you. Next term, if you study han
LOT you will get into my department, and we W
on see then If those books can't be mastered We
'hd soon. At home, be patient and gentle to yO
ION parents, and never, ReBeT taste that wretch
CO. drink GoOd-by"
Der "Good-by." Her eyelids were wiki
az again, but not this time with mischief S
NY tossed on her ragged bonnet, and, before l b
rejoined my ambushed class, was out Of sig
ely Forlorn and hiendless little waif how my he
ON ached for her!
no, found the ambushed faces considerably ol
neI gated, and much more serious than had
ich oJ end ,yc,e =, ,css srrohlg osbsmed If Their
cen ;,,st s,sricions Rnt II 10 not tbi,L tbev
and more kindly towards Mrs. Walkers BE
than before.
,ot. [COnoluded To MOrTOW
ind 111ulIllllI-llH
over ~ ~ ,G..n~.,s