The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1860-02-15


ed at the thought of leaving so younga boy at
night fall all alone with an infant to care for,
and an open fireside to sit beside. But poor
Mrs. M. knew well she could trust Willie
with his sister. and as for burning up, there
was not coal enough to thaw his blue still
fingers. No, she did not fear to 20 and leave
I him, Tor he had thus been left many a time,
and always carefully obeyed her.
| And he meant to now but the poor little
fellow his thoughts would wander 10 that
brilliant corner stere where he new his ia
;her always went at evening; aud his brain
was busy with eager wonderinss. He knew
his father loved to go, and knew thefe must
BE- something that he liked, for hc never came
home again till long after Willie vas asleep.
What lay behind those scarlet curtains, was
a mystery he sought to unraye.
At length he whispered eagerly as if TO en-
courage longing wish. " Papa used to tell
me, il | wanted to know ans thing very bad,
to preserve. aud would lind Il nut. Now.
| do want to know what makes him love to
90 there 50. know that there mast be pret.
| ty things behind those windows. | shuald
not WONDER and his cheeks were glowing
-" il il was like a fairy house. Why can't
go:p
Poor Willie The temptation to know
was too strong to be resisted 81 he hunted
through the closet for candle, iar he was
thoughtful little fellow, and would not leave
his little sister to the only danger that could
menace her, that the flame might scare away
the rats and mice, should they sally out ere
his return.
| Iwon't stay long. pretty dear, SAID he press.
/ ing tender kiss on her Sleeping Ids. aud
drawing the blankets close o,er her lair arms
!" No, I'll come back soon, bur ,ly waal to
take one peep"
Swiftly his little feet bore him over the
pavement aud IN trice he stUul byhln! the
curtained doOr.
How light it is. and how they l,ugh and
talk. Ii must all be very iunny ttiere.
4 A cold, November blast swept around the
corner as he spoke, penetrating his worn SUM
mer clothes, aud causing h, aesh to quiyer
and his teeth TO chatter.
. don't believe they'd hurt me II should
90 in awhile; am such little boy, aud am
80 cold out here" hc said, as lie pushed the
door carefully from him, slipping 10, aud clos
I ing il without breath Of noise. For awhile
he was bewildered with the light and clatter,
aud half wished he were away. But the
warm air was grateful to lis limbs, and find
ing that no one seemed 70 nutice him, he stole
towards the glowing crate aud spread out his
purple palms befure the blaze. The group
Of men that iucireled the bar were drinking
when he entered. Snou. however, they sat
down their glasses and dispersed around the
room.
Hallo," said one in loud tone, as going
to the fire he spied Willie, "N,hat are. yog
doing here, my little elow : Who are YOU
aud what DO YOU want:
u dun't want anything, only 10 see what
you do here. Ny name is Willie NJ. NV
papa loves to come here, aud il looked 50
pleasant through the wInd0w, thought III
like to. But must not stay long, Tor I've
left the baby alone."
The mans tones aere soitened, as lie spoke
again to him.
And where is your mother. bDy -
oh she's gone to Ike hume the wash, sir.
Papa don't have as much work as lie used to
once, and we're very poor nov, aud she has
to help him"
: Aud does il look a. pleasant IN here as
YOU thought il would, ms chlll -
"uh, yes, it laes, slr. dnn't Wonder
papa loves to come here 80 macil;i.'t I 80 cti.,i
aud dark at hume. But | shoalti lHluI he'd
bring mamma aud me aud little ~. llaw
she would laugh I, see this fire anI ,ll those
pretty bottles, and those lowers With lishts
on them. Please, sir" and he earnestly ,ei.
zing the rough hands OF the listener. please
sir. tell me why little boys cant come here
with their i4tAer -
4 For God ) sake 10 not tell him, Bancroft"
said derp, anguisleJ voice. lie deens ne
pure aud holy. Heavens what wretch |
am My boy, my boy you have saved ne
from earlh's yilest he'll Here with ny hand
upon thy sinlcss brow, promise ne,er again
10 tiuch tile cup have drank ID deep. Aud
ms brothers in sin. as you value your soar,
salvation tempt me not 10 break 10y vow.
Help me, lleayen--help ne, men, - to live
hereafter, that papa may never blush TO take
bis boy aiong-that i p,pa goes there, Willie
may 70 too"
Silently the dnor closed after them, aud
silence dWelt 10 the saloon behind them.
The preacher bad been there in cherub form
aud crazy, loose, unhuly thought, or light and
tibaid Jest were hu.hed. One by one they
stule away anu many WHc NnIc sthhes
that night, nor did the Oli bar ten'er. even,
curse the little one that robbed him Of 50
many dimes-tuo deeply ia his heart had
sunk the voice u that cheru5 preacher.
DON'T you like ne, papa Arc you cross
at me X asked Willie IL hc,itating tone, as
they stood lew mnmcni. On tie pavement !;
for the scene ia tie bir.ruom was an enigma
TO the child, aud he bail feared a reproui.
al was thinking what mamma would Ike
best Tor supper sAid the father.
WAS you was yus !" was the eager qucs.
/ ti0n, ia 4 gladsumr voice. "Oh, then
know you amt cross. Oh, get oysters and
crackers and tea, papa; aud candle. cause
there is only piece. Aud please, papa. tell
mamma not To- be cross to NE, cause | left
Tie baby. don't believe shs will, though,