Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1860-06-13

''What is that boy crying for?" said he
presently looking out of the window, at the
little thin, gaunt figure that was leaning
against the fence.
"One of the coal boys" I answered. "Is
he the one who offered to do it for eighteen
pence?'
"No. mamma, it was the one with the blue
frock. The first one was mad at him when
he said he'd do it for that; but then when he
him and they made bargain" -
| 81 am sorry, supposed it was the same
one" said 1, still busy at my work
did he offer to do the coal?"-
Eyes. for fifteen cents"
swell, why didn't he2'
''It was too late; the other boys were al
ready there"
lis that what he's crying for?"
II suppose so. Don't disturb me-"
..What did you tell him? Mamma, mann
ma do tell me whether you told him he could
do it."
81 did, my son, supposed it was the 9TH
er boy come round to this door,"
.'It is too bad" said Lewie, looking lugu-
broiusly out of the window. Mamma.
mamma" he added, pulling my sleeve,
"those boys are plagueing him. Mayen't L
| 60 out and see to them?"
/ looked at the little sprig of a boy, whose
chin was just high enough to rest on my
| shoulder as 1 sat, and laugh he'd at the thought
| of his seeingto the brawny lads who were bring
| ing in the coal. But with this glance at my
eldest born my heart grew softer for the woes
! of childhood, and looked again to the one to
whom the loss of this hard, dirty work SEEM
ed such bitter drop in the cup of grief.
He had sank back from the place where be
tb 4, thah oh
had been placed as a winter covering for my
wall flowers, under my nursery window, |
could just see the top of his cap where his
head bent forward upon his knees, but from
its motion knew that he was still grieving
over his disappointment. With my pen in
my hand 1 stepped into the nursery and lis
tened. In through the open window came
the sound of his bitter sobbing, poured out
with an abandonment of wretchedness that
told no common sorrow. | stepped softly to
the window and looked at him, He could
hardly be older than my own Lewie, it SEEM
ed to me, and could see through the ragged
garments the white skin of his thin arm, and
the turn of his finely curved neck. and rhougt
that he might be as dear to some mothers
heart as my own child was to me.
''What is the matter?" asked.
He started, and his sobbing ceased in an
instant, but he made no answer and did not
raise his head from his knees.
Il wish you to tell me what troubles you,"
l said again, after waiting few minutes
He had raised his head with proud curve
of the neck and shoulders, and was looking
straight before him, with the tears standing
as if they were chilled in their pathway down
his face. 5A
.'Lost the job" he said sullenly, in reply
to my question, but without looking towards
me.
lis that all? That is great deal of work
to do for fifteen cents"
81 wanted it though" he said, with anoth-
er tear making Its way out of his fixed eyes
and brimming over.
Ibid you want the work or the money"
81 wanted the money" said be, bitterly.
''What would you do with it?"
''Eat it" he replied, with increasing saw
ageness, after moments delay.
'.In what form?" 1 asked, my curiosity
excited by the boys answer, Gas peanuts or
candy?"
I'll move along" said he, making motion
to go. but lingering as if he lacked the en-
ergy to rise
IT don't wish you to move along,"sI re-
ally wished to know why you wanted this
money SO much, ,and what you would have
done with it."
'Pd have bought bread for my mother.
She is starving" he exclaimed, turning sud-
denly towards me, with the great tears brim-
ming out of his eyes again in spite of him
self.
i hope not; she can hardly be starving with
plenty all about u.s.
"What good does that DO Us? We've moth
ing to do with the plenty. She won't let me
steal, and haven't had job these three
days
us there no one but you to provide for
your mother?'
No, Fam, not since she's been SICK
If you are really destitute you should let
your wants be known. There are ways in
which you can be kept from starvation, be-
sides if you were really obliged to choose
between the two, don't you think it would be
better to beg than to steal?'
we won't choose between them She
says she can starve. follow the coal carts
all the time, but the big boys get all the jobs
There's nothing for me to Go'
DO you see that trench yonder, beyond the
currant bushes asked, pointing to the gar
den. There are cabbages there, and now that
the frost is coming out of the ground l want
them brought to the cellar. There are two
or three basketful. l will give you fifteen
cents to bring them in
Yes, ma'am.' said he, starting up with
alacrity. Thank you, ma'am. Got bas-
ketT
60 round to the kitchen door and ask the
girl for one, and come to me when you are
DONE
He hurried off to his work and returned
to my writing, which was soon finished aud
the manuscripts folded for their destination.