The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-05-04
(EDlToR AND PROPRIETOR.
NUMBER 10.
orphan, Minnie Bhke, had been like sweet
flower, filling their home with fragrance.

lower, nliing their home with fragrance.
But Il had been homo where went ON
constantly sharp, strong battle with poy.
erty-a battle that was lightened and ano-
tilted by faith in God, and sweet affections
and tender cares. But this summer had
opened more darkly than its predecessor, for
Mr.. Strongs rheumatic attacks had been
longer and moro serious than any of the pre-
yious ones. He had lost several important
.iobs' for that season, In consequence Of his
illness; and his Oldest son, who had just
crossed his fourteenth birthday had been
obliged to leave the district school and lot
himself out as 'chorc boy to q pcnurious
old farmer in the vicinity Of Woodford.
SO troubles thickcncd over tho heads Of
tho carpenters little family, and tho face Of
Mrs. Strong grew paler and more patient
day by day. ..r. 80. .rf ".
aYou just get away from my fathers
pond, II you know. what Is good for you"
upon the childrcn's voices, and looking mp
hastily in the direction Of tho voice, John
saw Squire Morton's son standing in the 6eld
opposite the meadow. through whose dark
grass the little pond flashed tho silvery en-
broidery OF Its waters.
Now, although the meadow In reality be-
longed TO theSquire, II was regarded ~ pub
lie property by all tho neighbon, and tho
schoolboys assembled here every Saturday
afternoon, for piscatory achievements, amidst
boisterous jests and frolic.
John Strong was bold, out-spokcn boy,
and the insolent tones Of the Squiro's son nt
once aroused all his belligercnt qualities.
"The pond belongs quite Us much to mo
rs 1t does to you, sir, and shall stay hero
just rs long as like, for oil your orders"
"You will, eh Z? I'd like to know what
right you, q poor beggar ofa carpenters
son, have to speak to me in that way?" and
Robert Morton, whose naturally oycrbearing
disposition had been nurtured by the indul.
gence of most injudicious parcnts-for he
was an only son-adyanced towards tho boy,
whose senior he WINS by two or thrcc years,
tauntingly cracking q small riding whip
which he carried in his hand. Tho angry
blood burned over the face OF JohL Strong,
while the girls shriekcd for fear.
"Come on" he cried. assuming bclligcr-
ent attitude, and doubling his fists; " I'm
not afraid Of you, Bob Morton, II you arc
the Squirc's son, and I'd like int rate to
give you lickin' for that insult"
1t was not the right action nor the right
answer but the carpenters son forgot, in
that hour Of sore temptation, what many
that II is neither money nor station which
makes tho true gentleman, only tho heart
that is gentle, nnd noble, and well sustained;
and John Strong certainly descended when
he replied to the taunts Of tho Squires son,
aggramting as they were.
Robert Morton had handsome face, but
it was one of those, despite It's dark, clearly
cut features, which your heart never clung
to-on6 which the moro II was studied tho
less it was loved and now an expression Of
angry pride darkcned and distorted every
lincamcnt, us he stood still moment before
John Strong, and then lifting his whip,
struck him quick, sharp blow on the fore
head. The next moment the two boys closed
in an angry struggle. John was the smaller
oi tho two, but exercise had developed his
muscles, and given him degree Of physical
power which one would scarcely have sus-
pected from the first glance. He soon sue
ccedcd in wrestling tho whip from tho
Squlrc's son, and after efstrugglo threw
him on tho ground; and as Johns temper
had completely ovcrmastered him, he gave his
antagonist scyerer beating than ho was
himself aware Of.
"Oh, father, my Johnny sent ojail! I
shall never be able to Lift my head again."
and the mother wrung her hands, and tho
tears scattered themselves over her palo
checks.
II was dark day under the roof Of tho
little red house Of tho carpenter Jason
Strong.
The Squirc's son had executed his threat,
and so worked upon his fathers syinmthics
and indignation by the story Of tho wrongs
which he had received, that no had COM
mcnccd suit against tho carpenter on ac-
count of his son, and tho latter was sent to
Jail, because his father could not raise tho
hundred dollars which would have paid tho
boys bonds.
Jason Strong leaned his head in his hard
hands and groancd, while Minnie and Veal.
thy, who scarcely comprchcnded tho fearful
tidines crept close to each other In one cor
ncr of the kitchen, and sidlcd their little
brown hands into each others, and looked
with sorrowful faces upon tho father and
mother.
"My boy in JAIL" murmurcd tho poor
mother, us she paced, with locked hands, up
and down the room "my boy. that ! loved
10, and was 80 proud of. whose little brown
head have rocked TO sleep 80 many nights
in the cradle yondcr"-
"Oh, don't, don't, wife, "groaned tho car
penter, and his whole franc shuddercd liko
q sobbing child's while tho two girls cried
softly in tho corner.
And Just ut that moment the front gato
Of tho red house was opened, and man
strobe into the yard and up 10 the front door
"a man small and somewhat thin, but hav-
ing that rambling gait and sailors dross
which ut once indicated his nautical occupa-
tion.
Ills ewes roamcd moment over the hum
BILE cottage, It's NOISY roof embroidered with
golden devices of the sunset; then he lifted
the heavy handle Of the brass knocker,. and
cayo such q summons that II must have
reached tho ears oi any living soul under tho
low roof.
Minnie put her small, sweet facc out Of tho
front door, and looked up eagerly at tho
man.
"Can you tell me, littlc ono, ifs man by
tho namc o. Strong halls from this eraft?"
Tho blue eyes dilated with swoct wonder
1t tho strange language.
"l don't know what You mean"
"Ain't used 10 sailors yarns, eh. little sca
birdl Well. then, can you tell mo who
lives insidc?"
ellis names Jason Strong"
"Thc very man that I'm sfter,. e1clAim-
cd the s,ilor, setting his foot over the shrcsh,
hold; then, as II q sudden thought had
struck him, ho checked himself, and: looking
down caDcstly on tho child, he asked. 'wont
vou tellm YOUR name ]"