Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-05-16
Little Walter,


his chair; he was obliged to lie nearly always
and the only change he had was when he was
wheeled in the morning from the bedroom
where he stayed all day. Walters father and
mother were dead, and the people he lived
with had not much time to notice or think
about him. They used to come into the room
every morning, and then he saw them no more
until dinnertime. lie used to hear them run
Ming up and down stairs, going out and in
Shall tell you how he spent the long hours
when he was left by himself?
a kind lady had given him a few story
books, and little horse and cart that made a
tlnklng when it moved its wheels The first
thing lie did every morning was to push this
cart up and down the room with long stick :;
he liked to hear the bells ringing as the cart
moved, but as he had no one TO talk to about
1t, he soon got tired of playing with it, and
then showed it into its place under the table,
and took his picture story books. lie could
not read; no Que had ever taught him; but he
Iikcd to look at the pictures, and fancy what
they were all about And he liked to look
down into the street, and watch the people
passing his window, and to learn to know their
faces
The first person who used to come every
morning was the butchers boy When be
came in sight he always set off running. and he
made an odd face as he looked up at the little
window, which at FIRST frightened Walter but
afterwards he thought that perhaps the butch
rr'f boy did it TO arpnusc him, aud if so it was
kind OF him TO DO SO. The milk boy used 20
l)ok up at the window and touch his cap and
that pleased Walter. At four o'clock the
1, i u
five, on winter evenings, came the lamp light
er. 1t was a treat to Walter 10 watch him
He could see five lamps from where he lay,
and there was one just opposite his little win
dow.
Bat there was something still better about
the little street iulo which Waltes's window
looked. There was u day school for bows and
girls at the end Of it, and as Walter saw the
scholars pass down the street four times every
day, he learned to know their faces, and
thought he made out great deal besides. On
his very worst days, when he was obliged to
lie back and often shut his eyes, on account Of
the pain in his head, he used to brighten up
aud feel better when the time came for after
aoon school TO break up.
He used to long so to know WHO would 20
straight home, aud who would stay to play in
tho street, and what games they would choose
he made up names for boys from things he
had .sen them do There was Beat his little
brother; Walter could not Ike that boy, or
feel glad when he won o game. There WAS
Always S-a.IiItIe-tOOIat lie was fat good
natured looking boy. Walter longed every
morning to call out to him. and tell him to be
quick when Z e saw him sauuterHg round the
corner OF the street, with his green bag trail
ing in the dust, Just as the school bell stopped
ringing. Then there was a nice boy whom he
called Give-hs-app!e-away; and little Justin
time, whom always reached the little school
room door the very minute before is was clos
ed, hut who had to run fort it, which made
poor Waiter very anxious on his account
Besides there was little boy and girl who
always walked to school handn hand Walter
thought he wcAId fancy them to be johnny
and Naomi. They were not too fall Of their
owH business or their own play TO think about
Walter The very first time they passed
Naomi touched Johnny's shoulder, and they
both looked up at the window and smiled and
nodded; and ever after that, four times every
day. they used to stop and Walter nodded and
smiled, and kissed his pale thin hand to them.
Even when it rained they did not forget Wal
ter and so Walter liked seeing them pass bet
ter than anything else that happened to him
all through the day.
johnny and Naomi did not often stay to
play with the other children in the street it !
was now and then on a sunny afternoon, that
Walter could see Johnny win race, and |
Naomi play at shuttlecock, and he was always
pleased when he thought they won, and some
times used to clap his hands and shout, though .
he knew well that no one could ear hhim.
4 winter passed and summer, and it was
winter again, and Walter had seen Johnny
and Naomi every day; when one cold, snowy
Johnny passed, and stopped to look |
mp and smile, but without Naome. Walter .
felt sorry.
al wish tomorrow was come" thought he |
u that might see them both" Tomorrow
came; all the children passed the window on
their way to school except johnny and Naomi |
Day followed day, but poor Walter never saw
them ugain.
Three weeks passed away, and one morn.
ng Walter was looking down the street from |
MS window, when an old man came and knock
ed at the door, and asked to see him.
The old mao took hold Of Walters thin
hand and sat down in a chair beside him ; then
ne took parcel out OF his pocket and began |
o unpack it. There was a doll in land a top, |
md an old story book.
Walter knew the doll and the top well; they
we're Johnny's and Naomi'S favorite play ythngs. |
which they had shown him at the gate.
The old man then said 10 Walter, my lit.
lie grandchildren used often to tell me about
7ou; they were afraid you would be unhappy
when you did not see them come down the
street. They begged me to give you these
olaythings, that you might have something TO
muse you, now that you will not see them
again"
mot see them again 2" said Walter; "why,