The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1862-04-23
thoughts of the mother, whose constant
PRAYER in his behalf kept him from tempta-

prayer IN HIS pcHaii Sps A
ton.
Other thoughts. TOO, sometimes tltted across
his mind--thoughts of the stone school.house
beneath the maple trees--of the desk 10 the
corner, which had held his books for SO ma,
nv seasons, and Of certain black-eyed
curly haired girl, whose silyery laugh seem
ed to the driver boy like stray note from
the choir Of Heaven. What it as yet she
never had spoken to him or noticed him IN
any way, she might do so next winter, and II
she should, why then, he really dld not
know what then but when the boat stopped
next at Lockport andhe saw upon the deck
little girl with eyes and hair ike Jennie's
he kissed his hand TO her while his great
brown eyes danced with merriment beneath
The rim Of his palm leaf that as the indig-
lnant maiden exclaimed. THE vile, impu-
ldent boy 20 never dreaming that not to her,
lself but to one like her was paid this tribute
|of admiration.
] With many other youths Of fifteen he wor-
shipped Jennie Johnson, and worshipped her
the more because she was so far above him.
'"Ifshe would only look atme-only show that
she knew there was such being, he thought
until at last his wish was gratihed, and he
knew she was unconscious OF the "canal
driver with patches ON both knees" those
were her very words. and they entered like
iron into his soul, causing MIN to shed bitter
tears over the fate which made him despi-
sed canal boy, and over theadbare pantaloons
which he had patched himself with his sick
mother locking on, and commencing his
handy efforts. tie had brought home money
Ienough for new pair,--had even asked the
price at the village clothing store. and had
thought how nicely he should look in them,
and how in the spring when he went back 70
his work he'd give the old ones TO Billy
Warren, boy smaller and poorer than him.
self; but when he saw how his mother had
failed since the previous May. and heard
that wine would do her 50 much good. his
brave heart said, 'lll 90 without the clothes
and mother shall have the wine."
All. little did scholars of District No.
knew Of The noble sacrifice made by Willie
Warner, nor vet how keen a paHg The
lthoughtless Jennie's words inflicted. and
when from that night forth he came no mure
among them, they did not guess II was be-
cause he would not come with patches on
, both knees bat thought he siaid away be-
! cause Of his mothers health which failed day
. after day, until at last one cold March nigh
she died. blessing her Willie boy, and tell
ing him that only in Heaven would he know
! what he had been TO her. Through drifts D
snow, high piled upon the frozen earth. they
made her humble grave. and Willie. the on.
lly nourner, stood beside ii, lis slender form
enyeloped in the dear old shahl she used u
wear, not TO keep him warm, but to hide
! from view the patches on both knees, fol
Squire Johnson's carriage bad followed in
, the procession. and from lis window Jennie's
, handsome face looked out beneath jaunty
|, pink satin hood.
Rapidly the spring days faded into summer
which 10 all her regal beauty sat proudly up
on the hills, when one snltry August day
!, news came to The group of girls painting be
+ meath the Naples that Willie Warner wa
dead. He had died with cholera-so III,
story ran-and been buried By running
!. brook on the banks Of tie canal. Anothe
i item, too, was added, which was. that wheI
in tie last great agony the perspiration hs,
stood uppn his lips Ike beaded drops Of wa
ter, lie had talked 81 Jennie Johnson aud u,
!. patches on both knees.
! Jennie had forgotten the idle speech. an,
those about her who remembered IL were tnl
!. mercifuI TO cnlighten her when they saw hov
a her tears fell like rain 10 the memory ef poo
: Willie. Jeunie's heart was naturally kind
E loving one, aRd all through The remaining
8 simmer days and The ensuing autumn sh
4 talked Of Willie Warner, wondering wh,
. ne should think d her. and II there were an
flowers planted on his lonely grave. One
E she conceived the bold project Of rangin,
the length Of the canal until she found tha
o grave, but as this plan would necessarily 10
y yoIye runaway from home il was gwen up
# and as the years went on. The lonely gray
. vas forgotten By others than Jennie Jnhn
i son, who, IN the excitement Of being belle
n beauty, and an heiress. had no time I
h waste on memories Of the past, when sh
was romping girl, and chose sides AZ Ill
e spelling school.
! She was young lady, now. Of twenty two
v and 10 her travelling dress Of brown stou
II on the platform Of the depot, smoothing o
!" her neatly fitting gauntlet, tapping her lair
K little CATER against the pile Of baggage scat
!. tered at her feet, and chatting gaily wit
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