The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1865-12-30
@oath's department.
SAVED.

en- without knocking!
Pet was sitting there in one Of her
thoughtful moods; i,could see ,hro'
the side window, though the iuxuri-
ant grape-vines hid me completely
from view.
Al first sight the boy startled me.
He was uncouth-he was ugly. Not
only that, but his brow was low;
and to me his eye was vicious
Some children would have screamed
at such an apparilion-Pet did not.
Instead. smile broke over her face
like burst of sunshine.
Pet made us often tremble, often
sigh-her father and me. Not that
she was preternaturally good orgiv-
en- TO extraordinary speeches; but
there was strange attractiveness
about her-an notwithstanding
we never would say the word to
each othsr. Her little soul seemed
to flow out toward you; you felt i'm
PEELED TO speak. ay, even to think
purely in her presence. Nothing
human repulsed her; have shudder-
ed 10 see her clasp a filthy little crea-
ture round the neck. Every body
was nice with her, and in her vo-
cabulary nice meant good.
But to go back to the intruder.
1t startled me to see her smile: but
in an instant the boy looked shamed.
A flush spread to the purpiish swell
lings under his eyes.
is 90 hungy!' cried Pet, in her
clear, small bird-like voice. A mo-
ment after she emerged from her
corner with lovely rosy apple, that
filled both wee hands, and running
toward him, her eyes shining, ,ho't
| had never seen SO beautiful an ex-
preston in a human face.
Take us, and 'Ool be nice-'oo
is nice, amt 'oo!'
He seemed to hesitate.
Take it, said |, cheerily; Pet
would rather you would eat it, !
know. What did you wish when
you came! Can | do any thing for
you" coming in as ] spoke.
The tears stood in his eyes now.
Il don't know as wantanyihing,
ma'am. I-well-I-l-don't know
as | need anything
Have YOU homer | asked.
sA-a-L.ome-that's what new
er's. had
'Div him somefin more, mamma
said Pet, pitifully, grieving for the
tears.
He looked at her with an almos:
worshipping glance.
Ihaye two or three cords of wood
that want splitting said |.
'I'll do it, he cried Frightening.
Can trust your | asked; but
tried to say it with smile.
Yes, you may. indeed you may
he said; and then, with a swift mo-
ton jerked his sleeve across his eyes,
He told me he was called Berthe.
and impaired his name to Pet. So
every little while she would pat. pa,
to the head of The stairs, and CRY out:
'Bertie-is 90 nicer then throw
back her little head aud burst into
such silvery peals of laughter, that |
laughed softly TO myself every time
| heard her.
Berthe came next day to finish
the job, and his gray eyes that | had
thought so wicked, grew positively
beautiful at sight Of Pet.
o, love her, ma'am' he exclai-
med. o, I'd give anything if might
kiss her, ma'am.'
pet, Berthe wants to kiss | said.
is 90 nicer laughed Pet, suspen-
ding her busy little operations.
sNo-no-I amt NICE he said re-
morsefuIly.
She seemed 10 deliberate a mo-
ment, then she said, slowly:
We'll, 100 MUST be nice;' came up
to him and put up her rosebud lips.
He kissed her-made that swift,
awkward motion with his sleeve
ugain, and went to his work.
NV husband became interested in
the boy. depend upon it, Hetty,'
he said, 'he's a neglected genius, or
he never would have shown sensibil-
ty. I'll see about him.
lie did see about him 10 some
purpose. He gave him occupation;
;ound him reliable and steady. The
var broke ont-Bsriie enIisied-was
and came near dying in
he hospital. From Ina, sick-bed he
eturned home refined, spiritulized.
Ii! me, he came home 10 weep ov- a
r Pe,'s still, woxen features. sseA
Or my little salvaiion!' he cried,
Nth tears Of agony; under Cod
~ little Savio,!''. - o. a
Pa, in her home above, must re-
,iesss !. Size sees Bertie-now an ear a
ese aie,,la ia Christi for this sketch >
no, al Ilncy. Ber1ie viii be
,ini.,. i.i.,, brand saved from