The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1866-11-17
9Mistellarteo1ts.
GRANDPAPA's BEGGAR BOY.

OnAN d. L
DO but hear me, papa, do but epatlenct
with me few short moments, while" tell yor
exactly how found them. In a cellar papa, 9
DARK gloomy, musty cellar in narrow lane
where the sunshine never beams where the bird:
never sing, where flowers never grow where all
is filth and rottenness and he lay, yes, our dar'
ling Charlie lay upon few bundles of damp
straw, with only thin sheet to cover him, and
so pale, wan and emanciated-"
" Mary, command you to cease" and the old
mans voice fairly trembled with anger. He
made his own bed-let him lie in it ~
But, papa, the verest sinner in the world
would gain your pity did he suffer as now does
your only son. And then his wife, SO careworn,
yet so sanity, and his two sweet babes"
4" Hearken TO me, Mary" exclaimed Mr.. Som
ers, in a vehement tone you stop not this
instant, further pleading for" in spite of his
anger his voice grew husky here, infatuated
boy that unflial, son, that rebel TO home il
you ever speak again of him to me or any other
friend, I'll cut you off with but one shilling.
will, ay, by all the saints in the calendar will.
Go to your room, before-' curse you, too, he
was going to say, but then she glided softly to
his knee nestled upon it as in olden time, wound
her fair arms about his neck, and hushed his
voice with kisses.
. Go to, sis, you are but foolish girl after
all, and mean well enough, said he gently, as
one and another sweet caress melted upon his
lips and cheeks, d" but as you love me, and as
you value your Inheritance, never again allude
to this subject. interdict it henceforth and for
ever" And the old man gently touched her
pale forehead with his lips, and gazing mo-
ment in her dark, blue eyes, brimful of tears,
turned abruptly from her, put on his Overcoat,
gloves and hat, took up his gold-headed cane and
walked away.
1t was bright, beautiful winters morning,
light snow had fallen the night before, and
now every dingy roof sparkled like marble ter
race, while the streets and by-ways seemed lined
with swans down, SO featherly were the pure
drifting flakes that had whitened their dark
pathways. 1t was yet early, and but few were
abroad. Mr.. Somers footsteps was the first that
imprinted itself on the yielding snow, and child
like he pleased himself with marking how straight
was the path he made, and how regular the fall
of his foot. But the long avenue was paced at
length, and then he came to a crowded thor
oughfare, and was jostled about as all the rest
He went to the market, the grocery, and the
coal-yard, for the wants of his household reached
to all three that morning, and then turned his
steps once more towards home. The walks were
not yet swept, and as he again traversed the no.
BILE street, at whose farther end stood his prince
ly home, he saw with pleasure his own footprints
yet fresh in the snow, and carefully followed the
track. He had walked half the distance, when a
slight hoarse cough arrested his attention. The
sound came from behind him, and looking back,
he saw little fellow but four or FIVE years old,
only few yards distant, and was amused to see
the efforts he made to follow him in his own
broad steps. " Now go up, now go down. u
would be say to himself as be raised and let fall
his tiny feet and then, when they dropped in
the right place, he would clap his little red hands
and shout loud hurra. But in the midst. of
his glee, his foot slipped and down be went
But he lay only moment, and then was gently
raised by Mr.. Somers, who exclaimed as he held
him to his arms, 4" now you are up"
Yes, sir, and now am down." and he slid
from my arms and stood proudly alone. {" 1t
didn't hurt me- Sir"
(" ou are a brave boy not to cry over fall like
that Who are you, and where do you live ~
80, am only little beggar now, and live
in little cellar too Please sir, did you ever
beg, and will you tell me how, cause mother
sent me out to beg some breakfast for us all, and
don't know what to say, only I'm very hun
CRY and so is little sis and poor mother, and sick
father too. Are people good to little beggars,
sir ?'
There was naivette about the little one, so
earnest and so true, that it melted the old man .
heart entirely and too full OF tears to speak, he
only took the childs hand in his own and led
him to his own warm breakfast room. Softly
did Harrie, for such he told them was his name,
softly did he nestle in the velvet chair that was
drawn close to the glowing CRATE, and with won
dering eyes did he look about him, while Mr..
Somers and the maid rubbed hisred palms and
feet
And now that you are warmed, young Har-
re, what would you like to eat ~
,alr ybook aofroa A1,oo Gin. I to
love them dearly, and we used to have them
fore papa grew sick and poor" And it did the
old mans heart good to see the little beggar eat.
"Why, you were halfstarved, said he.
/" 0, yes, sir, we've been starving for week,
but mother couldn't bear to own we were beg
gars till to-day. Please sir, you We got so much
to eat, won't you let me bring her and little sis
ter to get their breakfast, and give us some for
father He's too sick to walk so far
Ay," said the host, " that will |. Fix up a
basket, Susan, and bid Thomas bring the car
rage. / am too tired too walk again. How
would you like ride, my little fellow.
g A ride, and will you be SO good?O, should
love it dearly, and you'll take mother and little
sister along, and father too wont you, cause he's
so sick ?' And the tears stood in his pleading
eyes.
:" Ay, ay. And little fellow, let me tell you,
you know how to beg, as do but few, for your
words drop clean into the heart. You are a
wondrous little beggar boy"
And do l know how to beg o, Pm so
glad, sir, cause now I'll keep them all in vic
tuals every day, and may be somebody'n give
me wood and coal, cause it's so cold to be with
out fire.
Now we will ride,' said Mr.. SomerS in a
husky tone, and taking up the heavy basket and
bidding Harrie follow, he walked to the front
door. While his hand was on the knob, Mary
came gliding down the stairway.
Pray, who is this, said she and where are
you going, father ?"
90, Pm little beggar boy, and this good old
man is going to take some vctuals to my home,
and then give us all ride Ny name is Harrit
but you, lady, who are your Why--you are
yes, yes--you are the same sweet one thai
came to our cellar once, and cried SO over u.s.
What did you tell me then to call you 10,
know it was Aunt Mary, and you said you'd
tell my grandpa what a fine little grandson wal
growing up for him to love. Please, lady, tel
me, is this my grandpa W
s Yes, Harriep AS s tna
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