Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1866-01-31
M iosrellany
SETH BASS. THE ORPHAN hoy.

SETH BASS. THE ORPHAN BOY.
II wont do it-there, now. | wont
stay in such place had rather sleep
out doors. and beg my bread from house
t. house" a.A1 aai ri g.g.ga 'hf'21 (
+ This was said by boy named Seth
Bass, who was standing one Sunday morn
ing in the shed attached to Farmer Jud-
kin's house, surrounded by heap Of old
boots and shoes in the midst Of which
stood bottle of Ravens wing blacking.
A few weeks before this, Seth's father
had died, leaving his son the, alternative
of going to the workhouse, or to Farmer
Judkin's. Seth would have been much
better off if he had chosen the almshouse,
but, like great many poor persons. he
had an unreasonable prejudice against
such institutions, and preferred going to
the farmers which was in truth much
more of a soork-house than the public
building which went by that name. Seth
soon found this out, for he was kept hard
at work from early morn till late in the
evening, and had scarcely any time for
his meals. He thought that at least he
should have Sunday for a day Of rest
but no, 1t was work then, the same as any
other day. bass garDtoalm. So lmw.
Finally Seth determined to do every
thing all up Saturday night, 80 that moth
ing remained to be done the next morn.
! ing. 1t was almost midnight when be
crept up stairs to his bed, but he felt that
on the morrow he might have chance to
attend church or Sunday school, perhaps.
The morning dawned, and with it dis,
appointment The cruel farmer seemed
displeased to find the work all done 50
quick but not to be put off in such way,
he ordered Seth to black and polish all
the boots and shoes which had accumu-
lated in closet under the stairs for years.
Seth's heart was full he managed to
carry the great pile Of boots out into the
shed, bat When he saw how long it would
take him, and how it would spoil his Sun.
day, he felt that it was too bad, and at
last uttered the words with which our story
opens.
Seth threw the old boot that he had
been brushing the mould from, down upor
the hoor seized his hat. and hurryiDe
through the garden. he climbed the fence
at the further end, and started on a rur
across the broad fields which lay befor'
him He did not know where he was 60
ing, but he intended to run away as ia
as possible from old Judkins. The gras
was soft and green, the sun shone bright.
upon it, and 10 short time the music
the chul ch bells all around, ringing ou
their gladsome music, made the whole da..
q. so charming that Seth thought he coul'
walk for miles without fatigue. '" '
After proceeding for about five miles
he came to highway, which, from its ap
: pearance, seemed to he we'll travelled. Uu
: certain which way to follow it, Seth sa
G down on the bank Of the roadside, an
/. was thinking the matter over, whe
. he heard q scream, as of some one i
a fright, and looking down the roat
: he saw horse, attached to a buggy, rur
ming fnriously along and young girl, th
sole occupant of the vehicle, was screamin
t for help. ... .., ,.n,
D Seth sprang Immediately to the rescue
n He did not think of the danger to him
l. Sc f, but, placing himself directly in tn
9 animals way, he seized the rein firmly
i, his hand. The shock was too much f
i. him; the horse plunged, and threw Set
l. under his hoofs. wheel of the carriae
y went over him, and he laid in the roat
y half stunned and bleeding. The hors'
as if conscious of having done mischi'
enough, stopped still in the road, and ii
e Young girl availed herself Of the oppo
tunity to get out She approached Setl
1t aud, with looks Of pity and gratitud
!, asked if he was much hurt, y ,''' '.'
st 81 think not" he replied ''but ! cal
5. not rise Just yet. / am glad | stoppc
n the horse. though, for you might have be-
. killed" -" ',1 .'.....
s. :, "My father will soon be along I
e. was close by when the horse took fngh
ns and he tried to catch him. but could nc
- Here he comes now Aud Caroliue Ho'
:. ell waved her hand to her father, who W
e, not far distant In q few minutes NJ
50 Howell was with them, breathlcss and G
hausted.
n. Ho. however, with his daughters hel
81 =: managed to lift Seth to the roadside, wht
" il was ascertainei that his left arm "
IN. broken. besides being pretty well bruis
lis in various parts Of his body.
/. !, "What is your name, my brave boy
to. inquired Mr.. Howell. .4
- .Seth Bass" 81
N. "And where do you liye?" continr
he Mr.. Howell. '
me Nowhere !"
"Nowhere |" echoed Mr.. Howell, mt
ps. astoDishcd. ="
ees &C., Seth saw alook Of iucredulity in the 6
lila tleman's face. and said {:
of ait il true. Ihave no homo, no frie
2" no relations, and all thelpropersy tha
49, a - tka faw article,