American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1867-07-24
Snistellaneous,
A CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM.
BY T. S. ARTHUR.

Two children were playing on lawn
in front of white cottage. Around the
poreh and windows climbed roses and
honeysuckles. Smooth walks, bordered
with flowers, ran through the lawn and
everything about the cottage and grounds
had an air of taste and comfort
A little way off, and across the road,
stood another cottage; but very different
in appearance The lawn in front was
oyergrown with weeds, and the walks with
coarse grass. The fence that enclosed
the lawn was broken in many pIa les, and
the gate, held only by the lower hinge,
stood half open aud awry. No roses or
vines hung their green and crimson cur
tains about the window, or clamberod up
the porch. The cottage had once been
white, white as that before which the
children p'aysd but now it was dingy
and soiled, AMI looked forl9rn and COM
fortless.
There was as much difference in the
appearance of the children as in the two
cottages. One was neatly aud cleanly
dressed, and had happy face, The
clothes of the other we're poor and soiled,
and his face had a sober look. One play
ed with hearty enjoyment, laughing and
shouting at times the other in a quiet
and subdued way.
WHY this difference between the two
q cottages and the two childreul When
lust built, the cottages and grounds were
alike in size and beauty, and they that
dwelt in them alike happy
1t is sorrowful to give the reason. You
will know it soon.
"Jim, isn't that your father?" asked
the well.dressod boy, as man appeared
coming down the road a little way off.
Jim started in half-scared manner
md turned towards the road. He stood
very still for moment or two, looking at
the man, and then with face now red
and now very pale, shrank away and laid
himself close down upon the grass under
some currant bushes, aging as he did So
in choking voice,
u" Don't, Freddy, please, tell him I'm
here" sa,v.f Haa l....
Light and JOY went out of Freddy's face
also. He understood too well what all
this meaut. @ ha-~ f.-.-t
Staggering down the road came Mr..
Harwcod, Jim's father What sad sight
it was. As he drew nearer, and Freddy
Wilson, held to the spot where he was
standing as If bound there by spell, sa v
his red and swollen face, and hea' d him
inuttering and swearing to himself, he
sliuddered with a feeling of horror.
As Mr.. Hawood was passing the gate
he saw Freddy and stopped. Freddy be-
gan to tremble His first thought was to
run back to the house; but he was brave
little boy, and it went against his feelings
to run away from anything. So he did
not move.
Is my boy Jim here Z" asked Mr..
Harwood, in an angry voice. Some men
when drunk are always .il.natured and
cruel, and Jim,s father was one of these.
Seeing Freddy, aud knowing that the two
boys played much together, he naturally
thou ght of his own son.
Freddy Gid not answer. He could not
tell lie, and so he said nothing.
q Did you hear me2 growled MIR.
Harwood, more angrily.
Still Freddy looked at him and said
nothing. He knew that if Jim's father
found him there, he would kick and cuif
him all the way home Not that Jim
was in any fault, or had disobeyed his
father; but Mr. Harwood, as have said,
was full of anger and cruelty when drunk,
and took savage pleasure in abusing his
little boy.
Freddy began to feel braver now, be-
eause he wished to save Jim from harm.
This is usually the way. The moment
we forget ourselves, when in danger. and
become anxious about others, fear leaves
us, and re grow calm and brave.
There was bolt on the inside of the
gate near which Freddy was standing
With stcalthy motion, not seen by the
drunken man, he slipped this bolt and
{ fastened the gate. 1t was not done an
instant too soon, for Mr. Harwood, grow
ing furious, made dash towards the boy,
aud tried to get at him through the gate.
You young dogl' he cried, "Ill
teach you manners Why don't you an
swer me Where's Jim2
Mr.. Harwood ratified the gate violently,
and tried, with his unsteady handsst to Ind
the bolt on the inside But his efforts
were in vain. lie could not reach the
little fellow, who stood close up to him
with brave but sorrowful face.