The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1867-08-07
a CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM.
BY r. s. ARTHUR.

Lies. Smooth walks, bordered with flow
ers, ran through The lawn; and everything
about the cottage and grounds had an air
Of taste and comfort.
A little way oil, and across the road,
stooJ another cottage but very different
in appearance. The lawn in front was
o,eretown with weeds. aud the walks with
coarse grass. The fence that enclosed he
lawn was broken IN many places, and The
gaze. held only By the lower hinge, stood
half open and aviy. No roses Or Vines
hung their green and crimson curtains
about the window, or clamberej up the
porch. The cottage hid once been white,
white AZ that befuie which the children
played; but now il was dlngy and soiled.
and looked furlofn and cumforuess.
rhere was IS much difference in the
appearance Of the Children - ~ the two
cottages. Oae was neatly and cleanly
dressed, and had happy lace. fpe clothes
If the other were la.r ari stiiltd, AM hi.
face had sober look. Oae played With
hearty enjoyment. laughing and shouting
a. times the other IL ! quiet and sabdued
way.
WI, this difference between the two
cottages aud the twn children: When Just
Suit. the cottage. and grounds were alike
in szc and beauty. and they tnat dselt 10
them alike happy.
II, Is sorrowlil 70 give the reasun. You
will knuw IL soon.
lin. isn't tlist yuur father I" asked the
well dressed boy. IS 4 man appeared com.
Ing down tie rnad little way III,
Jim started in half scared manner, and
turned towards the road. lie stood very
It'll for q moment or two. box ng al the
man. and then with face now red aud INV
very pale. shrans away and laid him.eli
close Gown upon the grass under sume'cuf.
rant bushes. SAYING a. he did 80. 10 chuk.
ing voice.
''Doa'i. Freddy. please, tell lin I'm
here"
i.igh, and joy went %; Of Freddy. fee
aisn. lie understood toD we'll what al ,his
meant.
Staggering ,lnua the rad came Mr.. HAr.
wood, Jim's iaihrr Mha sad sight II
was. Ashe drew nearer, aud Freddy VII.
sDr, held q the spOt where he was stand
| Iug as i round there hy i spell. saw his
| rel auli aspllen lace. aud heard him mt.
tcring And swearing Il himself. he shudlef.
eli ~llli feeling Of horror.
A, Mr. liar~ooh was passing the gate
hc .as Fre,lIy and slapped. Freddy be.
gln 70 trembir. lis hrsl though, vas IL
run back 70 the house bu, hc "a. 4 brave
little by. anl i went against his feeling.
u run away irum anything. - lie did not
#muss.
!" l. ny bay Jim hsre;' a,ked Mt. Har-
wood, II ~ angry sulcc. Some mrn when
f,lrunk are always III natared aud cruel, aud
Jim's father was one IT these.
Seelug Freddy. and knnaing that lie
tw" boys played much together, lie natural.
ly thought Of his own son.
Freddy did mol answer. lie could nol
tell liz. and 80 he said nothing.
"Did you hear me Z" growlel Mr.. liar.
wood morc angrils.
Still Freddy looked ii him and said NTH
ing. llr knew that ii llm's father iound
him there, he would Kick anil our him All
the ssy home. Mt that Jim was 10 m,
lauit, cr had ,llsobcycd bis lathcr but Mr.
llarwooil. ~ have said, was Toll of anger
and clucity when drunk. and tuOk 4 savage
pleasure ID abusing his little bpy.
Freddy began 10 feel brave. nav, be.
cause he wished q sasc jim from harm.
This Is usually The way. The moment We
lorget Ourselves, when IN danger. aud DC.
cnmc ANXIOUS about others. fear leaves u,
aud w grow calm and brave,
There was bolt on the inside Of the
g.te near which Freddy was standing.
With a s.calthy motion, moi seen by the
drunken man, he slipped this bolt and fas-
tened the gate. II was not done 40 Instant