The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1868-02-21

T. Master Tom fell into fit of med
atation, thereupon, and walked Will
T his curly head bowed, and his brigh
block eyes fixed upon the ground
until he reached the store. His erran6
accomplished, and he on his home.
ward way again, he resumed his train
of thought
> Il ought to move sprycr than this,
cause l am took in out of charity
an wear out my jackets, 1 ought
But l won't go so fast, neither-I'll
stop plum still, will And turning
off from the road, he deposited his
pail and himself under tree. Hay
ing thus declared bis independence
of Aunt Hulda and her orders, ht
began to look about for employment,
and presently began sitting the dry
sand through his fingers down upon
his bare feet.
Il wonder what a charity is any
howr he soliloquized Aunt Hulda
says it begins at home 1 guess it's
; something that haint got no endin'
cause l never seen it a. goin nowhere
else. AN now she says Pm a charity!
Wish | was a man, an I'd 60 off. /
would. 'Spect like as anyways I'll
never be inan, though; I'll be just
like all the ether charilies--haye a
fbeginnin' an have no endin' and
have to wear old jackets for always.
Amt | ashamed of myself, settin'
here? No, l ant; I'm glad 1 come
and Tom threw himself on his back,
and looking into the tree overhead.
Halo, young.one" said voice
from among the branches.
'Hallow yourself = said Tom, start
ing TO his feet in astonishment, who
are you?'
q am the king, and 1 have been up
in my turret chamber taking a sleep,
answered the man, beginning to de-
scend. As he neared the ground he
stepped upon dry branch that broke
and precipitated suddenly.
Your chamber stairs are ruther
riekety,' remarked Tom, finding that
he regained his feet without seem
ing to be injured. what did you
get up there for ?
Don't question me, boy; havn't
1 told you that 1 am the king ? res.
iponded the stranger with dignity.
What have you got theres' pointing
to the pail.
sMerlasses.'
i sIf you have any food about you,
give it to me- pursued the stranger,
with majestic air that was singularly
at variance with his tattered and for
lorn appearance give it to me out
of charity
'Oh, oh y said Tom with face Of
frightening interest, so you come out
of there too did you?'
'How do you know that ? demand
ed the man, with sudden wild
CLEAN in his restless eyes that one
older than the boy would have known
to be dangerous
Cause you said so. Why don't
you go back?'
Il won't tell you! l won't" said
the man, speaking fiercely and rap
idly, and fixing his eyes suspiciously
on Tom.
They took my crown away from me
while vas there; they have hidden
it away somewhere hereabouts and l
won't go back till I find it. You
had better not tell them where l
am
Il hain't agoin' to. I..ain't'no sneak,
1 amt answered Tom Indignantly,
Besides I come out O charity my
self, anyhow, Auut Hubby says
there's where she got me. / wish
she had lie It me alone, 1 do, cause
l don't like it any better now l am
out-leastways don't to day. he
added refectively, remembering that
Aunt Hulda was not always cross,
and feeling faint touch of self-re-
proach for his RIGHTEOUSNESS.
The king is hungry; he must have
something to eat,' remarked his COM
panion again, deisively.
Tom reflected. Aunt Hulda al
ways gave something to any one
that came along and said that they
were hungry, and he thought it
would be safe for him to follow her
] example, so he said
well Mister King, Aunt Hulda is
gone away, but if you'll come houie
with me I can find you something
and gathering up his stores he led the
way homeward, closely followed by
his strange friend, who cast furtive
and suspicious glances around him
at every step.
When they arrived at the hous,
Tom ushered him in at the back
door, and depositing his groceries,
proceeded on q search for edihles.
Presently he returned with huge
loaf of bread, roll of butter and q
carving knife.
There Mister King" said he, TIL
umphantly yet apologetlcally, Il
guess mebby that'll do you tor a
lunch. I'd get you some coffee or
tea, but you see, I amt used to doing
the cookin,' 1 amt.
'Mr. King paid no attention to his
remarks, hut attacked the lunch with
vigor that proved that he had not
overstated his hunger. Tom began
to entertain fears that there would be
nothing left by the time he was
satisfied, and drew a long breath of
relief when at last he moved back
from the table.
'Thar's your hat remarked the
young host, politely, feeling secretly
anxious that his guest should depart
before Aunt Hulda returned.
am going to examine, muttered
the man to himself. Tom did not
quite understand what he meant, but
he feared that it did not mean going
So he said again in an insinuating
tone
1t is getting late, it is; it'll be
dark pretty soon. and mebby your
Tom hesitated. The man looked too
old to have a mother, he thought, so
he added, mebby your grandmother
might be a wonderin where you was,
Won knaw'