The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1869-12-02

What shall tell EN-. Nancy
y on can tell en- replied Nancy,
in II rather tart tone, . that I've no /
help about my work. and its as much
as can do to get ready for sunday
Deacon Thornc got flea iii his ear.
He had told his wife that lac thought
she could get along without girl,
now that the summers work was
done, and the weather cool. Mrs.
Thornc had reluctantly consented to
try it. for she, too, was-as Peggoty
observed 10 Barkis, pretty near and
had an eve to the main chances
When | saw the old piebaid horse
hitched to tile old green wagon, and
the deacon seated therein. and all to-
gether moving through the gate, /
hurried down stairs. and through the
wOodshed, and took my way TO the
barn. Pushing open the door, and
following the sound of suppressed
sobs, l fonnd Jimmy, creAchede in a
corner, with his head half hidden in a
tuft of hay. quivering with pain and
excitement. When | put MY hand
upon him, he slrank from the touch
when | spoke his name, he looked up
with the look of Il dog that had been
beaten; when l lifted his neal and
pillowed it upon my lap. floods of
tears gushed forth. let him have
good cry, soothing him by passing
my hand lightly over his damp hair.
When he grew calmer IlooScncd his
SHIRT band and looked at his bacl; and
as did so, bit my lips to suppress a
scream. 1t was literally covered with
livid wells, and in some places the
blood came through the skin.
Drawing his shirt-band up ana
fastening it around the neck, and com
manding, as well as l could my trem-
bling voice. 1 proposed to him to go
with me to his room and rest awhile
He rose slowly to his feet, and. put
ting his hand in mine, we proceeded
toward the house and gained the
chambers i'll the same way had left
them, unseen by Mrs. Thorne.
persuaded him to undress and lie
down upon the bed, and while /
bathed his aching head and bruised
back. he told me what the otlcnsc was
for which his father had beaten him.
I'll give the story in his own words.
Last week, he, referring to his
father; it was curious TO see how he
avoided the word - father-told me
if would dig all the 'taters in the
south patch, | might go chestnutting !:
the next day he said he did not prom
ise me, but ] stuck to it and he did.
and told him right where lie stood
when he said it. Then he said he
didn't care if he did say so, couldn't, t,
for l must pick up cider apples, and
if I'd be a good boy and work right
smart L might g5sfo-ts.fy i55fiT T skncNs
he wouldn't keep lis word. and oilas
Bruce was a-going to-day. and want
cd to go too, for the squirrels was IL
carrying off the nuts as fast as they
could, and Sile Bruce, and all the
boys, have got as MANY agin as | have
| and when i asked him if | might go
ont he said No, 1 shouldn't and told
me to go over i'll the back lot and Git
the sheep. and pretended 10 go, and
went off with the other boys 10 hunt
chestnuts, and he came through the
woods a-luntin for the old mare. and
saw me there, and he asked me what
| was there for, and ] said | couldn't
find the sheep in the LOT, and was a
looking for them in the woods, and he
said the sheep was i'll the lot, and he
seed 'em when he was a comm
| through ii, and told me | had lied,
and he would lick me; but j
stuck to it did not lie, for l knew
he'd lick me anyhow. and he has, and
| hate him and I'll run away I'D rath-
er live way off on an Island like Rob-
inson Crusoe, and have Friday TO live
with me, than 10 live here and be
licked every day"
What could | say?
] said nothing: but sung him fast
asleep, and left him sleeping, and
went down stairs thinking to talk 10
his mother about him: but | found
her up to her elbows in -four, and hel
head full OF baking for tomorrow
and pursed-up expression of her
mouth warned Me 10 keep shady
And so | wandered off 10 the orchard
and sat down among tie yellow ap.
pies. aud held my tongue: bnt i'll my
heart OF hearts thanked God that l
was an oil maid and had no boys to
bring ui,.
AT night the Deacon came home
turned out lis horse. ate his supper
and then enquired where Jimmy was
Mrs. ThorEc did not know. He looked
surprised. not to say alarmed, took
down his hat. and went at quick
back, ant-lIi confess i'll cimckled
20 sec him look pale and scared.
i!ad a good mind to keep still and LEI
lim get what Theodore Winthrop
ais q = r:ickly scare but he cam,
direct TO me and asked mo if l knew
here be was. l reluctantly an.
~wered-"Up stairs in bed. and asleep
and added maliciousiy, :: sick, too
and shouldn't wonder if he has tc
have IL doctor before he gets through
Will, it.
7 The deacon shot an inquiry from
.'aneaih his shaggy brows, and went
,.p stairs. / woriii have given all Ill,
/. copies in Tic orchard TO have seer
lini rs he stood over his bruised and
,JGatcn boy.
lie came down stairs with slow
,csitaiiig step, and Il look on his face
;hat | thought BODIED much good tc
T