Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1869-04-16

At last Joe started suddenly to his feet
stretched himself upon tiptoe, and gazeG
earnestly across the fields.
what do you see?"
"Nothing." said Joe, and resumed hi!
seat and his carving. Suddenly he broke
out:
"Let's have dinner. You run up t.
the house and ask mother for suthin
t'eat."
A very comprehensive phrase that with
children. 1t means, first and foremost
bread and butter. What could mothers
do with children were it not for this sta
pie production 1t means bits of pie ano
pieces of cake, and in short, not to put toe
fine point upon it, it is anything left
over of the dinner.
I hesitated little. for my mother wa:
a most notable housekeeper, and the leas
bit of a scold, and hated muss and crumbs
and eating between meals, in her Greco
was one of the deadly sins. Presently
Joe gave me a warning glance. nodded
his head igni6cantly toward 1.-The pond.
1t was the glance of the married mans
eye. I rose 'hurriedly, consigned my lat.
est created rag baby to its cradle of birch
bark, meekly praying Joe to rock it while
[ was away. He nodded an assent, as
ran as fast as I could for the house.
Mother was in one of her happies
moods and gave me what [ asked, with
out delay or question. made haste back
to my own house-to my babies and Joe
The house and babies were there, but Joe
was nowhere to be seen.
I put my plate down upon the ground,
too shocked and paralyzed to hold it. I
felt I was deserted. My heart sank down
in my bosom like lead, and few hot tears
stained my cheek. Then sprang to my
feet. saying in the coolest tone of voice
possible, "I'll tear down the house! I'll
never play with Joe again-never. He
is mean. hateful boy"
'Who is p said voice near me.
Iturned quickly, and saw Hattie Moore
standing within my house.
''Who is so mean ?" she inquired again
"Joep
Then I told her all my woes-all my
cruel wrongs, all my bitter suferings.
"It was real mean in Joe," she said
Il am sorry for you-real sorry"
But somehow I knew she wasn't sorry
for me: I knew she was il love with Joe
herself.
''Did you see Joe anywhere?' Task
ed her. after little pause.
''Yes, I saw him and another boy 60
ing across the lot"
l knew that ''another boy" meant Tom
Bowers-a boy with red hair and freckled
face, and I hated him as cordially as I
ever have been able to hate any one since.
And Joe had gone off with ''that boy''
left his wife-his home-his five or six
small children. for the sake of being off
with 'that boy"
[ nursed my wrath in silence, and play
ed my part we'll before company: got sup
per; set before my guest the food which
was intended for my absconding husband.
[ ate nothing; food was then-and is
now-dust and ashes to me. when my
heart is full of trouble. Hattie enjoyed
her supper remarkably we'll, chattered and
laughed all the time.
When the sun was just above the top
of the cold oak stub," Hattie said she
must 60, and wanted me to 90 little way
with her. So [ put on my shaker, and
handed her hat at the same time, and I
went with her as far as the ''saw logs" :"
our careful mother never allowing US to
60 farther.
We separated there. Hattie running to-
wards home as fast as the wind, I thought,
and l walked back slowly, swinging my
shaker by the strings.
There was large, fiat rock by the road
side, where we always played a great
deal. 1t was the goal for all our foot
races. Joe was always betting cent, or
an apple, or handful of pop corn. that
he coula beat me in a run to the fiat
rock" and he always did beat. and won
the apple or corn from me. and when [
refused to pay over, he resorted to force.
and by his superior strength compelled
me to yield.
I took my station at the rock to await
the coming of Joe. for l knew he would
drive home the cows, and he must pass
this way. Presently saw the COWS COM
ing over the hill, and following close up
on their heels was Joe. He came bare
headed, carrying his palm leaf hat under
his arm.
Turn backward, oh Time, in your flight,
Make me child again just for tonight. f..
Bring back brother Joe to me-! Let
me see him as I saw him on that autumn
sunset. years and years ago! Brown,
bare feet; loose linen blouse; blue check
trowsers; brown curls, all wind-tossed
and tangled; clear bright eyes, through
which looked sunny, honest soul. All.
my eyes are blurred now-my lip quivers
when I think Of thee, my brother Joe
But there were no tears then. My face
sat like flint, nor even when he stood by
my side, close to me, leaning over and
holding out his hat, half full of winter
green berries, did my heart soften toward
him. The hurt was too deep. I felt
then-as I feel now-if you are my true
friend to-day you must be such tomorrow
come purring round me to soothe the
wound and make me all right again Out
upon such friends-I'll have none of