The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1870-10-27
Seletteo Storn.
AN ENGLISH STORY.

AN ENGLISH STORY.
''Whirr, whirrl' and the sparks flew of
the grindstone from the scissors held
against it. The man who was rrindipp
stopped a minute, felt the edge of the scis-
sors with his thumb, frightened the rivet,
and handed it 10 the servant who stood
WAITING tor it.
"Threepence, miss; thank YOU" and he
prepared to move on. will you get in,
Kittv?'
ono, grandpa; me not tired, said long
haired, blue-eyed child of about five wears
old, who toddled alongside She was poor
ly dressed, but perfectly clean; her hair
was SMOOTH and glossy, and her face had
look ofcontentment and trust; not a very
pretty child at first sight, but evidently a
bright docile little creature.
ANY knives or scis :ors to grind? any
pots, pans or kettles to mend?" shouted
the man as he pushed his little machine
with grlndstone and emerywheel, and a
smoking pan of charcoal dangling from il
before him. The barrow was like other
harrows of the sort, the only difference be-
ing that underneath, Just above the treadle.
was sort of fiat box, with a rug laid in il
"a very cosy little nest indeed,
Grandpa, me ride" presently said the
child
Jump in then, Kitty" and the child
curled herself up in the fiat tray, and was
presently fast asleep.
Al cay the man wheeled his grindstone
from street to street, with the child some
times awake, trotting alongside and prat-
Ting gayly, sometimes sitting or lying in
her little cradle.
When darkness came on, he turned from
the crowded streets and ceased his mono
tonous cry. He was evidently on his way
homeward Westward he went, up Oxford
street and along the Edgeware road. and
through n side street to q small arcbvay
Up tcis he drove his grinding machine
into a small yard; there, under cover of
shed, he slowed away his barrow, and lift
ing the sleeping child out of the rough era
die, he carried her tcnderly up stairs to a
room ut the top of the house; then LAYING
her on the bed, he proceeded to strike a
light. Leaving the candle burning. he
went down stairs again and into the crowd
ed road There he bought some hot pota-
toes from an itineraut vender. some bread
and some butter, and pint OF tea at a cof.
tee shop. This last he put into tin he
had brought with him, and then went bacI,
again 10 his room. He arranged his pur
chase to the best effect npon the little ia
bic. and then proceeded to wake M the
child.
Wake up. Kitty, YOU little sleepy-headl
Tea is ready; all hot, potatoes ard every
thing"
The child sat up, rubbed her eyes. and
then scrambled off the bed and cIambered
up on her grandfather's knee.
Me sleep so, so, 50 long" holding out
her arms to the fullest extent.
Yes. Kitty, and you would have silent
all night if would have let YOU"
Good grandpa, good nice supperr the
child said as she tried TO eat hot potato
''Ies, isn't il first rate, Kitty? You get it
for nothing. Miss Tucker, you know. had
10 sing for her supper"
Not Miss Tucker. grandpa Tommy
Thicker Tommy must have been a boy,
YOU know"
Yes ofeourse, Kitty. Well, you know,
he bad to sing for his supper"
II viii sing, grandpa" AMI she slipped
OIL his knee and stood with her hands fold
Cd reverently. and sang the Doxology 1T
the end o; the evening hymn. 1t was not.
perhaps. much like the air: but she sane
the words clearly aud distinctly in her
caild-voice
The old man bad ceased eating as she
began, and clasped his hands before him
too. y tear stood in his eve as she finish
ed
Very nice, Kitty, there's dear. You
have earned your supper; the potatoes are
rot too hot to eat now"
KITTY climbed up again on her rraudfa
TIERS knee, and ate her supper content
eddy, prattling meantime about a thousand
things.
Now. grandpa. tall me a story"
What shall it be. pussy? Jack the
GIant-killer Puss in Boots, or Jack and
the Beanstalk, or what?"
The Fair One with the Golden Locks.
grandpa. like THAI best"
The old man grayely began his story: but
he had not gone far before the eyelids closed
over the blue eyes, and the little head sank
on his shoulder.
'Fhere, Kitty" he said, THAT is enough
Tor tonight. Wake up, dear; say your
prayers, and 60 off TO bed"
Inc child reused up little, undressed
herSeit-for Size was handy little woman
and then came back in her white NIGHT
gown climbed up again on to her Grand
fathers knee, and, folding her hands. re-
peated little prayer, Then she said
Il have not filled your pipe, grandpa" and
going into corner, she fetched a lone
pipe. and filed it with tobacco from ?
pouch the old man handed her watched
until he had lit II. and then held up her
t@ce to be kissed
Now you are cumfe. she said, kitty
viii 20 to bed aud watch You
1t was not long she watched In a few
the long fringe drooped over the
eyes. and the child vas asleep.
; Either the pipe did not draw well. or the
smoker vas more thoughtful than usual:
f@r several times he relighted it, each time
IN mechanical way as if he were think
inc deeply
He was man If aps ff.v five years
''i; lis hair was yery gray, bat he had an
upright carriage, and something of the air