The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-05-20
1JFE AT PLUMFIELD WITH JOS BOYS
CHAPTER 1.

NAT.
@Pleases sir,s this Plumfeld?" asked rag
,ed boy of a man who opened the great gate
At which the omnibus lett him.
eyes; who sent you?' e,ho
"Mr. Lawrence. have got letter lor 'n'
lady" a o;ro If
"All right; 90 up to the house, ana s"o ="
to hel she'll see TO you, little chap.
The man smoke pleasantly, anu Ihe poy
,ro,, on ,aa,;,to much cheered by the words.
,Thr'mrh tbe soft spring rain that Tell on
snrontino grass and budding trees, Nat saw
Iaroe soriare house before him-a hosptable-
looking house, with an old fashioned porch,
with wide steps, and iishts SHINING IN many
wisdows. Neither curtains nor shutters hid
the cheerful gimmer; and pausing moment
before he rang, Nat saw maIy little shadows
dancing on the walls, heard the pleasa mt hum
of young voices, and felt that it is har div pos
sible that tue light and warmth and comfort
within could bestor homeless 'litlle chap"
like him.
IL hope the lady aUil see to me- he
thought; and gave timid rap with a great
bronze knocker, which was a jovial grimm
head.
A rosy-faced servant-maid opened tne dooi,
and smiled as she took the letter WHICH sue
silently offered. She seemed used to recelv-
ING strange BOYS, for she pointed 10 q seal Ill
the hall, and said, with nod
s.Sit there and drip on the mat bit, While
I take this in to missis."
Nat found plenty to amuse him while he
waited, and stared about him curiously, enjoy
ing the view, yet glad to do so unobserved IN
the dusky recess by the door,
The house seemed swarming with boys,
who were beeuiIing the rainy twilight with
all sorts of amusements. There were boys
every where, "up- stairs and downstairs and
in the lady's chamber" apparently, for vari-
Gus open doors showed peasant groups of
big boys, little boys, and middle-sized boys
in all stages of evening relaxation, not to say
effervescence. Two large rooms on the light
were evidently school-roOms, Tor desks, maps,
blackboards, and books We're scattered about.
An open fire burned OH the hearth, and sew
eral indoent lads lay on their backs before it,
discussing new battle-ground, with such
animation that their boots waved in the air.
A tall youth was practicing on the flute in
one corner, quite undisturOed by the racket
all about him. Two or three others were
Jumping over the desks, pausing, now and
then, to get their breath, and laugh at the
droll sketches Of a little wag who was caricat-
uring the whole household on bls ck-board.
In the room on the left long supper-table
was seen, set forth with great pitchers of new
milk, piles of brown and white bread, and
perfect stacks OF the shiny gingerbread so
dear to boysh souls. A flavor OF toast was
in the air, also suggestions of baked apples,
very tantalizing to one hungry little nose and
stomach.
The hall, however. presented the most in
viting prospect of all, for brisk game OF tag
was going on in the upper entry. One land
ing was devoted to marbles, the other 10
checkers, while the stairs were occupied by a
boy reading, girl singing lullaby to her doll
two puppies, a kitten, and asconstant success
ion of small boys sliding down the banisters
to the great detriment of their clothes, and
danger to their limbs.
So absorbed did Nat become in this exct-
ing race, that he ventured farther and farther
out OF his corner; and when one very lively
boy came down SO swiftly that he could not
stop himself, but fell off the banisters with a
crash that would have broken any head but
one rendered nearly rs nard as cannon-ball
by eleven years of constant humping, Nat for
got himself, and ran up to the fallen rider, eX.
pecting to fird him halfdead. The boy
however, only winked rapidly for second
then lay calmly looking up at the knew face
with surprised "Hullow
"Hullop ~ returned Nat, not knowing what
else to say, and thinking that form of reply
both brief and ease.
"Are you new boy ?" asked the recumbent
youth, without stirring.
"Don't know yet"
"Whats yonr name?P
"Nat Blake"
mines Tommy Bangs come up and have
a go, will you?" and Tommy got upon his
legs like one suddenly remembering the du.
ties OF hospitality.
"Guess | won't till see whether Pm going
to stay or not" returned Nat. feeling the de-
sire 20 stay increase every moment.
IL say, Demi, here's new one. Come and
see to him.; and the lively Thomas returned
to his sport with undated relish.
At his call, the boy reading ON the stairs
looked up with pair of big brown eyes, and
after an instant's pause, as if a little shy, he
put the book under his arm, and came sOberly
down to meet the new conner, who found
something very attactive in the pleasant face
of this slender, mild eyed boy.
"Have you seen Aunt JO?" he asked, as il
that was some sort OF important ceremony.
IL haven't seen anybody yet but you boys
I'm waiting." answered Nat.
"Did Uncle Laurie send your" proceeded
Demi, politely but gravely.
"Mr. Lawrence did,"
ale is Uncle Laurie; and he always send:
nice boys"
Nat looked gratifed at the remark, and
smiled, in way that made his thin race very
pleasant. He did not know what to say next
so the two stood staring at one another in
friendly silence, till the little girl came up
Demi, only not so tall, and had rounder
roster face, and blue eyes.
"This is my sister Daisy" announced Demi
as If presenting rare and precious creature
The children nodded to one another; ant
the little girls face dimpled with pleasure, a
she said, affably:
II hope you'll stay. We have such goot
times hele; don't we, Demi?"
'Of course we do; that's what Aunt 10 has
Plumfed for"
at seems a very nice place indeed" OBJ
served Nat, feeling that he must respond tt
these amiable young persons.
Its the incest place in the world; isn't it
Deml?" said Daisy, who evidently regarded
her brother as authority ON all subjects.
No; think Greenland, where the Iceberg
and seals are, is more interesting. But Pm
fond OF Piumteld. and it is a very nice place
to be in" returned Demi, who was interested
just now in book on Greenland. lie wa
about to offer to show Nat the pictures ant
explain them, when the servant returned
saving, with nod toward the parlordoor,-
"All right; you are to stop"
I'm glad now come 10 Aunt Jo." And
Daisy took hi IN by the hand with pretty
protecting air, which made Nat feel at home
at once.
Demi returned to his beloved book, while
his sister led the newcomer into a back room
where stout gentleman was frOlicking wi til
two little boys on the sofa, and thin lady
was just finishing the letter which she seemed
to have been re-reading.
''Here he is, Aunty" cried Daisy.
$50 this is my new boy? am glad to see
you, my dear, and hope you'll be happy here"
said the lady, drawing him to her, and strok-
lrg back the hair from his forehead with a
kind and motherly look, which made Mats
lonely little heart yeafn toward her.
She was not at all handsome, but she had a
merry sort of face, that never seemed to have
forgotten certain childish ways and looks,
any more than her voice and manner had +;
and these things, hard to describe but very
plain to see and feel, made her a genial, com
Portable kind of person, easy to get ON with,
and generally "Jolly, as boys would say. She
saw the little tremble of Mats lips as she
smoothed his hair, and her keen eyes grew
softer, but she only drew the shabby figure
nearer and said, laughing:
9! am Mother Bhaer, that gentleman is
rather Bhaer, ana these are the two little
Blazers. Come here, boys, and see Nat"
The three wrestlers Obeyed at once; and
the stout man, with chubby child on each
shoulder, came up to welcome the new boy
Rob and Teddy merely grinned at him, but
MIR. Bhaer shook hands, and pointing to a
low chair near the fire, said, in a cordial
voice:
There is place all ready for thee, my son;
SIT down and dry thy wet feet at once"
wet? SO they are! NY dear, off with your
shoes this minute, and I'll have some dry
things ready for you in jiffy," cried Mrs.
Bhaer, buslling about SO theoretically, that
Nat found himself in the cosy little char.
with dry socks and warm slippers on his feet,
before he would have had time to say Jack
Robinson, if he had wanted to try. He said