New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-06-18
The New Boy.

~ hope the lady will see to me- he
thought; and gave timid rap with the
great bronze knOcker, which was a .iovia]
griffin head.
A rosy-faced servant maid opened the
door, and smiled as she took the letter
which he silently offered. She seemed used
to receiving strange boys, for she pointed
to seat in the hall, and said with a nod:
''Sit there, and drip OH the mat a bit,
while l take this in to misss'
Nat found plenty to amuse him while he
waited, and stared about him euriously,
enjoying the view, yet glad to do so unob-
served in the dusky recess by the door.
The house seemed swarning with bows,
who wese beguiling the rainy twilight with
all sorts of amusements. There were bows
everywhere, ''up stairs and down stairs and
in the lady's chamber" apparently, for
various open doors showed pleasant groups
of big boys, little boys, and middle-sized
boys in all stages of evening relaxation.
not to say etfervescence. Two large rooms
ON the right were evidently schoolrooms.
for desks, maps, blackboards and books
were scattered about. An open fire burned
on the hearth, and several indOlent lads Law
on their backs before it, discussing a new
cricket ground, with such animation that
their boots waved in the air. A tall youth
was practicing on the flute in one corner,
quite undisturbed 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 little wag who was caricatur-
ing the whole household on blackboard
In the room on the left long supper
table was seen, set forth with great pitch
ers of new milk, piles of brown and white
bread, and perfect stacks of the shiny
gingerbread so dear to boyish souls. A
flavor of toast was In the air, also sugges-
tions 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
landing was devoted to marbles, the other
to checkers, while the stairs were occupied
by boy reading, girl singing lullaby to
her doll. two puppies, a kitten, and a con-
slant succession 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 excit-
ing race, that he ventured farther and far
Their out of his corner; and when one very
lively boy came down so swiftly that he
could not stop himself, but fell off the ban
listers with crash that would have broken
any head but one rendered nearly as hard
as cannOn-ball by eleven years of constant
humping, Nat forgot himself, and ran up to
the fallen rider, expecting to find him half
dead. The boy, however rapidly winked
for second, and then lay calmly looking
up, at the new face with surprised |
''Hullo!"
"Hullo!" returned Nat not knowing
what else to say, and thinking that form of |
reply both brief and easy.
care you new bOy?" asked the recum-
bent youth, without stirring.
Don't know yet"
Whats your name?"
"Nat Blake"
mines Tommy Bangs come up and
nave go, will you!" and Tommy got |
lpOn his legs like one suddenly remember
ng the duties of hospitality.
Guess | won't, till see whether I'm go
ng to stay or not" returned Nat, feeling
he desire to stay increase every moment.
81 say, Demi, here's a new one. Come
md see to him." and the lively Thomas re-
urned to his sport with undated relish.
At his call, the boy reading on the stairs
OOked up with pair of big brown eyes,
nd after an instants pause, as if little
by, he put the book under his arm, and
anne sOberly down to greet the new conner,
Tho found something very attractive in the
leasant face OF this slender, mild-eyed boy.
"Have you seen Aunt JO!" he asked, as
that was some sort of important cere-
lony.
81 haven't seen anybody vet but you
Oys I'm waiting" answered Nat
Did Uncle Lauri sent yOu?" prOce eded
)emi, politely, but gravely.
"Mr. Laurence did"
"He is Uncle Lauri; and he always sends
ice boys"
Nat looked gratifed at the remark, and
niled in way that made his thin face
cry pleasant. He did not know what to
~ next, SO the two stood staring at one
mother in friendly silence till the little girl
anne up with her doll in her arms. She
'as very like Demi, only not so tall, and
ad rounder, roster face, and blue eyes.
This is my sister Daisy" announced
'eml, as if presenting rare and precious
The children nodded to one another; and
ne little girls face dimpled with pleasure,
8 she said, affably:-
II hope you'll stay. We have such good
mes here; don't we, Demi?"
"Oi course. we do; that's what aunt 10
as Plumfeld for"
1t seems very nice place. indeed" OBJ
rived Nat, feeling that he must respond to
,ese amiable young persons.
tits the incest place in the world: ism it.
emit" said Daisy, who evidently regarded
er brother as authority on all subjects.
mo; l think Greenland, where tbe ice
srgs and seals are, is more interesting. But !
m fond of Plumfeld, and it is a very nice l
ACE to be in," returned Demi, who was
terested just now in book on Greenland
e was about to offer to show Nat the pic !
res and explain them, when the servant !
turned, saying, with a nod toward the I
irlor door: 1
All right; you are to stop"
I'm glad; now come to aunt Jo." And
aisy took him by the hand with pretty I
otecting air, which made Nat feel at home 9
once.-l"Little Men," by Louisa M. Al .
m
The praya Of Ex-Goyarco- | N