Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-09-14

/ ed through hesters mlnd. AND Whers
is your sister, she asked aloud.
1 left her in the barn over there, saiG
the boy, pointing across the field.
Ia she older than you?' asked Hester
No, she is two years YOUNGER wal
the reply.
You might be in better business thar
trdpessing about the country staalioe
cake said Hester Pratt, in an uncompro
mising tone. why dou't you stay a
home with your parents /?
They are both dead said the boy, sad
ly.
Dead 2 exclaimed Hester, half sy mpa
theticslly. She remembered her owl
grief when her father and mother had
died, aud left her alone in the world.
Yes, madam. They died six mouth
ago.
'Where?'
In this city.
And why didn't you go to some o
your unoles or auntsY
we had none
What! Had you no relations of any
kind p
None very near
And so you've been cruising round the
country ever since, have you ?
! Yes, madam
Getting your living by stealing, sup
poseP
No madam said the boy, blushing.
How then ?
Sometimes people would be kind
enough to give US little something, and
we didn't need much. But this morning
I have been to two or three places, and
they told me they didn't believe my story
aud 50, as came through your yard, /
happened to see the cats in your shed
and | thought of how hungry Bessie was,
and I didn't dare to ask, for fear you
might refuse, and So
80 you stole it p
Yes said the boy, in confusion.
What was Hester to do
She more than half believed the boys
story, and yet her distrust of human ma
ture would intrude.
She must have ocular proof of his truth
and then-well, then she would decide
what to do.
4 will get my things and go over to the
barn with you and see if your story is
correct
will your exclaimed the Toy, Joy
fully.
He dosen't seem to be afraid FOR the rs
suit" thought Hester.
In two minutes she was ready to 20.
They took their way across the field
There was no path, but the upper surface
of the snow was frozen stiff, so that there
was no danger of falling through. Hester
kept firm hold of the boys arm, with
lurking suspicion that he might yet elude
her in some way.
So they reached the barn.
1t was in the middle of large field,
and, contrary to usual custom in the coun-
try, at quite distance from any house.
The boy went up to the door aud call
ed, Bessie
where are you, brother 2 said sweet,
childish voice.
He went into the barn, and led out a
beautiful little girl of nine, with sweet
expression, but eyes, alaa forever closed
to the bright sunshine and the fair world.
Have you brought any bread? asked
the little girl. i am so hungry
No. Bessie said the boy, but he quick
ly added, Il have brought a lady who was
kind enough to come with me to see
you
Where is she ? said Bessie, stretching
out her hand.
And Hester Pratt, more moved than she
had been for many years, put forth her
own hand to meet the hand Of little Bes-
sic, and she said, more kindly than was
her wont, Il am sorry you are hungry.
child II you come to my house, you and
your brother shall have something to eat.
Let US go at once, Herbert, said Bessie.
we are much obliged to you said the
boy, gratefully for kindness which
Hester Pratt's previous manner had not
led him to anticipate They were soon
II the house, and Hester brought forth a
plentiful supply of bread and butter, to-
gether with an apple pie. 1t need hardly
be said that the children did ample iu-tice
to what was set before them
Didn't your sister cal! you Herbert 2
asked Hester. abruptly, when they had
nearly satisfied their appetite, What is
your last name?'
Gordon My name is Herbert Gordon.
And yonr fathers name 2 asked Hester
hoarseIy.
I was named after him
Hester rose, and paced tho floor ex-
citpdly.
These, then, were the children of her
faithless lover,-of him who had embit
tered her life. And yet she could not
dislike them. Strangely enough she felt
yearning for them, as if she would like
70 have them 1.-Two with her always. There
was a fierce strnqele in her heart, hut the
fresh, generous impulse that had 20 long
been stifad, burst forth, and when the
children rose, and thanking her FIR their
9-,r,gh ,4a,.aA IN sbo 4 -lU L. Il
Would you like to live with M al
W ys?'
A flush Of Joy overspread the fees of
the two orphans, and they accepted her
fer with grateful thanks.
And that was the happiest New Years
D that Hester Pratt had ever p seed
Weekly.