Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1871-08-11
THE LOST LINCH-PIN.
BY 4. NJ. DANA.

"Its no use, we cants find it. I'll
just have to take the whipping"
There was detected thrill in the sad
child-voice, telling alike of physical
dread and of utter hoplessness of spirit.
"Wait a minute, Robbie" answered
q cheerier tone. Wait until | look
under the hay-bed. A Inch pins little
you know, and it might roll. can't
bear to give up yet" And as the girl
spoke, she swung her lantern under the
huge vehicle, and STOPPING, began to
search carefully among the loose chaff
and wisps of hay scattered over the
floor.
The scene was the threshinghoor of
q large barn, with great mows frowning
darkly on either hand, and vast gran
aries stretching away to the rear, and
the speakers were a poor little orphan
boy who had lost linch-pin, and the
sympathetic kitchen girl of the farm.
AS the latter rose from her fruitless
search the bright glow of the lantern
fell upon her, revealing a face-not
pretty, certainly, if viewed from a cult
waited artistic stand point, but fresh and
girlish, and just now glorified by soft
halo of womanly pity.
go Robbie! Pm so sorry" she said,
rising. "Can't you think where you
had it last ?''
"No, Sue, / can't. I've tried and
tried. reckon old Beeson will nearly
kill me-he did last time" Then, with
a shudder, throwing his childish arms
around her waist ooh, Sue, he's aw-
full -
"Poor baby p cried the girl, clasp
ing him closer, while her soft gray eyes
filled with tears: s. wish | could save
you. How did you ever come to be left
with him, anyhow ?" -a a...
"Why, you see,o was the reply,
"when mother died there was only me
and Chris, and Chris. amt like me.
He's strong, and smart, and afraid of
nobody. So he thought he would go
away and make fortune for us both.
His name is Christopher-like Christie
pher Columbus you know-and he
meant to do some great thing too. Not
in ship though, but in the big city.
He had read Of poor boys making money
there, and as the homestead was gone
he was bound to try it. And then old
Beeson offered to keep me while he was
away. But Chris. never meant for me
to be abused. | heard him say that |
was to go to school and be we'll treated,
and that he would pay for my board and
expenses when he came back. But [
reckon he'll never come nOw." And
the poor child's tears fell fast at the
thought.
90, maybe he willr' answered the
girl, soothingly. "We'll hope so, any
way" .. ..rrr.@ ..
Well, maybe" he assented drearily.
"But, O, Sue, if were only of age, like
you, wouldn't | go to seek him p Then,
as with sudden thought, "Sue, what
makes you stay. You were of age six
months ago." r.
~ know" she said, and paused as if
the question was an unsettled one with
herself. Then, with the light still upon
her brow, "Partly for your sake, maybe,
Robbie, and partly because don't know
where to 90. | don't mind working,
and | must do that in any place. Be
sides, it is better for me; Pm in the
house with mistress, and, Robbie, she
isn't like him. Many piece of bread
dllu lllco1 SliS FOo W UAASN iSAJ VS.
gars, and many poor tramp she allows
to sleep in the barn when he amt
round"
The last clause was unfortunate, for
the boy, clinging yet closer, cast shud.
dering glance upward toward the great
mows where the shadows were scarcely
disturbed by their feeble glow of
light.
40, Sue p he cried wildly. f" What
If he should make me stay all night in
the barn He has threatened to many
a time. Any way he is going to horse
whip me. O, Sue, Sue, what can we
dor
The poor excited child sank down in
despair.
1--WE might pray" said Sue, timidly.
"Pshaw! He prays."
There was whole volume of incip-
lent skepticism in those three bitter
words. ~e
~ know" answered Faith, sorely
puzzled, yet cl;nging to her anchor. " /
know, but it don't sound like the pray
ers [ used to hear at the 'sylum. There
they spoke to some one close at hand,
SO gentle, so loving, and yet so mighty.
., Robbie, now l just remember the
words, so strong to deliver Who
knows but He might save you. There
was the man in the den of lions, and
the three children in the ferry furnaoa -