The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1872-10-04
MY FIRST NEWSPAPER.

the Canada line. 1t was. llke all llltS.
cold and damp. ard unfit for human
habitation; but it was ,etter than no
shelter at all. and we We're used to it.
was Il barefooted boy during most Of
the year. Bare feet may do well
enough for pictures and word painting.
but they are quite another sort of
thing to the lutte slli; ring wretch
who drags them about dlfiug the cold
weather that makes three tourths OF
the New England year.
was helping father Zig potatoes,
one day. late in the fllswhen was
about nine years Old. A furry Of
snow had fallen. just enosgh remind
rs that winter was setting in. Father
always put things off ti;y Me last mill
ute. and then he woula ..riye all be-
fore him. and be as cryss asa bear
when her cubs are in danger. We had
heen to work since daylight, and my
feet were almost frozen. Uh! | can
feel them ache now. 'fGv were cut,
and sore, and would hav3 been bleed
ing. but they We're nuatb as icicles.
Late III the afternoon iltIier seht me
to the house. and mother Went utand
took my place in the field. Ny feet
We're over the worst Of their aching.
and Thad piled the greer wood III the
fire place, and laid down. IN the floor.
with nfy hauds under NY head, TO
watch the sap sizzle and sputter. and
fire off miniature cannoliE when there
came a rap on the door, End, without
waiting for an answer, in came a
stranger, well bundled in fur cap and
oveWOat.
Can | warm up here 2"
Guess so, - said I, hi&hing along
to give him half ofthe fireplace.
The man came up eagerly, like one
who had Travelled long, and was weary
and chilled, and spread out his hands
before the fire, rs if heat was luxury
to them.
"1yherc's your folks?" he asked,
glancing down at ME, for | hadn't the
civility to rise.
"0ut."
"Are they around?"
digging taters!''
Rather late FIR that, iu'tit'"
''Rather."
ado you think I could get a bite
here ?"
Guess So"
Gould | stay here tonight"
Guess So"
The man unbuttoned his coat and
seated himself, letting his boots steam
before the Goals.
After a little he rallied again, as if
to be quiet.
where's your mother, my boy?"
digging taters."
sand you taking your comfort be-
fore the fire - he asked, ina surprised
tone.
explained to him that | was
obliged to come in on account of my
feet. and then, for the first time, lie
seemed to notice that they were naked.
Have yon no shoes?"
mo sir"
The man raised his head and gave q
sharp look around the room, his eyes
wandering over the shelves, AZ if miss
ing something. Thinks | to myself
he's hungry.
Have you anything to read here?"
was the next question.
There's part of a Testament on
the high shelf"
Anything else?"
"rhere's some almanacs. some-
where. but pretty much gone"
Anything else? Books, for in
stance z"
"GueSS not"
"Or newspapers"
Now actually had never seen or
heard of newspaper in my life, SO
said, sheepishly, 'Guess not"
The man gave me a sharp glance
rom his keen, black eye. "Yonguess
rot? Don't you know? My lad, if
fon are to 80 guessing through the
world, you will have a bad time of
t."
II don't know what a newspaper
s" said |.
The man looked at Inc with al ex-
)lession of pity that | couldnot under
tnd. Then he rtlmmaged in his over
'oat pocket, and produced one, which
le handed me, with the remark, "The
lext best thing to a Bible is 4 good
newspaper"
was OIL my feet in an instant. |
pread the sheet on the bed, and never
hall | forget the delight with which
was examined. | could not read u
vortl-did not know my letters even;
tut there came, with looking at that
'aper, such a longing to read it, that
absolutely plunged both knuckles
nto my eyes, and uttered such a lub-
'erly howl as brought the stranger to
ny side.
Whats the matter?n asked he.
II can'tread IL" said I.
''DOn't you know your letters ~
mo sir"