The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-07-16
LOT:
BY WILL. +. CAitERoN.

n BY WILL. +. CAttERoN.
1t was large, squdfe house, show
ing evident signs of decay in tie tum-
BILE down door steps, and in the number
of missing clap-boards. If the build
ing was ever painted, it had been so
long ago that every trace of it had dis
appeared, and the boards had the gray
moldy appearance of rotting wood
The small windows were hung with ia.
ded yellow curtains, through which the
western sun shone, throwing a sickly
light on the interior There was no
sign over the door, bit an old sheet.
iron plate was swinging Oh post which
stood in the gutter, and it showed plain
ly the effects of having been pelted with
stones, probably by some mischievous
boys who were driven out of the build
Ing to make room for their elders. On
this sheet-iron sign could be seen the
word "Tavern," in letters of faded blue.
Gpgshop would have been more ap-
pfopriate. Yes, 1t was a grogshop, a
long room, in which some broken arm
chairs were placed along one side, and
a long counter was built along the other,
behind which were a few shelves, and
on these shelves were a few bottles,
with the inviting labels of "gin," "bran-
dy," sold rye" and some other com.
pounds called ."wine." This room had
a very cheerless aspect,and I don't won
der that men were tempted to drink
something which temporarily cheefed
them, when seated in such place
The tarkeeper, also proprietor, was
nodding in chair behind the counter,
while large, coarse-featured woman
was vainly attempting to clean the floor
with cold water, just from the pump,
She didn't walk, neither did she waddle
she just shuffied along. fearing to raise
her feet lest she should lose the nam
moth slipper. She despised strong
drink, and drank nothing but beer.
The sight of mon had brought tc
her mind the picture of New England
home, with kitchen floor, white as
sand and water could make it,
Her mind corresponded with her body
lit was sluggish, and probably this is
the reason why she remembered moth
ing hut the clean floor
EYES," she meditated, "my mother
was neat and clean, and rm walkin' in
her footsteps 'zactly; nothin' like the
mop to clean floor; while I'm at il,
guess I'll clean Lots room, the boy il
so dirty, alters trackin' in mud from th'
lake. Seems to me he might se made {
little more usefuller; he don't carr
his bread and clothin'" She pumped
another bucket of cold water, snd
drinking mug Of beer to fortify her
self against cold she shuhied, up II
Lots room. 9tg3 81 l2,la aaos a5w SER,
| On the back doorstep, all unconsciou
of the remarks made concerning him
sat Lot; he was digging his bare toe
into the yellow sand, and passing hi
hands through hairq which would hav'
been called "auburn," had it belonge,
to girl; but on Lots head il was red
and sometimes poor Lot was addresses
as "brick-top" and "torchlight," b.
youthful roughs. His complexion wa
naturally delicate, but the sun had s.
affected it that it was nearly the color Q
his hair. His clothing was rags, an
the sunken cheeks, and crooked form
told the fact that disease had long bee
preying upon his system Fl -a,.
"'Pears to me-" said Lot, for he ha
habit of talking to himself, for wan
of something better to talk to-, ] sur
pose, "'pears to me I don't feel jus
right the last few days. MY head aches
and my cheeks are awful hot, and
want to lay down all the time, aud a
can't sleep when 1 do lay down, m
head whirls so7 I've good notion t
60 and see old Bracy;. but it amt n
use, he alters wants money before HAND
and they" pointing with his thumb owe
; his shoulder into the bar-room, .won'
give me any! I've axed 'em to, often.
Lot was only eleven, but he reasone
more than most boys of fourteen. Yo
would call him very ugly until you sa'
his ewes, which were clear gray, an
had thoughtful expression. which bt
spoke a mind in advance of his year:
| Who the BOY was, no one in the villag
appeared to know, and | fear, no on
cared. t'S
"A founding ?" whispered Mrs. DE-
lany inquiringly to her ncighbor on
day, after peremptorily ordering Lo
not to associate with her children.
"Not 'zactly, reckon;,a q woman die
there ten year ago, that was fore yon'n
come here, and no one knew where sh
came from, and che was buried in tn
mornin' fore any one was up 'cer
Granny Morton, and she jest happene
to he lookin' out the door to see whetl
er it was a goin' to be good day t
dry apples or not; and she see tl1er
kerry the coffin past; and that dear oil
woman tried her blessedest to find on
who she was, but she couldn't. But
don't want him with my children-th
little carroty hea1w ws-r all.
AS if poor Lot were to blame! -v
Little was said about him, and he ha
but few associates. Flooding lalons
! going Of errands, working the plot cal
ed garden, cleaning glasses and be
Ties, Lot knew there must be somethin
higher and more noble in life, but ho'
TO reach and enjoy it bis untutore
mind could not tell Aud, this sum
day, Ire had been wondering if th
squire's well dressed little boy, who a
S ways seemed SO happy, would not tie
e him how to be happy. But the pain
J., his head returned with greater fore
i. and he heard ringing in his ears whic
> sounded like far off music. 49,
: "Ill go to bed," murmured he, tan
!. maybe I'll be well by morning." and IL
!. little crooked. figure YEARLY ascende
:, the creaky stairs to the place desig nate
! as 'Lot's room.". .f,,,,,. -.
"Ob, it's so damp and cold here"
sighed, as he lay upon the mattress
/ the corner.
J. Mrs Styles cold water scrubbins
had, indeed, made the place unfit for
o sleeping-room. Lot knew it would |