Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-05-29
The Lost Linch.Pin.

I" It's no use, Susy, we can't find it. I'll
have to take the whipping"
There was detected thrill in the sad child
voice, telling of physical dread, and Of utter
hopelessness of spirit.
"Wait a minute, Robbie" answered a
cheerier tone. "Wait until look under the
hay-bed. A Inch pins little, you know, and
it might roll, | can't bear togive il up yet"
And as the girl spoke she swung the Ian
tern under the huge vehicle, and STOPPING be-
gan to scratch carefully among the loose chaff
aud wisps of hay scattered over the floor.
The scene was the threshing floor of a
large barn, with great mows frowning darkly
above on either hand, and vast granaries
stretching away in the rear, and the speakers
we're poor little orphan boy, who had lost
inch-pin, and the sympathetic little kitchen
girl Of the farm.
As the latter rose from her fruitess search
the bright glow of the lantern fell full upon
her, revealing a face--not pretty, certainly,
If viewed from cultivated standpoint-but
fresh aud girish aud Just now glorifed by
the soft halo of womanly pity.
80 Robbie I'm 80 very sorry" she said,
rising. Can't you think where you had it
last 2"
Z" No, Sue, can't; I've tried and tried.
reckon old Beeson will nearly kill me--be
did the last time" Then, with a shudder,
throwing his childish arms around her waist
" O Sue, he's awful !"
" Poor baby !" cried the girl clasping him
closer, while in her soft gray eyes were tears.
" wish that | could save you. How did
you ever come to be left with him, anyhow p
Why, you see," 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 Chris
topher 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 aud as the
homestead was gone, he was bound to try it,,
and then old Beeson offered me home while
he was away. But Chris never meant for
me to be abused. heard him say that
was to 60 to school and be well treated, and
that he would pay him for my board and ex-
penses when he came back But | reckon
that be will never come back now" And the
poor childs tears fell fast at the thought.
90, may be he will, answered the kind
girl soothngly. ave will hope so, anyway"
"Well may be-" he assented, drearily.
40 Sue, if were only Of age, like you are,
would 90 and seek him. Then, as with a
sudden thought :" Sue, what makes you stay
here 2 You were OF age six months ago"
81 know" she said, and paused as if the
question was an unsettled ono with herself
then, with the light still upon her brow,
"partly for your sake may be, Robbie, and
partly because don't know where to 90. l
don't mind working, and | must do that in
any place Besides, it is better For me ; I'm
in the house with aNlisss, aud, Robbie, she
isn't like him. Many piece of bread and
meat she gives to the hungry beggars, and
many poor tramp she allows to sleep in the
barn, when he amt round"
The laft clause was fortunate, for the boy
clinging yet closer, cast shudderng glance
upwards toward the great mows, where the
shadows were scarcely disturbed by their fee-
bic glow of light.
Oh Sue" he cried wildly what ii he
should make me stay all night in the barn
lie has threatened to do so many time. Oh,
Sue. Sue, what can we do n
The poor excited child sank down in despair.
" Pshaw he prays."
There was whole volume of ncpient
skepiicsm in those three bitter words.
II know" answered Faith, sorely puzzled,
yet, clnging to the anchor know, but
they don't sound like the prayers used to
hear at the 'ryum. There they spoke to some
one close at hand, so loving so gentle, and
yet so mighty. o Robbie, now | just remem-
Der the words, 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 fery furnace"
=" It's no use, Sue he interrupted, sadly.
There's no deliverer but Chris, and he'll
never come now. Go to the house, and tell
the old man that can't find 1t it's as we'll
to have Il over
Poor lamb !" said the tender-hearted girl,
kissing the quivering lips which we're trying
SO hard to be brave " III leave the light,
1 and I'll beg hard for you'