Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1872-03-07
How Arthur Ran Away.
BY wINOGENE.

y
face, too, when it did not happen to
have a shade of discomfort on it, as 1T
did just now.
Arthur was giving his opinion quite
freely to the great yellow cat, who sat
perched on the gate post, eying him
with no very loving chances. You
don't remember, but doubtless kitty
did, the innumerable times when Ar
thur had tied the string of "bell-pep-
pers round her neck, and left her to
sneeze her unoflending head off at her
leisure; nor the time he tied her to the
vestry-door by the tail, and she favored
the company assembled at Il Methodist
watch meeting, with dismal howls in
varied keys.
Well, as Arthur told his troubles to
his feline friend, she listened with grave
attention, though a close observer
might have detected an expression of
latent malice in the small green disc of
her eye.
Il don't see why great big fellows,
five years old, that dress their own
selves, ought to be sent down town for
Y dozen pearl buttons, every time Miss
Scissors comes Mother never gives
me "a chocolate-drop when | get back,
eiver, and Miss Ellis always does,
and"
Here his eye fell on tall, angular
figure, stalking down the lane, envel-
oped in an unusually gaudy Bay State
shawl, and carrying a few necessary
articles, such as parasol, a bundle of
patterns, retlcule. an extra shawl,
etc.
"Mother Marden, you don't mean
Miss Cilicia is coming here again2"
I" Yes, she is was the reply from
within, "and | want YOU" What
she wanted Arthur did not stop to see,
but DARED up the lane, as If grizzly
bears were in hot pursuit.
He finally stopped before q large old
fashioned house, with lavender, heath,
and sweet williams growing within the
lady just stepped out the door. 1t was
his Sunday school teacher.
"Why, Artie, and Miss Ellis
stopped for kiss, -" what brings my
little boy up here at eight o'clock in
the moming?"
go, / don't know! nothing particu-
lar, guess" said Arthur, Indifferent
ly. 81 should MT wonder, eiver, if I
had run away"
"Run away !" and the blue eyes grew
sober. "Why, Artiel But | suppose
you mean you are going right back ~
80 no." said Artie, disdainfully,
"that wouldn't he running away at all
sha'n't go home till tomorrow, any.
how, and perhaps [ shan't for sixteen
years !"
Miss Ellis smiled, but only said, eff
you will come with me, Artie, I'll show
you sad little sight, that is very diff
ferent from your nice, pleasant home.
The little boy we are going to see has
never walked in his life; his mother Is
dead, and he lies all alone in his room,
while his father is at work. | have
been to see him very often, and have
read to him, and taken flowers to him
but | am afraid / shall never do that
any more"
They went into a dark, dirty street,
known as "Rag Alley" and stopped
before house equally dark and dirty,
but into which a ray of light had fallen,
four years before.
In a small room on low bed lay a
little creature, strangely bent and
twisted, but with face so sweet and
touching in its beauty, that Arthur held
his breath. The great, wonderful blue
eyes had light more of heaven than
earth the white forehead, where the
blue veins showed plainly, was shaded
by long curls Of pale gold-color The
face, with its look of patient suffering,
frightened as Miss Ellis entered, and .
little thin hand was held out to her.
I'm so glad you have come !" he
said, with little sigh. What little
boy is thatY
ITS little Arthur, Teddy said Miss
Ellis; "he has come to see you, be-
cause he is so sorry you are sick"
:" am glad you are well, little boy"
said Teddy, gravely. Is father
there ~
A bundle Of rags, with a gray head
above, rose from its kneeling position
at the foot Of the bed, and came round
to touch the little face with a tender,
loving touch
How long has he been 50, Dennis n
asked Miss Ellis.
"Since yesterday, mum, was the
reply. 1.-The doctor says he can last
only little while now, the little saint
he is, fathers poor patient saint :"
There were tears in his eyes, but he
knelt down by the bedside, drawing
his rough coat-sleeye across his face.
IL / 4