Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-10-03

without any sting of conscience, either
about the reading, because when Grandma
PeytOn went TO Woodstock she had told
Ellie to mind Mehitable.
No more weary homesickness; no more
moping; no more vain asking, "What
shall do?" no more scrapes MehitablC
blessed her lucky thought that had SO
easily rid her of trouble and care. And
Ellie! VIII there ever come any more
hours like those to the little girl, seated
on the broad, low step before the porch ol
the great old fashioned house2
The summer air, fragrant with roses
and honeysuckle, that with the ivy and
woodbine contested the glory of covering
the gray stone WALL and musical with the
whir of the grasshoppers and the hum OF
bees; the sweet, warm stiffness of CAV
in June; ten years old, and the first ro
mancel Well for the little girl it was
good, pure Jane Porter's book, and not
some that came before and after.
Reluctantly she left her treasure for din.
ner and supper, more reluctantly still for
bedtime, only consoled by taking the
precious volume to bed, to wake at day
light and weep over the sorrows and mis-
1 fortunes of Thaddeus, the Noble, the Clio
rious, the Injured
How she adored Miss Beaufort and
Lady Tinemouthl how she hated Diana and
Miss Euphemial how her heart throbbed
at the thought of the good King Stanis-
laus! with what vengeance she recalled
the Prussians and the cruel Cossacks
The Battle Of Prague! A new glory at.
tached itself to the very name. She would
ask mamma to let her learn it when she
went home. She wouldn't grumble once
about the tedious practice hour.
1t was the second morning that Ellie had
passed in this unreal world. She was in a
state when nothing would have surprised
her--a message from the king, or sum
mons from Thaddeus himself in prison
A shadow deeper than the fickering
shade from the elm-tree fell athwart her
book. She raised her head, and looked
out of her great dreamy gray eyes at a
strange figure that stood, gaunt and
silent, in the garden path. 4 slouched
hat that would have disgraced scare
crow of average sensibility half concealed
a huge green patch over one eye, and did
not at all conceal very red nose long
black hair and beard, both ragged and un.
kempt; a coat of many colors, that might
have been Joseph's, and defied the ele.
ments ever since, hung with dangling
sleeves from one shoulder, disclosing an
exceedingly dirty shirt, closed at the
throat with a wisp of yellow handker-
| chief; a red velveteen vest, guiltess of
| buttons and pantaloons that might have
| formed part OF that famous Irish gentle
mans wardrobe,
Whose vintilation garments through
The wind most beautifully blew
A crooked stick over his shoulder, sus.
tanning small dirty bundle, bare feet
that looked as though their owner had
come through the ''medder muck" and a
regular Irishman's dhudeen in his mouth,
completed the picture.
The newcomer looked at Ellie, and
Ellie looked at him.
"Git me something to eat-me hungry"
Ellie silently handed him her bowl of
| bread-and-milk which she had brought
out for her lunch, and which stood for
gotten and untouched by her side The
man devoured the contents eagerly When
he had drained the last drop he said,
| fiercely,
"More. meat!"
There was an air of authority that Ellie
never thought OF questioning She laid
her precious book down ON the stone, and
went into the kitchen to find Mehitable.
She was not there. 1t was the custom of
| the house to give food to all who asked,
and Ellie took from the pantry a huge
slice of beef and some bread and cheese.
When she returned with her burden the
man was turning over the leaves of Thdd-
deus with an approving smile.
He accepted graciously the bread and
cheese and meat, devouring them and the
book simultaneously, stopping occasional
ly to crOss-question Ellie about the book
and her admiration for the hero. Her
enthusiasm knew no bounds when the
dirty fOreigner-who Immediately be-
came gloritied in her eyes-assured her
he, too, was from Warsaw, and knew the
King of Poland we'll ''Yes, he had
fought in the battle of Prague-shared
his tent with General ButzouGi
Her face kindled with enthusiasm, her
eyes grew moist with sympathy, as her
vivid Imagination painted the scenes he
must have witnessed. His invention be-
came more daring, his eloquence irresisti-
BILE, when he quoted, in the very words of
Thaddeus, though in somewhat broken
English,
so driven, Poland from thy rayaged plains,
So mourning DER thy sad but loved remains,
4 houseless wretch, / wander through the world,
From friends, from grandeur, and from glory
How could she question even his sublime
audacity when he added: you veeps
1t is for me. Behold me! I am dat
Thaddeus!"
o blind, unquestioning faith of child
hood, that could discern the beloved hero
in this strange, repulsive guise!
Her only thought was of sorrow that
she should not have recognized him
sooner; that she had not bid him enter;
that she had not served him on bended
knees with silver salver. Would he
forgive her, and know how she adored
him?
my lord Thaddeus Constantine, Count
Sobieski, how can | serve youY" Ger
tainly that was the proper way to address
him.
'Some monish, quick 1 must 60"
Ellie had gold pocket-piece and two
dollars in her purse that mamma had
given her for spending-money. 1t was
her own. Oh, how lovely to be able to
give it to Thaddeus! Thaddeus suffering
and in distress She no longer envied
Miss Beaufort, who probably had been
unable to succor him in prison, since he
Thaddeus himself-was here and in need,
and she could relieve him.
She flew to her room, to her trunk, and
with throbbing heart brought her all and
laid it in Thaddeus' hand. 1t was a very
dirty hand; and she didn't like the kiss
with which he thanked her, for it smelled
Of rum and onions; but she was happy
sorry only that Thaddeus was in such
hurry, and could not stop to tell her any
more about Poland and Marsovia and the
Palatine.
The book lay neglected on her lap, as
she sat with folded hands dreamily wish
ing that Thaddeus hadn't sold his glitter
ing uniform and his sword and his sable
palisse, though it would have been un.
comfortable in summer. At last she fell |
asleep, and there Mehitable found her,
when, after repeated calls, she failed to |
come to dinner. AT the abrupt but not
unkind touch on her shoulder the child |
started up, exclaiming, eagerly, II have |
seen him. oh, l have seen himl'
"Seen who, childg"
"Thaddeusl Thaddeus himself! And |
he was poor and hungry and 1 gave him
my lunch and my gold piecew
"Is theschild crazy? Where's the big |
silver spoon that was in the bowl? Thad. |
nnh nn1l A