The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1873-06-13


took them more than a quarter of an
hour before they reached the farm
house, for such it proved to be- With
hesitating steps they entered the yard,
for they had never begged before in
spite of their former misery. But at
this moment they could think of moth
ing else but their terrible hunger
When a few steps from the house they
heard the farmer violently scolding one
of his men. Then he went into the
house, fiercely closed the door after him
so as to make the windows rattle, con-
tinuing his abuse all the time The
children terrified, stood still at the
door until the voice ceased. Then Liz
zie opened the door and both children
entered. The farmer sat in an arm
chair by the fire.
We'll, what do You want ?n lie
harshly asked the children, who were
too frightened to utter word and to
j tell their errand. Cant you speak p
! he asked more roughly.
Lizzie at last took courage, and said
gently:
"Oh, if you would be so good as to
give US the least little bite to eat-a
small piece of bread or few potatoes"
! 81 thought so,' shouted the farmer;
II was sure you were nothing but beg
gars, although you do not seem to be
long to this neighborhood We have
plenty of those here, and do not want
them to come from other parts. We
have no bread for ourselves in these
hard times You will get nothing here
Be off, this moment ~
The children, both dreadfully fright /
ened, began to CRY bitterly.
That will not do you any good" !
continued the man; that kind of
whining is nothing new to me, and
won't move me. Let your parents feed .
you; but they no doubt prefer idling .
rather than getting their living by hon |
est labor"
"Our parents are both dead" said
Lizzie
Il thought So" replied the farmer.
Whenever children are sent ont to
beg, their father and mother are always
dead or at least their father. This is
mere excuse for begging. Be of this
minute !"
we have not eaten a morseI the
whole day pleaded Lizzie I'VE are
so tired that we cannot move step.
If you would but give US the least little
bit to eat, we are SO hungry
81 have told you | would not. Beg
gars get nothing here"
The farmer got up with q threatening
look. Lizzie quickly opened the door
and drew her sister with her. The
children again stood in the farm-yard,
but knew not what to do. Suddenly
little Mary drew her hand from her sis
ter's clasp, and went to the other side Of
the yard; there was fierce dog chain
ed ; his dinner stood before him in a
wooden basin. Mary put her hand into
the basin and began to eat with the
dog. Lizzie went nearer and saw that
in the basin there was some liquor in
which a few pieces of bread and some
boiled potatoes were floating Shelike-
wise, could not resist she had but one
feeling-that of the most gnawing hun
ger; she took some of the bread and
potatoes, and ate them greedily
The dog, not accustomed to such
guests, looked at the children full Of as
he drew back, then sat
down and left them his dinner, of which
he had eaten very little. At this mo-
ment the farmer stepped into the yard;
he wished to see whether the children
had really left, and then he saw this
scene. The dog was noted for
his fiercenesS, and feared alike by old
and young, he was obliged to be con-
stantly chained No one dared to come
near him except his master Even the
|, If II
most cautious manner. In the first mo-
ment the man thought of nothing but
the fearful danger in which the children {
were, and walking quickly toward them
he exclaimed:
Don't you see the dog? He will
tear you to pieces ~ ;
But suddenly he stopped as if rooted
to the ground; the dog had got up
again and gone near the children, then
he looked at his master and wagged his
tail. 1t seemed as if he wished to say: l
Don't drive my guests away" s
At that sight a great change came
over the man the spectacle before him
acted like an electric shock, and feel 8
ngs such as he never had before seemed
TO stir within him. :
The children had risen, terrified at Z
,he call of the man, fearful of punish s
nent for having eaten, with downcast
eyes. At last, after several minutes l
.ilence, the farmer asked: t
''Are you really SO fearfully hungry
hat you do not even despise the dogs
'ood Come in, then, you shall have
to eat, and as much as you y
ike" And taking them by the hand, !
ne led them into the house, calling out |
% the servant
"Biddy, get some hot bread land milk, $
md be quick, for these children" :
The dog had shamed his master-the t