Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-05-01
Jimmy Drake. the Little Apple
PeddIer.
BY ELEANoE BURR.

n
his weary little body beside it, he com
menced tedious hour of waiting. Ii
was fer the morning train bound west
ward. and Jimmy looked at the sun and
along the track until it scattered itself IN
the bare tangled woods. Pretty soon
an older boy than Jimmy came in sight.
This boy came whistling up the side
walk with great straw hat pulled over
his forehead, and fuzzy circle of brown
hair peeping out all over the crown.
There were a great many patches on bis
clothes and patches upon patches. His
face was brown as a little Indians, and
the ten little fingers thrust so hard into
his trowser's pockets were browner than
the face. There was nothing very bright
or nice about him except two large dark
ewes that shone out from underline broad
brim of the hat. Very soon he reached
the track, and as he came along spied
Jimmy sitting so still by his basket.
.Jimmy's face was so white and the lit
tie hands that covered it were so thin
that the new conner stopped and stared
amazed.
EtWhat's your name, bub? What you
dom here, and who be you? I'm wild
Ned, | be-" Jimmy dropped his hands,
and lifted frightened face to the speak
er, who then seated himself by the little
peddler's side.
'Tm only Jimmy Drake, and l sell
these for livin'," stretching out a very
ragged sleeve over his basket as he
spoke.
"Poor Twin, amt it," queried the
other, eying Jimmy from his head to
hts toes. Eyes, | tell you It's, said
Jimmy. eide give it up long ago, but
pennies will help fellow some. l can
buy Jackey quart of milk for his sup
per tonight, and loaf of bread for the
rest of en- if | sell clean out"
'Be you the man of the brood
Where's your father?"
"Oh! no." and Jimmy's eyes filled
with tears. "He died before Jackey
could walk. Folks laid him up there on
the hill, and | wish / could be put there
too" These words were spoken so sad
ly that the boy under the big hat stared
again, with eyes larger and darker than
ever.
''You amt one bit sham, be YOU?
You talk as if you just meant what you
say"
80 do.' and Jimmy's face turned
toward Ned. But Ned shook his head
soberly, saying, 1--WE wished Jest that
a hundred ways, a hundred times,
but | got dreadful mad about it,
II used to get mad feelings, too, :"
Jimmy. ''but | don't never
now, and I'll tell you why. You see
that white meetin' house on the hill over
there" and he pointed out q church half
hidden in a grove of NAPLES, ''well.
when father died the preacher came two
or three times to see mother, and by and
by she began to go there on SUNDAYS.
She and my biggest sister, and they took
the baby along cause | wouldn't stay
home to mind him, and the three on 'em
crept in onter the hind seats. for they
feared somebody'd laugh at their mean
clothes. Id take my line for the creek
but when they'd got in and the fol- ho,,
gan to sing, I'd turn back ar ,ista,1 ~ ~
der the windows p if Jackey cried
and heard 81, coming out with him.
~ " ~ 'N off again. One time l got
V""' at. A lady came round the corner
and looked so angel-like all in white.
that forgot to run, and She talked to
me ever so much, and when the bel
rang and the big grown-up folks came
out o. the meetin' she loaded me in an6
sit me down on bench with more boys
and then-but can't tell you no more
Just you come, too, next Sunday. an,
she'll teach both on us. Say yes, strs n
ger, do say yes" urged Jimmy. as the
whistle of the approaching train was
heard.
''Can's tell for snre; mebbe."
EsRnt Won sy17gSf como J'1
you'll tell me where, and well slip in s.
sly that no one Will look at you. ANY
way, you amt no raggeder than be.
and the little fellow stood up to displa,
a poor Jacket and tattered trowsers tc
the thoughtful eyes of Ned.
What makes your face so white 2
asked the latter abruptly.
"'Cause amt had much TO eat since
yesterday"
Hickey. you don't come nigh starr
ing do you? Don't your mann work
any? 2"
''When she can get it. Works
skerce. And here Jimmy tugged al
his basket, for the train came thunder.
ing around the curve, and i'm a few
minutes more would be off again; for
1T only stopped for wood and wafer.
Ned watched the thin, weak hands lift.
ing the heavy basket, and soon gently
pushed him aside, saying, as he swung
the basket upon his shoulders. sJusi
you sit there until 1 come back" and
away he dashed through the crowd that
now moved upon the platform, and en-
terlng the first car, singing out. ZAP
pies, apples, sir!' as though he were
well used to the profession. He soon
sold all but four. Four of the smallest
most lll-natured looking apples in the
lot. The gentleman to whom he appli-
ed for the next purchase was fine look
ing man, and turned upon Ned a pair of
eyes as bright as his own. Something
about the boy seemed to please him. for
he gave him a very pleasant smile. but
looked doubtfully at the fruit. Ned saw
it all, but he saw Jimmy's white face too
and could not carry these four appIes
back to bim. ''Ain't .used 10 askino
odds OF felix's be thought to himself.
nut gness must this time, so with
rising color, but steady eyes, he be-
gan:
Cant say them's honest, fair applr.s
sir, but they'll help little Teller To sat
some supper what don't get much 20 snn
On most days"
Indeed" said the gentlem an. with
an amused air. ''You don't. lool, lie
such little fellow"
How Ned's eyes did fash as he re.
ported
you'll see him under that wood-pile
I you look out of the window" and was
ABOUT 10 move off for another customer.
Wnen the gentleman handed him ten
cents, and asked him at what Mace thew
were stopping. Ned answered ouife
sracloously, but added that they wouldn't
stop long; and was therefore much sur
orlsed when the gentleman rose out of
lis seat and requested him to show him
o hotel. The two left the car, and
Ned said, SIN one minute SIR" and
pounded off to Jimmy, who sat SILVER
ng where his friend had left him. al
hough looking little lost.
oIIQra P1h, did ao