The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1873-11-06
THE LOST LINCH-PIN.
BY A. NJ. DANA.

There was detected thrill in I'll
sad, child-voice, telling of physics
dread and utter hopelessness ofspiri
"Wait minute, Robbie, answere
d, cheerier tone. "Wait until I loo
under this hay-bed. A linch-pin's Ii
tie, you know, and it might roll.
can't bear to give up yet.
And as the girl spoke, she swun
the lantern under the huge. vehicle
=" and STOPPING, began to scratch care
fully among the loose chaf and wisp
of hay scattered over the floor
The scene was threshing floor Q
large barn, with great mows frown
ing darkly above on either hand, ant
vast granaries stretching away in th
rear, and the speakers were poo
little orphan boy, who had lost {
linch-pin, and the sympathizing kitch
en- girl of the farm.
As the latter rose from her fruit
less search, the bright glow of the
lantern fell upon her, revealing face
not pretty, certainly, if viewed from
a cultivated standpoint-but frest
and girlisb. and just now .glorifed by
the soft halo of womanly pity.
20, Robbie! I am SO very sorry,
she said, rising. "Can't you think
where you had it last?" tr
'No, Sue, I can't; I've tried and
tried. 1 reckon old Benson will
nearly kill me-he did the last time
Then, with a shudder, throwing his
childish arms around her waist: 30,
Sue, it's awful"
'Poor babyl" cried the girl, clasp
ing him closer, while in her soft gray
eyes were tears 81 wish thatI could
save you. How did you ever come
to be left with him. anyhow"
"Why, you see, was the reply,
'when mother died, there was only
me and Chris, and Chris amt like me.
Hes 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 a big
city. He had read of poor boys max
ing money there, and as the home
stead was gone, he was bound to try
it, and then old Benson offered me q
home while he was away. But Chris
never meant for me to be abused. I
heard him say that 1 was to go to
school and be well treated, and that
he would pay him for my board and
expenses when he came back. But 1
reckon that he will never come back,
now" And the poor child's tears fell
fast at the thought
80, may be he WILL" answered the
kind girl, soothingly. "We will hope
SO, anyway" 7'h7t-7
"Well, may be-" he assented drear-
lily. 80 Sue, if I were only of age.
like you are, would go and seek
him" Then, as with a sudden
thought: '"tSue, what makes you stay
here? You were of age six months
ago" r-g .a..-s ...-. Z .H-s -
II know" she said, and paused, as
if the question was an unsettled one
with herself; then with the light still
upon her brow, ''partly for your sake,
may be, Robbie, and partly because
I don't know where to go. I don't
mind working, and must do that in
any place. Besides, it is better for
me; I'm in the house with MISS,
and, Robbie, she isn't like him. Many
piece of bread and meat she gives
to the hungry beggars, and many a
poor tramp she allows to sleep in the
barn, when he amt around"
The last clause was unfortunate, for
the boy, clinging yet closer, cast a
shuddering glance upward towards
the great mows, where the shadows
were scarcely disturbed by their fee
BILE glow of light.
80, Sue," he cried, wildly; "what |
if he should make me stay all night !
in the barn? He has threatened to
do SO many time. Any way, he is
going to horsewhip me. o, Sue, Sue,
what can we do?"
The poor excited child sank in de-
spair.
"We might pray" said Sue, timid-
ly. a..e
"Pshaw! he prays." *
There was a whole volume of in
cipient skepticism in those three bit
ter words.
II know" answered Faith, sorely
puzzled, yet clinging to the anchor.
Il know, but they don't sound like
the prayers I used to hear at the
'sylum. They are spoke to some one
close at hand, SO loving, SO gentle,
and yet so mighty. o, Robbie, now
1 just remember the words, SO "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 fiery 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 it; it's as well to have
it over"
"Poor lambl" said the tender heart
ed girl, kissing the quivering lips
which were trying SO hard to be
brave. "ITl leave the light, and I'll
beg hard for you
And, repressing a sigh over the