The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1873-11-27
A BUNCH OF VIOLETS.


were thrown around a branch, thi
bent with his weight. His trim su
of black velvet was the worse fC
brambles, and his scarlet cap ha
badges of mossy green hue upo
it. Nevertheless, the round rosy fac
under the cap had certain undaun
ed bravery, that seemed to contra
dict the sharp tone of dismay in whic
the boy made his appeal.
The wanderer in the wood belo,
. looked up smilingly, and said
Keep firm grip moment longer
my man. Now then, hold me fast
that's right And now tell me wha
wee laddie like you can be doin;
all alone in the wood?"
The boy did not answer; he wa
busy examining lis torn knickerbock
ers and the patches on his cap HI
shook his head at the rents, anC
began rubbing his cap with his sleeve
= ''Tn in for row." he said, specu
latively; "but I should have got &
ducking as well if you hadn't passed
BY. I must have dropped soon
splash;-see here!"
The stranger took the little, deli
cate, childish hand in his, and saw
that the fingers were grazed and
bleeding. 'Poor little mani" said
he.
20, that's nothing, you know.
But Tn forgetting. Thank you for
pulling me down. Let me see, now,
said the small man, gravely-'1 don't
know your face. You don't belong to
Corven?"
mo, was the reply.
"a strangers" said the boy. "From
a long way of, eh7"
''Pretty well, was the reply.
"Ah, then you know nothing about
it" said the boy. "That's the vii
lage over the water there, and this
is Corven Wood-iolly, isn't 1T"
every jollyl" said the gentleman.
"Do your friends know you are here
by YOURSELF"
80, they know I'm somewhere
about, replied the boy; 'but of course
l shall tell them all about it. That
is our house-you can see bit of
the chimneys through the trees. It
used to be farm house. But my
father doesn't flrm-he's gentle
man. Do you have to do anything?
Ito work, I mean-or are you a
gentleman"
The stranger laughed-a low,
quiet laugh, like musical note. It
seemed to strike even the boy, for he
stopped rubbing his cap to look Gu
riously into his companions face.
He did not know exactly what there
was in the eyes, half grave, half hu-
morous, that met his own. He
knew nothing of that strange nathos
which has its element of regret, but
a larger one, perhaps, of pity, that
steals into the heart of tho man who
has known sorrow, and wrong, and
bufsting, at the sight of such child
as this. The boys life lay before him
an unwritten page, and he stood at
the beginning with fearless front,
thoughtless of care and contemptu-
GUS of danger. Involuntarily, how
ever, as he looked into the strangers
face, he drew nearer, and touched the
knapsack that was slung over one
shoulder
81 didn't mean.that you migbtn't be
a gentleman, of course" said he; "but
then you carry that yourself Papa
doesn't carry his. My name is An
tony, but they call me Tony; what is
yours? because I shall have to tell
about you.
"My name is Noel Caperne, re-
piled tbe gentleman, "and I do work
for living. am a painter"
Master Tony looked again dubi-
ously at the knapsack, and began to
think of certain beings with paper
caps and an incurable habit of whist
ling popular airs, who had been oc-
cupied about the woodwork of his
fathers house. He decided that his
new friend could not belong to that
class.
"O!" said he, "a painter! Well, I
tell you what, it would be very jolly
if you would come home with me.
Papa won't scold me before a stran-
ger. That's what people would call
downy of me, isn't it. I am rather a
downy chap, and that's the truth.
Aunt Lucy would like to thank you.
She's fond of me, though she is
bit sharp, sometimes. You won't?
I must go, then. Good by, Mr.. Ca
perne." -
The lad went a few steps and
turned irresolutely; then he ran back
and put out his SCARED little fingers
to the stranger who worked for his
living.
81 forgot to shake hands," said he.
81 say, I've got box of colors, my
self, and I should like to see what
sort ofa hand you are, at painting.
I almost always bring Aunt Lucy to
the wood some time in the day; she
likes it. If 1 come tomorrow will
you bring me picture to look at
a swell one?"
Mr. Caperne put his hand on the
cbild's scarlet cap with smile.
81 shall be miles away tomorrow,
laddie. Good by; and don't climb
There might not Hiwsys be chance