Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-08-26

long they could see the least spcck of the
cart, and then they both began to cry.
Lizzie ceased her crying first; she took
hold OF her little sisters hand. who had
seated herself on the grass. and said,
"Get up. Mary! we must not stay here,
il we wish to get 10 Kilburn. We can.
not stop here on the load.
Il am SO hungry" sobbed Mary. 1--WE
have had nothing 10 eat all day" And
again they both began to cry tor Lizzie
was equally hungry.
The children were very weak. and
could only drag themselves slowly along.
Hand in hand they tottered on. At last
Lizzie lancied she saw house, and point.
ed towards the spot But it took them
more than a quarter OF an hour before
they reached the farmhouse, Tor such II
proved TO be. With hestating 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 nothing else but their terrible
hunger. When few steps from the
house they heard the farmer violently
scolding one of his men, Then he went
into tIc house. liercely closed the door
after him, SO as to make the windows rat
tie, continuing lis 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.
"Wcll, what do you want ?" he harsh
ly asked the children, vino were too
heightened to utter a word and TO tell
their errand. Cant YOU speak ?" he
asked more roughly.
Lizzie at last took courage, aud said
gently: "Oh. il You would he 81 good
as to give US the least bit 10 cat-a small
piece OF bread or few potatoes
II thought 50" shouted the larmer; IL
was sure you were nothing but beggars;
although you do not seem to belong 10
this neighborhood We have plenty Of
those here, and do not want lhom To
come from other parts. We have not
bread Tor ourselves in these hard times.
You will get nothing here. BE of. this
mOmcntw
The children, both drcadruIly frighien-
ed, began to cry bitterly.
That will not do YOU any good" con.
tinued the man; "that kind of whining
Is nothing new 10 me, and wont move
me. Let your parents feed you; but
they no doubt prefer idling rather than
getting living by honest labor"
"Onr parents are both dead said
Lizzie.
Il thought SO" replied the farmer.
whenever children are sent out TO bcg,
their father and mother are always dead,
or at least their father. This is mere
excuse for begging. BE off this minute"
I'VE have not eaten a morSel the whole
day" pleaded Lizzie. I'VE are so tired
that We cannot move step. Ii You
would but give US the least little bit TO
eat, we are so hungry"
Il have told you | would not. Reg.
gars get nothing here.
The farmer got up with threatening
look. Lizzie quickly opened the door
and dIew her sister with her The child.
rem again stood in the farmyard. but
knew not what to do. Suddenly little
Mary drew her hand from her sisters
clasp. and went to the Other side of the
yard; there was fierce dog chained;
his dinner stood before him in 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 boiled potatoes were
floating. She. likewise. could not resist;
she had but one feelng-that OF the most
gnawing hunger; she took some OF the
bread aud potatoes, and ate them greedi.
ly.
The dog not accustomed TO such guests,
looked at the children full of astonish.
ment; he drew back. then sat down ard
LETT them his dinner. OF which he had
eaten but very little At this moment
the farmer stepped into the yard; he
wished To see whether the children had
really left. and then he saw this singular
scene The dog was noted for bis fierce
ness, and feared alike by old and young;
he was obliged TO be constantly chained.
No one dared to come near him except
his master. Even the servant put his
food before him in the most cautious
manner. In the first moment 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? lie will
tear you 10 pieces !"
But suddenly he stopped. as il rooted
TO the ground; the dog had got up again
and gone quite near the children, then he
looked at his master and wagged his
tail. 1t seemed as if he wished to say;
Don't drive my guests away!'
At that sight great change came over
the man; the spectacle before him acted
like an electric shock, and feelings such
as he never had before seemed to stir
within him.