The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1873-05-22

| MISS IOlly 10 matters terreStrlal.
" Mercy what is the young one up
to now? Got my best spice-box for a
boat, and punched hole clear through
the bottom of it to stick mast in, as
sure us | am alive"
"Well, Maggie wouldn't tell me
stories, an my tops broke, an 1 didn't
know nothin' else to do, affirmed Billy,
defensively.
Nothin' else? Well, it's lucky you
didn't, for it would like as anyway have
been something worse instead Of better
There, there, child !" with softening
light in her eye whereby the angel in
her flashed into sight for IN instant,
call the splashin' in the world can't
make an ocean in wash-tub older
folks than you have tried it. Run out
in the yard and play, there's a good
boy"
The June sunshine fell soft and
bright upon the quaint, homely old
garden, and Billy was quite rcconciled
to his banshmcnt the moment he caught
the rustic of the lilac leaves, and met
the familiar nodding of the tall, good
naturcd Slnflowcrs. He seated himself
on the grass, dug his bare toes into the
warm earth of poppy-bed, and leaning
his small elbows upon the patched
knees of his small trousers, settled his
round chin between his palms, and
dropped into fit of childish medita-
ton. With no past to remember no
cares to make anxious, and small knowl-
edge Of possibilities to curb him. his
dreams and plans had wild, free
range; and he had quite decided where
he would go when he came into pos
session Of his coveted wings, besides Sc
Letting particularly soft, tieecy cloud,
in the far-otr blue, to serve as his bed
at night, latter it got too dark too fly"
when a voice interrupted him.
Why don't you play with me, Billy
Mmray?" A little blue dress was
crushed against the fence, pair Of tiny
hands grasped the pickets, and from
under white sun-bonnct merry brown
eyes laughed at Billy.
"'Causc-I guess-Tm thinkin' what
I'll do, he responded with slow gray
ity, neither disturbed nor astonished by
her sudden presence.
What you'll do when you're big? I
know all that now, and guess | won't
wait to grow, either!" ratified the little
damsel, her nimble tongue crowding
in the words 50 thick and fast that she
contrivcd to uttcr dozen in the time
Bill would have required for one.
What?" asked Billy, slowly, but
with an awakening glcam of curiosity.
Keep toll-gate-that's what. |
know all about 'em, for me and papa
rode through in carriage, and L did
see it my own self. You have a gate
clear across the road, so folks can't get
through, and then they pay you to open
it and you don't have anything to do
but just live in nice funny little
house, and get lots of money.
Billy's blue eyes frightened. Down
from his airy heights, ut the prospect
of gaining earth's shining dust, he came
as readily as though he had been older.
81 guess I'll do that, too" he an
nounccd.
Long Of mop
Yes" said Billy, accepting the
partnership as condescendingly as
though the patent-right for the inycn-
ton had not belonged to the other
party.
"Well, let's do it now, " proposed the
vivacious small lady, anxious to be
making her fortune at once. 81 guess
lots of folks go long the road down by
the end of the lane, and if we have it
there then they'll have to pay us"
Yes" said Billy, once more, and
lifting the latch Of the gate, he slipped
out.
Maggie had ears for nothing that
morning but footstep that did not
come, and Aunt Polly was too busy in
looking after the whole of creation to
pay any special attention to her own
small corner Of it /; so there was nobody
to observe the new firm, as they trudged
off to seek a favorable locality for their
enterprise. 1t was no long search, how
ever, since the road at the end of the
lane was the only one they knew any
thing about moreover, it was narrow,
and well suited to their purpose in that
way.
81 don't know how we'll stop it up,
though" Billy remarked, surveying it
doubtfully. But Garlic was fertile in
expedients. Her quick eyes rested |
upon an old unused cart standing lit
tie distance up the lane, and she pro-
posed that they should draw that down
across the road, to begin with. 1t was
hard work, with all their united strength
and most vigorous efforts, but they per-
severed until the task was accomplished.
81 thought it was big enough to
reach ever so far, and it don't" said
Garlic, disappointedly. Anybody