The Potter journal and news item. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1872-1874, 1873-04-18

now and III tell you why. ou see
that white meetin-house on the hill
over there" and he pointed out
church half hidden in grove of ma
pies, "well, when father died, the
preacher came two or three times to
see mother, and by-and-b by she began
to 90 there on Sundays, she and
my biggest sister, and they took the
baby along cause l wouldn't stay
home to mind him and the three on
'em crept in onter the hind seats for
they feared somehody'd laugh at their
mean clothes. I'd take my line for
the creek but when they'd got in and
the folks began to sing I'd turn back
and listen under the windows. But
if Jacly cried and l heard Sis com
ing out with him, I'd strike off again.
One time | got caught. A lady came
| round the corner and looked so an
gel-like all in white that | forgot to
run, and she talked to me ever so
much and when the bell rang and
the big growed-up folks came out O.
the meetin' she loaded me in and sit
me down on a bench with more bows
and then-but l can't tell YOU no
more; jest You come too, next Sun
day, and she'll teach both on us. Say
yes, stranger, do say yes, urged Jim
my as the whistle of the approaching
train was heard.
Cant tell for sure. Mebbe."
"But You must come. III get YOU
if you'll tell me where and well slip
in so sly that no one will look at
you. Any way, you amt no rag
geder than | be-" and the little fel-
low stood up to display a poor jack
ct and tattered trowscrs to the
thoughtful eyes Of Ned.
What makes your face so white? :"
asked the latter abruptly.
Cause | amt had much to eat
since yesterday"
"Hokey. youdon't come nigh stare
ing do you? Don't your mann work
any,"
"When she can get it. Works
skerce." And here Jimmy tueged
at his basket, for the train came thun-
deling around the curve and in a few
minutes more would be off again; for
it only stopped for wood and water.
Ned watched the thin, weak hands
lifting the heavy basket and soon gen
tly pushed him aside, saying, as he
swung the basket upon his shoulders.
Just you set there until | come
back and away he dashed through
the crowd that now moved on the plat
form and entered the first car, sing
ing out, "Apples, apples, sir" as
though he were well used to the pro-
fession. He soon sold all but four.
Four Of the smallest, most ill-nature1
looking apples in the lot. The gen
tleman to whom he applied for the
next purchase was a iine-looking man,
and turned upon Ned a pair of eyes
as bright az his own. Something
about the boy seemed to please him
for he gave him 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 apples back to him. "Ain't
used to asking odds Of folks" he
thought to himself, shut l guess l
must tnis tme," so with rising color
but steady eyes, he began:
"Can't say them's honest, fair ap-
pies, sir, but they'll help little feI-
Ter to get some supper what don't get
much to sup on most days"
Indeed" said the gentleman with
an amused air, "You don't look
like such little fellow"
How Ned's eyes did flash as he re-
torted:
you'll see him under that wood |
pile if you look out Of the windcr,'
and was about to move off for an.
other customer when the gentleman
handed him ten cents and asked at /.
what place they were stopping. Ned |.
answered quite graciously but add
ed they wouldn't stop long; and /
was therefore much surprised when
the gentleman rose out Of his seat .
and requested him to show him to a
hotel. The two left the car and Ned .
said, I'm one minute, sir" and bound .
ded off to Jimmy who sat shiyering
where his friend had left him, al
though looking a little lost.
Here, Bub; did as good as could
by You. Go down to the creek to-
afternoon and wait for me
nigh the beech-tree," and Ned drop