National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1874-05-30
FOR BOYS AND GIRLS
HOsU ArthaIr Ran AsVau.

like sunlight Oh q French marigold
and a little freckled face, that wa
a very pleasant face, too, when il
did not happen to have a shade O
discomfort on it, as it did just now
Arthur was giving his opinion
quite freely to the great yellow cat
who sat perched on the gate post
eyeing him with no very loving
glances. You don't rem ember, but
doubtless Kitty did, the innumera'
BILE times when Arthur had tied the
string of "bell-peppcrs" round her
neck, and left her to sneeze her un.
offending head off ut her leisure
nor the time he tied her to the YES
try door by the tail, and she favor.
ed the company assembled at a
Methodist matchmaking with dis
NAL hOwls in varied keys.
Well, as Arthur told his troubles
to his feline friend, she listened with
grave attention. though close Oh
server might have detected all ex-
preston Of latent malice in the
small green disc of her eye.
II don't see why great big fellows,
five years old, that dress their own
selves, ought to be sent down town
for dozen pearl buttons every time
that Miss Scissors comes. Mother
never gives me a chocolate drop
when l get back, either, and Miss
Ellis always does, and"
Here his eyes fell on tall angu-
lar figure, stalking down the lane,
env eloped in an unusually gaudy
shawl, and carrying few necessa-
ry articles, such as a parasol, a bun
die of patterns, reticule, an extra
shawl, &c.
"Mother, you don't mean Miss
Cecilia is coming here again 2"
"Yes she is, " was the reply from
within; "and l want you-"
What she wanted Arthur did not
stop to see, but darted up the lane,
as if grizzly bears were in hot pur-
suit.
He finally stopped before a huge
old fashioned house, with lavender,
heath, and sweet.williams growing
within the white palings, and-yes,
a fair young lady just stepping out
of the door. 1t was his Sunday
school teacher.
"Why, Artie," and Miss Ellis
stopped for a kiss, "what brings my
little boy up here at eight o'clock in
the morning ?"
"Oh, | do'know, nothing particu.
lar" said Arthur inditferently. 81
should't wonder, either, if l had run
away"
Run away! and the blue eyes
grew sober. Why, Artie But l
suppose you are going back at once !!
Oh no, said Artie disdainfully,
that wouldn't be running away at
all. l shan't 60 home till to-mor-
row, anyhow, and perhaps 1 shan't
for sixteen years.
Miss Ellis smiled, but only said,
If you will come with me, Artie, Pll
show you a sad little sight, that is
very different from your nice, pleas
ant home. The little boy we are
going to see, has never walked in
his life; his mother is dead, and he
lies all alone in his room, while his
father is at work. have been to
see him very often, and have read
to him, and taken flowers to him
but I am afraid l shall never do
that any more.
They went into a dark, dirty,
street, known as "Rag Alley" and
before house equally dark
and dirty, but into which a ray of
light had fallen four years before.
In small room on low bed lay
a little creature, strangely bent and
twisted, but with face SO sweet
and touching in it's beanty that Ar.
thur held his breath. The great,
blue eyes had a light
more of heaven than earth !; the
white forehead, where the blue veins
showed plainly, was shaded by long
curls of pale gold color. The face,
with it's look of patient suffering
as Miss Ellis entered,
and a little thin hand was held out
to her.
Pm so glad you have come, he
said, with a little sigh. What little
boy is that's It's little Arthur, Ted
dy, said Miss Ellis F.; he has come to
see you, because he is so sorry you
are sick. ...
I am glad you are we'll little boy
said Teddy gravely. Is father here