Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-09-24
BENNYS BOOTS.
By MRS. c. 4. RAwsON.

account OF the tatterS that took the place
OF clothes, was little Benny You would
wonder why such child should be so
busy; not merely because of his size
tor there were others as small as he who
were working among the pickers, but
these seemed to do it as much for play
as for anything else, doubtless impelled
to industry by the prospect Of earning a
few pence to spend on some coveted
sweetmeat-but because Of the earnest
industry Of the child, who worked as ii
he could not spare moment, and who
evidently had motive strong enough to
induce such constant activity.
Every morning shortly after five o'clock
the great wagon called at the Four Cor
ners to take up the pickers and convey
them to the hop-ields, and Benny was al
ways on hand at the appointed time.
ready to begin labor with the earliest
there, while he was one of the last to
leave the scene of activity
During the long day Of toilsome work
he would show signs of WEAKNESS, often
OF weakness; yet his industry was I'M
CeaSing.
Twice day tea or coffee was handed
to the laborers, who, at such seasons.
rested for a brief interval, and usually
with them. But Benny sat apart from
the happy thrOngs and ate his mOrsel in
silence perhaps because he was ashamed
to show the poverty of his fare in CON
trast with the wellflled pals of the 9TH
ers. He had no need of tin pail, for
generally his dinner was only a cold DO
tato and scrap Of dry bread, and these
were easily carried in his pOcket-for
there actually was pocket somewhere
among the rags that half covered hiE.
Having eaten his meager lunch he
would throw himself on his back with a
sigh Of relief at being thus able to rest
the tired little limbs: and yet it always
seemed as if he was reluctant to take
even these seasons of needful reDOSe
for as soon as one of the others gave an
indication for moving he would Jump up
and resume his labor, as if endeavoring
to make up for the time he evidently
considered he had lost.
His companions relieved the mOnOtony
OF their labor by Snatches of song or oc-
casional jest, and the younger pickers by
a frolic on the grass; but Benny had no
share in any of these amusements. He
was as silent as he was busy
For the first few days the boys made
him the subject Of many an unkind jest;
and even the men would sometimes Join
in teasing him. He was hustled out of
the way; commanded to "take his rags
out Of the road" and numberless other
singing taunts; but nothing moved him
to reply: the poor little face would only
take on shyer or more saddened eX-
preston.
One morning his companions were I'M
usually provoking and had made him the
butt of all their cruel sport Moving off
as far as he could from the others he
| worked on with the same industry as be-
fore, yet every now and then wiping a
! tear away.
One great fellow, whose remark had
urged the others on, happening to glance
| in that direction, saw the effect of his I'M
thinking cruelty and feeling of re-
| pentance came over him, which was in
| creased as he remarked for the first time
how thin and pale the little worker was.
The intermisSion came, and coffee was
| passed to each picker, while, as usual
| the pals were quickly uncovered, and
all ate their dinners. Contriving to pass
| by Benny, who had seated himself as far
as he could from the others, and who
looked up timidly when his tormentor
| approached, the man noticed the meager
fare, and FASTENED back to the others.
| say, boys, we've been kind O. hard
on that little chap; he's half starved, any
how; and never did a meaner piece of
business in my life than when pestered
him." said he, with look of contritiOn
| that went long way in winning the rest
OF them to his present mode OF thinking
Guess I've got a piece OF pie left.
| Wonder if he'd take it after a fellow
abused him so?" he added, as he again
went toward Benny, who evidently feared
his approach
"See here, little chap" said he, in such
new tone Of voice that Benny opened
big eyes of establishment; " I've been a
great brute in talking as l did. Feel
mean enough to give myself kicking if
could; but seeing as | can't, and faint
likely you'd like to do it for me, will We
look over the matter now, and let's be
friends?'
This was so unexpected to the child,
whose sore heart had already nearly over
flowed, that he could not control himself
to reply, but flung himself on the grass
and sObbed, to the CONSERVATION of the
rough penitent.
why, you poor little ragamuffin. ="
said he Hold on now; don't take on
y,
that any one could buy me out for a
dime, and not make much of a bargain
either. Say, now, can't you forgive and
forget?"
Benny lifted face that looked like
sunshine amid rain; or it would have
looked so if it had been a clean face; but
the hop picking hands. that were used to
wipe away the big tears, had streaked 1t;
so that even the penitent fellow had to
laugh, though he made haste to explain
the reason.
This was the beginning of better times
for the boy, who went back to his work
with a new expression in his eyes, the
sad, dropping look having vanished en-
tirelv. He was even seen to smile at
some lest; and when the afternoon rest
came he actually took a seat beside his
new friend, and began to eat his remain
ing potato with a relish that brought
something like a lump to the throat Of
the other; who by flip of his finger and
thumb sent the cold vegetable flying
through the air and then slipped huge
slice OF bread and cheese in its place.
There" said he, "well let the black
birds have that, if they want 1t. A
change Of fare won't hurt you"
Benny now had friends in abundance;
each one DESTROYS of atoning for past IN
kindness Lunch-time after this was
season of such enjoyment that he hailed
its arrival with as much graft cation as
any Of the Number: and so much liberali-
" was shown him that he needed his
potato and bit of bread only for the sake
Of appearance. Indeed, if hop-picking