Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-03-14

were 30 WdrQ, buhJ Jn6y udu 10 sl5 uOWn
on two or three shop.door sills TO rest
and to their surprise, found that the
shop keepers didn't like il, and told
them to go away, or they would put a
head on them"
"What street is this, Joe ?" asked
Dick she began to suspect that she
was a long way from her quiet home.
81 don't know" replied Joe, "I'll
ask this man."
He did ask him, but the man walked
on without answering; then he asked
another, and then another, but nobody
paid any attention to him, and poor lit
tie Joe, thought he WaS boy, and eight
years old, and so very brave about
"playing hockey" began to cry.
"Don't p said Dick, who felt not
the least fear, "I'll ask somebody my
SELF"
She walked up to a very tall, very
grand lady, and looking up with her
bright, brave eyes, she said;
"Would you please be so kind as to
tell me what street this is p
The lady stopped and smiled some
how the very grand look went out of
her face as she bent her head and looked
down into the little Tom-boy's face.
"This is Kearney street, DEAR" she
said ; are you here all alone ?"
"Oh, no, marm Joe is here, too
we've both ruined away and played
hockey"
The lady looked astonished, as we'll
she might, at this frank confession, and
began to ask Dick her name, and where
she lived finally she took out her
purse and gave her two street-car tick
cts. "You go down to this next street, "
she said, "and get into the car, and
tell the conductor where you live, and
he'll let you out at the nearest street,
and then you will be all right; you and
the little boy can find your way then, I
guess"
"Thank you, marm, I'm very much
Obliged" answered Dick, politely
whereupon the lady laughed, and pat
ted her cheek, and walked on.
"Come, Joe," said the little girl,
don't cry; babies cry; I've got some
car tickets, and we're gong home,
now"
This news seemed to cheer up poor
Joe, for he wiped his eyes on the sleeve
of his jacket, and took hold of Dicks
hand as though he had perfect conf.
dence in her ability to take him home.
All would have gone well, now, and
the two runaways might have reached
home before dark, but, as they walked
along, looking in all the shop windows
as they went, they happened to brush
up against a tall, well-dressed China
man perhaps he was rich merchant
for his clothes were very handsome.
Dick did not notice his clothes, how
ever; she only noticed his long queue
hanging down behind; the spirit O
mischief never failed within her; shC
caught hold of it, like little Tom-boy
as she was, and gave it a sharp pull.
She did not wait to see what HI
thought or said, but dashed across thu
street, through an alley and down an
other street, before Joe quite realized
that she was gone.
He did realize, however, that thu
Chinaman was very angry, for h
caught hold of the collar of his jacket
and gave him a sound drubbing, il
spite of his sobbing protestation that i
wasn't him.
AS soon as he could see for tears, h,
looked around for Dick, but she wa
nowhere to be seen, being three or fou
blocks away by that time; and, MS h
had the tickets, he couldn't think O
anything better to do than to get on tn
car and go home; which he accordingl,
did; and his mother, who was Just anx
ious enough to be provoked, gave hin
another drubbing, by way of mate TO
the Chinaman's.
At first, Dick went along, singin
softly to herself I think she was rath
er glad to be rid of Joe and his tears
and felt free and happy without hi
company.
She found a fine mud puddle, too
and two little boys playing by it, wh
didn't understand mud-pie making hal
as we'll as herself, 80 she offered to hel
them; an offer which was gladly ac
cepted.
They were delighted with her, an
she with them, and they played YER
gaily until their mother called them il
to supper.
Then Dick began to feel very strang
and lonely; she was hungry and tired
and it was dark she wondered if sh
would ever find the little home, or eve
see her mother, and father, and bi
brother again. Somehow, the courag
dropped in the brave little heart, an
as it got darker and darker, she go
sadder; at last, she turned her fac
against wall, and began to sob bit
terly.
Nobody noticed her for q while; bu
at last a gentleman stopped, and said
" What's the matter my little girl ?"
81 want my mother" " sobbed the lii
tie Tom-boy-Tom-boy no longer
"Where is your mother, dear ?"
"Home |"
"Where is your home?" he asked.
She told him.
"Why !" said he, 81 live pretty nea
there, myself come with me and L.
take you to your mother"
"Please do p said Dick, wiping he
eyes; "Tll never run away again,
you will"
The gentleman took her hand, an
led her along with him.
$50 you ran away, did you?" b
said
4" Yes," answered Dick, in a ve1
subdued tone, quite unlike hersel
"I played hockey with Joe Lewis, an
went to fire."
"My soul !" cried the gentleman
laughing until the tears came into h
eyes, "what little mite you are, to
such dreadful things |"
"I'll never do it again." said Dicl
solemnly, "never, never, neverp
When the gentleman rang the bel