Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1875-02-19
galss ano gAete5es.
SWUNG INA WINDMILL

Upon a high table-land near Wexford
stands the great windmill, whose long
arms, covered with tattered sails, go swing
ing round and round all day long.
One summer afternoon there sat in the
doorway of this mill studying thumbed
and tattered book, boy of fourteen, with
a brown face, curly hair and bare feet His
torn straw hat lay upon the floor beside
him, and small black dog, whose head he
now and then carressed, stood by and
looked into his face.
! 1t was Thad Trimble the son of the own
or Of the windmill
| Thad was in charge of the mill that day,
! for his father had gone to neighborin2
city. The boy had arranged everything,
and set the machinery in motion, and now
he was enjoying little respite.
The wheels and belf-drums clanked and
rumbled above his head, the corn dropped
steadily through the hOppers, the old build
| ing itself shudGered with the struggles of
the great wind wheel, and fine yellow
dust hung floating in the air, making the
sunbeams, which streamed through win
dow far up on tae wall, look like bars of
glowing gold.
Thad turned the last leaf of his book
He drew his finger down the page rs he
read, aud then with sigh which made
even little dog Punch look anxious, he came
To the end That's the whole of it. Punch,
that's the last word. Where do you sup
pose I'm to get another
i. Tkad looked mournfully at his book for
few minutes, as if trying tJ answer his
own question. Then suddenly remember
ing his duty in the mill. he leaped to his
feet and FASTENED in To inspect the trOughs.
He levcleI down the yellow pyramid Of
meal. ran up the ladder to the hoppcrs, and
threw in more corn, and slipped the run
ming belt upon larger wheel to make the
mill go faster. This done, he rested again,
and pcered out at the huge arms as they
swept around in the breeze, throwing their
shadows on the sunny field.
Presently, seeing everything was in order.
he started TO go down again. Al that mo
ment Punch uttered a low bark. Thad
looked over the railing and saw that there
was visitor below. Not visitor of the
kind who usually came to look at the mill,
but a weli-dressed gentleman, an old, white
haired man with a white vest, a black coat,
tall silk hat and 4 pair of patent-leat
shoes tied with black silk ribbons.
Thad descended as soon as possible. The
old gentleman smiled and was very polite.
Il have come to examine your windmill, ,
said he. L have often seen it from dis
tance, and am very curious about it,
Thad at once offered TO conduct him
through the whole establishment, and gay
ly enough they stated on their rounds, for
the gentleman was full Of wit, and kept his
young companion laughing the way.
Thad noticed that he had very bright,
black eyes, which sparkled and everything.
But his talk was even liyeier than his eyes,
and there was almost no end to the ques-
tons he asked Thad about himself and his
wishes and prospects.
Of course Thad found n chance to tell
him there was nothing in the world that he
more desired than goods and plenty of them.
Books, eh p echoed the other, with Il
sharp glance. Tell me just what kind you
like best
We'll, sir, replied Thad books oFtravel;
books about great men.
'l'll send you plenty, replied the gentle
maa but upon one condition.
What is that, sir, please p inquired
beyond his power.
1t is that you open that door away up
over our heads, and let ME see the sails of
your windmill
Thad started for an instant. Then he
began to laugh.
; why, of course you can SEE them, sir.
/ They've not much to look at
Then come,' cried the old gentleman,
with slight look Of impatience, let us
! climb up there
/ But the ladder is not very strong. SIR
! o yes, it is,' insisted the old gentleman ;
it is very strong. l can see that it is
very sirong..'
But it is very dusty, and with your
black coat
/ But don't care, cried the other, with
even more impatience. i should not care
| if the rungs we're covered with tar
"A curious sort of gentleman thought
| Thad but, at least said he, aloud, we
must wait take another look at the MILL
The mill is going ali right. am sure
! it is making noise enough.
No, ] am afraid the corn is getting
short
But need not wait for you. l can go
up the ladder alone
All right, SIR responded Thad, anx-
/ i0us to please. and full of visions of the
! choice books that his strange visitor was
going to send him. You have only to pull
at the wooden pin in the latten, and open
the wooden door, and you will see the sails
before YOU
Good = cried the old gentleman, in an
! exultant voice. i shall then he very hap