The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-10-01
For Bridget stood star

"Five hundred dollars reward-fve
hundred Yes, your honor" she an
swered to his last question to her.
"And shall tell him that, them
"Of course" growled the grouty
uncle; "and don't let the grass grow
under your feet"
So off darted Bridget, saying over
again:
"Fiye hundred dollars five hundred
dollars 7" in tone of wonder.
And the grouty uncle thumped his
cane. and ragged like a lion in cage, for,
underneath the crusty part of him was
big. soft heart, that loved his little niece
Rose more than anybody knew.
The crier whipped up his round, lazy
horse, and started off i'll his one-seated
gig. At every corner he rang his brazen-
faced bell like wild fire, and shouted, in
his round, rolling voice:
Give hundred dollars reward! Lost
lost lost A little girl, with long light
eurls, and bonnet with blue strings;
with one thumb done up in cot, and a
mole one inch back of her left ear. Five
hundred dollars reward to anybody that
brings her back safe and sound-five
hundred dollars reward"
Tony Ketchum, with his pile of papers
under his arm, just damp from the press,
listened to the crier ut one OF the cor
ners.
Wouldn't / like to find that ERE
little girl?" said Tony, with a smack of
his lips. "That's the easiest way for a
lucky chap to step into fortune that l
knows on, went on Tony. I'D like to
be that lucky chap, the worst kind, too
Guess mother and me 'ud take things
easy then and Sis mebbe she wouldn't
have an orange-colored gown-eh
S'posin' l wanted to sport light kids on
a Sunday-whose business would it be
And marm's cracked teapot might shed
its old puttied nose. Who dye s'pose
nd carel Wouldn't we make tea i'll our
silver ice-pitcher!'
Tony fitted his back to lamp-post
and let the bright visions of what he and
"marm and isis would do with that
ere five hundred dollars fit through his
busy brain. 1t is strange how completely
Tony's head was turned, for generally he
was the sharpest, cutest little chap that
ever trod vermont shoe-leather. He al
most always sold out his papers, too,
ahead of the other newsboys but this
night he never thought of attending to
his business till the clock struck eight,
and then all ut once he came to his
senses.
81 swanny :" said he, with a start
what precious donkey l am to be
sure :"
And he went TO work in earnest; but
his papers sold slowly.
What's to be done!' said he.
"Marm's waiting for me to bring home
some provender If they were only prov
vided for | wouldn't mind for me.
He walked on, up one street and down
another, taking no thought of where he
was going.
" Hooray!" he said at last" there's
the hash Itll be enough for them, and
if | don't go home they'll have to eat it.
So, Mr.. Tony Ketchum, the best plan for
you will be to here he took time to
consider" to camp out, and wait till
morning light for rations. Moren one
brave teller afore you has done it, SO
uone o yer lip" For the damp night
air mad set him to coughing Let this
teach Yer a lesson, Tony" said he, look
ing around for good place where to
spend the night, "not TO go wool-gath-
erin agin-leastwise not in business
hours"
He stopped at last before church that
had high steps in front, but on one side
was porch. Tony, cycling it, said:
"The very ticket -
And over the fence he climbed. There
was bench running along inside the
porch.
Heigho!" said Tony I" if it wasn't
for marin and Sis a-worrying about me
I'd be comfortable enough"
He doubled up his papers for pill
low.
Howsumever, they won't go hungry
that's one 'breviation to think of.
Hash Well, hash is good. Seems to
me L never was 50 fond of it, though, as
/ am just this minute"
Tony was drowsy. In the next breath
he would have been asleep, but queer
kind of noise struck all at once upon his
ear.
What's that ?" said he springing,up,
wide awake.
The moonlight streamed into the
porch, and showed every corner of it as
plain as day. There was nothing there
W mike SUCH llOlSe, sure. QUIZ Llle
noise kept on.
at sounds like Sis crying" said
Tony.
He went outside the porch he could
hear it palmer. 1t was a kind of soft
sobbing, such as a frightened child
would be apt to make. Guided by the
sound Tony walked along in the grass
till he stood underneath one of the
church windows, which he saw was open.
He thought, too, he saw face pressed
against the glass OF the window. Tony
waited bit to make sure, and then
asked
whats upl"
=" | am, " answered faint little voice,
" and / want to get down"
" How did you get there 2"
went to sleep and got locked up" !
And then the soft sobbing began
again.
=" Hold on" said Tony. "Don't 10
that"
:" But | want to get out"
"Well, amt just the one to help yer
outT You're little chap. / can tell by