South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-11-10
Lotty's Walk to Boston.

rough.looking man came driving slowly
/ by. He had red hair. thick, red beard
and light blue eyes. SO light that they
seemed almost white.
! The man was nearly Mt his journey's
end, but something in the child's face
attracted his attention. Perhaps it was
because he had little girl in his rough
home that lie had left few hours ago,
and the pitiful expression in this young
face touched his father.heart.
J Almost instinctively he stopped his
tired horse. AMI looked down upon her.
Tic saw that she was pretty. Her large
dark eyes were raised fearlessly. The
little, blue-check sun bonnet had fallen
to her shoulders, and the thick, flat,
brown curls were plastcred on her fore.
head by the perspiration caused by
walking in the sun.
! Presently clear, musical little voice
reached his ear.
sis Boston very far off, now?"
MY next stopping place, puss. Are
you going to Boston9 There's the long
bridge way yonder, to cross, and you're
there"
The child drew long sigh Of relief
"Fm so tired?" she said. Guess I'll
rest little longer"
drover.
Way from Thornville," mentioning
town about twelve miles off; and she
lifted her old sun.bonnet to its proper
place. and tied the strings.
The drover took his basket, which was
filled with crackers, and ham, and
cheese, and as the place happened to be
somewhat secluded, he clambered down
from the high wagon and seated himself
beside the child.
Hungry he asked.
'Yes, sir" she said simply.
"Then eat" and he filled her hands
with crackers. So you're goin' to Bos.
ton-sich mite rs you? Well, we'll ~
"Tm going to see DR.. Iris. Do you
know him? she quericd eagerly. "IIe
lives on fremont street, and fixes PEG.
! pies eyes. That's all Inc does do. One
of his neighbors told my mother about
it, and she says that he almost makes
the blind see. / walked all the way
from Thornville."
The drover paused in the act Of talk.
ing huge bite of his impoverished
sandwich.
"You walked?"
"Yes, SIR
when did you set out2"
Yesterday. in the afternoon. Mother
thinks spent the night ut Cousin Sa.
ras and did mean to, cause | wanted
her to go with me; but she was sick,
so came right on
"Whew Walked from there, eh?-
Where'd you spend the night?"
Gin n barn"
What? In barn? Well, you are
one of 'em. Your mother must hey q
sight Of faith in YOU"
80, she don't know it. mean she
don't know I've come all this way. ]
stay days sometimes at Cousin Sara's
And there's Betty ut home-she's my
sister, and, though she is lame, she can
do good bit but 1 couldn't bear 10
see mother suffer so.''
'If that don't beat all :" exclaimed
the drover, after long stare of admira
ton. "She's the pluckiest little critter
ever did see. Well, all hope is tina,
you may do what You come for; but
don't know. DIR. Iris, s'pose is one o
them rich fellers that wants big fees"
But | don't want him TO come 70,
nothing" said the child.
"Don't?"
mo. Ill pay him when am grown mp. ;
The drover threw back his big head
opened his huge mouth, and uttered
two or three explosive sounds. that were
| suppose, laughter to him.
well, that's too good ~ he roared
I'm blessed if ever 1 saw anything Sc
funny in all my born days. A kitter
like you talk about paying when you're
grown up. How old may you be now
miss-miss-'
"My names Lofty, and I'm nine next
May" said the child. with scriou,
manner, and nothing daunted by his nj
of amused interest.
"Well, well, ! neverr muttcred the
droycr, rising and stretching his brawny
frame. but come, I'll give Won n ride
as far as Boston, any way :" and Tin,
next moment he lifted her. as If she haC
been feather, and placed her on The
seat beside him.
SO they logged along behind tho stale
!. old horses, while the man pointed on
the sights. Everything was novel ant
dellghtlul 10 the little woman. The lOnl
bridge, the sparkling water, the vessels
and sail.boats. and steam tugs; Tho
CLINT Of the sun upon the river: the fin,
carriages that rolled past them. Every
thing she saw she treasured. that sh,
might carry the picture home fresh C
her mother. and begule the long, dark
painful hours with the story Of her OK
perience.
Leaving her with some pennies in het
band, and rs near 10 the place OF hei
destination "a Inc conveniently could
tho drover went on, quite lost in ADM
ration Of this brave, little soul and
Lofty began TO look about her.
The noise fthc streets, the hurryinp
jostling throngs, the cries and clamor oil
the news vendors and street merchants
discOncerted her little. Tn all her lirc
slic had never seen such bewlderinply
beautiful things rs tho sbon windoys