Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-07-18
Stltttt0 Storp.
TO M M Y
RN MARY L, Il. BRANCH.

Mr.. Pritchard lifted him out of the
wagon and Sc, him down on the door
step. What little fellow he was. and
what wondering, pleased look there
was in his eyes He had on coarse
shoes, a blue check apron. and his pretty
brown hair was cropped close under the
shabby cap. Ii was almost too cold a
day for such little boy to be out with
out any coat. Mrs. Pritchard took him
by the hand. 10 lead him 10. and the
lille hand clung confdingly to hers.
What's your name, dear?" she asked
pleasantly.
Tommy Bobbiti, be answered resdi-
ly. Am going to stay here?"
Folks all dead" said Mr.. Pritchard
Mother went month or so back.
told them over TO the county-house we'd
take him and Try him; and if he suited
we'd keep him and DO well by him. We
don't know what kind Of stock he is yet /;
and if find any mean, dishonest tricks
in him, back be goes. We don't wan, TO
ldop, boy, and set by him. and have
him sting US in our old age"
"Oh know Tommy will be nice
hl,e boy, said the wife, kindly.
He certainly did no, Iook like bad
boy. rs be stood there, thinking how
good and warm the fire was, and admi. =
ing The bright tins, the shining oil cloth.
the cat on the rug. and most OF all the
cheerv-faced woman. who now seated
him in low chair by the stove and gave
him q bowl Of warm bread aud milk.
The Pritchards were isrmiug people
and well to-dO They had never had a
child OF their own, and. after much con-
sidera,ion. had decided to adopt a boy
when 3 suitable one could be found.
Word reached them that child four
yesrs old had recently been lett OF the
town; and Mr.. PritchsTd. on driving
over 10 see about il. had brought the lit
lie fellow home on trial.
An hour after the farmer was out lac
ing The north wind and harvesting his
pumpkins: while Tommy Bobbitt. lay
on the rug. with his arm over the old
cats neck. thinking happily OF gInger-
bread man which he knew TO be at that
moment baking in the oven tor him.
Mrs. Pritchard, as she cleared away her
mornings work. was planning how 10
cut over dark mantle, that hung nn-
used in the garnet, into warm eom-
Portable coat for Tommy to wear when
be went riding aud Sundays. Sue meant
10 knit him some thick stockings at once
and get him g good cap.
Nobody knew how dreary anu ioF'ofn
= life i, had been in the county house ior
a lir,le four-year-old boy, suddenly lett
,-,snSless. He had wandered. shivering'
IN the ward sometimes. picking up her'
and there red leaf to play with. de hao
bune around in the big. cheerless room
where q few decrepit old women sat
Aooanss in the mems room there was
,an,;.b balf-gitted fellow. who frightened
him Nights he slept with dreadiul
~ three times as old as himselt'who
"a ,bin0s 10 scare him. who pulled all
,ho hsd.clo,hes away. and kicked in his
.lesn, And nobody knew how his little
Loar, bsd sched for the dead mother who'
,ho,ob moor and unfortunate. had shell
tered him to the last.
Bu, now, in his warm. new nome ne
had frightened into rosy, pretty o0Y :
lie had new shoes and stockings anu
u,s Pritchard made him the little coat
9TH . motherly insiic, growing in her
heart with every stitch. He learned the
d;fFsren, rooms and ran about them rear
Is.slv @ he made funny little speeches. he
;nmnsd and laughed like other happy
Sovs and climbed boldly on Farmer Pfl'ch-
ord,s knee when that good man sat down
% take his ease after supper
He, 90, meat in him" said the farm
sr y nOdding approvingly; "Ou' ID aon !
tnov - whether he's honest yet. That's
me III ing. TO my mind" -,
Tommy had been there weeAInAu
Ia.