The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1876-04-06
THE I" STICK OF WOOD"

THE "STICK OF WOOD"
1t was a very queer looking stick o.
wood, with rosy cheeks and bright
black eyes. Not at all such one as you
would be likely to toss upon the fire
carelessly, though the owner sat in one
corner Of the large sitting-room listening
yes, listening. That was all the stick
of wood had done for three long, weary
days. Hence the cognomen, which was
by no means euphoniOus or pleasing.
Aunt Sarah didn't know what home.
sick little fellow he was, or how utterly
alone he felt in that great house without
mamma and the baby. What did he
care for his uncles and aunts? He didn't
know them. And his cousins laughed at
him because he scowled. Just az if they
wouldn't scowl, too, if they were cast
upon desert island of stranger relatives
as he was.
"Come and play jack-straws, with me,
Johnny" said dear little Sue.
There was no answer.
Here comes the lamp-lighter. Come
and see him." said Flo, from the window.
But Johnny said nothing, and in the
twilight no one saw the tears on the rosy
cheeks.
"Just like stick of wood, for all the
world" muttered Aunt Sarah, indis-
creetly.
There it was again. He couldn't
stand it.
"I amt stick of wood I" cried the
childish voice, Indignantly.
"Ah! you can speak. / am glad of
that"
But Johnny said no more, and his
cousins, weary with their unavailing
efforts to ,amuse him, made no further
advances. Tea-time came, and he went
to the table with the rest, after which
his small lamp was lighted, and Aunt
Sarah put him to bed.
Poor Aunt Sarah! She would have
been kind, but he would have none of
her kindness; would have heard him say
his prayers, but he would not say them !;
would have kissed him good night, but
he covered his head with his blanket. 1t
was discouraging, truly. She took her
lamp and went down stairs, saying as
she went:
"Might as we'll be deaf and dumb, and
done with it. wish Lizzie was at home.
She'd know just how to manage him."
And Johnny, who had ears, and sharp
ones, too (when not under the blanket),
wondered what deaf and dumb meant.
What funny things they said about him
in this house. Oh, how he wished man,
ma hadn't gone away; but sbesmust,
cause the doctor said so, and the baby
had to get we'll, too. He was well already,
so they had sent him to Uncle James.
He almost wished he'd been sick like the
baby. He could lie in bed all day, but
be couldn't bear to have them talk to
him. He was glad Aunt Lizzie wasn't
at home. There were enough of them
now, calling him sticks of wood, and
everything else.
He didn't cry, but there was dull,
hopeless pain at his little heart that
would have moved Aunt Sarah to pity
had she known of it.
The next day Sue dressed him in his
little sailor suit, and took him to school
with her. He submitted in silence, evil
IDENTIFY thinking it one of his prosecutions;
but when fairly out in the bright sun
shine, with the brilliant flowers and
gayly. .colored leaves making the gardens
so CHEEKY, and even the sidewalks so
beautiful, life did not seem so heavy a
burden, after all.
"Isn't it nice out here ?" asked Sue.
"It's nicer than it is in there" was
the cautious reply, pointing to the house.
"The house is nicer when Aunt Lizzie
is in it," replied Sue, speaking more to
herself than to the little boy.
els itT
"Oh, yes, a great deal. She tells us
lots of stories"
"Does sheT
Johnny's eyes frightened, for he had
a thorough appreciation of stories.
"She's pretty, too"
Aunt Sarah calls me stick OF wood"
was his evasive answer.
Aunt Sarah makes nice cookies" re-
piled Sue, anxious to present the bright
side of life to Johnny's gaze.
But he had no time to reply, for the
school house was reached, and troop of
eager children gathered about Sue, who
was an especial favorite. Many were the
admiring glances cast upon her little
companion glances which met with not
the shadow Of response, but were, in
stead, received with stolid indifference.
"Oh, what a pretty little boyW cried
an enthusiastic young lady, at length.
Johnny scowled.
"What cunning little jacket! Did
your mother make itT"
No answer. A post could not have
been more uncommunlcative.
"You little darling. kiss me, won't
your
But Johnny wouldn't.
ct wish he would do something"
thought Sue; but she said nothing.
Putting his hat upon nail, she led him
into the school-room, and sat down beside
him.
What funny place it was. The
teacher sat upon high platform, and
talked as fast as she could, and when she
stopped the boys and girls began and
how much they bad to say, and how
loud they said it Very smart they
must be, Johnny thought. One little
girl, who drew picture of an impossible
pitcher upon the blackboard, was his
especial admiration, because of profu
sion of golden hair. But Bridgets IL
nicer when she takes out her comb" he
thought to himself. And then the old
homesick feeling came back, for Bridget
had gone away with mamma.
School was out at twelve, and the chill.
dren sauntered slowly home, stopping on
the way 10 make bouquets OF the leaves
that almost covered their pathway. They
were 30 merry, their laughter was &c
hearty and happy, that IL was contagious
A delightful epidemic, which Johnny
caught, almost without knowing IT,,