The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1876-09-14
LOTTY'S WALK TO BOSTON.
IYouth,s Companion ]

1t was nine o'clock in the morning.
BY the roadside sat little child. A
rough locking man came driving slowly
by. He had red hair, thick red beard,
and light blue eyes, 30 lighs that they
seemed almost white,
The man was nearly at his journeys
end, but something in the child's face
attracted his attention. Perhaps it was
because he had little girl in his rough
home that he had left few hours ago,
and the pitiful expression in this young
face touched his father-heart.
Almost instinctively he stopped his
tired horse, and looked down upon her.
He saw that she was pretty. Her large,
dark eyes were raised fearlessly. TIE
little blue check sunbonnet had fal'er
to her shoulders, and the thick, fiat,
brown curls were plastered on her fore
head by the perspiration caused by walk
ing in the sun.
Presently clear, musical little voice
reached his ear.
sis Boston very far off nowT
"My next stopping place, puss. Are
you going to Boston? There's only the
long bridge way yonder to cross, and
you're tnere.
The child drew long sigh of relief
"Pm 50 tired 70 she said. "Guess I'll
rest little longer"
"Where dye come from?" asked the
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 pl, ce happened to be
somewhat secluded, he clambe: ed down
from the high wagon, and seated him.
self beside the child.
"Hungryp he asked.
eyes, sir" she said, simply.
"Then eat" and he filled her hands
with crackers. $50 you're goin' 10 Bos.
ton-sich mite as you? Well, we'll"
"Pm going to see DIR. Iris. DO you
know him?" queried the girl eagerly
"He lives on fremont street, and he
fixes peoples eyes. That's all he does
do. One of the neighbOrs told my
mother about it, and she says that he
almost makes the blind see. l walked all
the way from ThOrnville."
The drOver paused in the act of taking
huge bite Of his improvised ham sand
wich.
"YOu walkedT
eyes, sir"
"When did you set out ?"
Yesterday, in the afternoon. Mother
thinks spent the night at Cousin Sara's
and did mean to, cause wanted hel
to 60 with me; but she was sick, 80 ]
came right on"
"Whew! Walked from there, eh
Where'd you spend the nightY'
"In barn."
"What7 In barn? Well, you are one
of 'em. Your mother must have sight
O. faith in you"
go, she don't know it. / mean she
don't knew I've come all this way. i stay
days sometimes ut Cousin Sara's. AND
there's Betty at home-she's my sister
and. though she is lame, she can do 9
good bit; but | couldn's bear to see
mother suffer So"
eff that don't beat allv' exclaimed
| the dr0ver after long stare of admira
tion. "She's the pluckiest little crittel
ever did see. Well, all hope is tha
you may do what you come for; but
don't know. Dr. Iris, i s'pose, is one Z
them rich fellers that wants big fees"
"But I don't want him to come TO
nothing" said the child.
"Don'tT
"No, I'll pay him when am grow
up"
The drover threw back his big head
opened his huge mouth, and uttered tw,
or three explosive sounds, that were,
suppose, laughter TO him.
"Well, that's too goodp' he roared
"Pm blessed if ever saw anything ~
funny in all my born days. A kittel
like you talking about paying whel
you're grown up. How old may you b.
now, miss--miss"-
"My name isLotty, and I'm nine mex
May" said the child, with seriou
manner, and nothing daunted by his al
Of amused interest.
"Well, well, | neverp muttered th
droyer, rising and stretching his Drawn,
frame. "But cone, I'll give you rid
as far as Boston, anyway" aud the mex
moment he lifted her, as II she had beeI
a feather, and placed her OH the sea
beside him.
So they joggled along behind the stale
old horses, while the man pointed on
the sights. Everything was novel ant
delightful to the little woman. The lonl
bridge, the sparkling water, the vessels
and sail-boats, and steam-tugs; the gin
of the sun upon the river; the fine car
riages that rolled past them. Everythin,
che saw she treasured, that she NIGH
carry the picture home fresh TO he
mother, and beguile the long, dark, pain