Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-03-08
Red Wine


pull heavy wagons with more willing
ness than usual, IS If they too knew
that the days work was over. and
enjoyed the prospect of rest. The
lamp-lighters were going their
rounds, and trying to make up for
the lost daylight. Little children
were safe and warm at home.
ALI but one, perhaps. A little boy
| stood on the deserted sidewalk, close
to great window of plate glass,
through which be gazed with rapt
face. The picture which he looked
ut was beautiful one. A great room
with painted ceiling overhead. and
q chandelier which seemed to make
real sunshine. The walls were COW
| cred with fine paintings. A marble
| table heaped with delicious food,
stood near the center of the room.
The bright light struck through the
great decanter, and made big Grim
SON stain on the hand of q gentleman
who sat at the table reading a news
paper. A large diamond ring on one
finger seemed to wink and blink at
the little boy outside. 81 wish he'd
lock upl" the child was thinking.
But though he waited and watch
ed, the man did not move for long
time. Then he flung the paper down
| and reached out the hand with the
| diamond for wine- glass, which he
filled, and drank, never once looking
toward the window.
"Please, SIR"
That was all the boy said. He had
stepped from the street into the wide
hall; then, without stopping to knock,
he had opened the great door which
led into the gentleman's room. On
the threshold of the saloon be stop
ped, frightened at what be had done
"What is it, my small maD?'
Mr.. Arthur Leonard had a pleas
ant smile, which came easily to his
handsome face; but the child shrank
back, although he looked into the
big brown eyes az if he saw some
thing there he had been looking for
q great while.
"You came TO beg, L suppose" and
the gentleman's hand went readily
into his pocket.
"Oh, no, sir, [ never thought of
that wanted-I mean-please, sir,
| will go now"
He moved back awkwardly, but
Mr.. Leonard stopped him with gest-
| ure. The child's face interested him.
His manner, too, at first SO eager,
| now so embarrassed, had aroused his
curiosity.
"You are cold," be said, noticing
that the cild shivered and that bis
garments were thin and poor.
He rosa, took the boy by the hand
and led him to the CRATE fire which
was dancing on the hesrth--a big,
jolly fire which seemed trying to
light up the room and make the
chandelier uotice how big and bright
it was.
| Mr.. Leonard did not seem to think
it queer for q poor little boy with
patched clothes TO sit in one of the
crimson satin arm.chairs big enough
for throne. He drew up one for
himself opposite.
"Are you hungry" be asked. Il
will give you something TO eat, and o
little wine will warm you up"
"Ob, no, SIR" and the child shrank
further back in the big chair.
"You will tell me your name, at
least?"
"Yes sir. MY name is Eddie Boyn
ton, and [ am ten years DID,"
"Ah?'
Mr.. Leonard was smiling now, al
he;saw the boys courage coming
back.
"You will not be angry with me
sir2"
"Angry! why in the world should
be angry with your"
81 didn't know but you might, sir
if said what l wanted to-"
"Never fear, Eddie; l am anxious
to know what you have to tell me. !"
/ The little boy stretched his little
thin hands, red with the cold, on
toward the glowing fire, and said:
81 work in the dye-house now, ant
get good deal of money! dollar 1
week"
Mr.. Leonard could hardly help
laughing. The wine be bad Offered
the child cost more than that.
81 come past this big window
every night on my way home.
shan't come again, though, because
we are going to move away. | lik'
to look in here because it is so warn
and pleasant, and because you ore
here and have eyes just like my
fathers"
"What strange childl' Mr.. Leon
ard was thinking.
i He was so handsome and tall,
went on the little fellow, looking
back into the freight. ale wor,
nice cloths, too, like yours; and W.
lived 10 3 great big house, most a
big as this. | used to sit next to hin
at the table, and he gave me tina
to drink" pointing to the wine
glass. Smother would cry some
times, but he would kiss her, AM
tell her that good wine wonld max
me strong and handsome. One day
he went away for long time, ant
mother cried all the time be wa
gone. When he came back he strucl
her, aud then fell down on the floor
screamed, because l thought b
was dead. The black man, who drov
the horses, helped mother to ge
him TO bed. She said be was sick
He used to scream and fight if any
one went near him. 1t was the REL
wine that made him so, mother said
And then one night he died, an
there was great funeral. Afte
that mother packed up our cloths
and went to live where she coul
earn some money. Mother sews o.
o machine. Sometimes she cries a
night, guess.
He bad been talking very fast
but stopped suddenly.
Mr.. Leonard moved uneasily.