The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1877-06-05
r cd Wine-A True Story.

ger to reach comfortable homes; tn
horses seemed to pull heavy wagons wit
more willingness than usual, as il the.
too knew that the days work was over
and enjoyed the prospect of rest. Tn
amplighters were going their rounds
and trying to make up for the lost day
at home.
All but one, perhaps. A little boz
stood ON the deserted sidewalks, close tt
a.great window of plate glass, through
which he gazed with rapt face. The pic
ture which he looked at, was beautiful
one. A great room, with painted ceiling
overhead, and chandelier which seemet
to make real sunshine. The walls were
overed with fine paintings, A marble
table, heaped with delicious food, stool
near the centre of the room. The brigh,
light struck through the great decanter
ami made Il big crimson stain on The
white hand of II gentleman who sat al
the table reading Il newspaper. A large
diamond ring on one finger seemed to
wink and blink at the little boy outside
!" wish he would look up" the child
was thinking.
But though he waited and watched, the
man did not move tor long time. Then
h. flung the paper down and, reached on,
the hand with the diamond for wine.
glass, which he filed 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 gentlemans room. On the threshold
of the saloon he had stopped, frightened
at what he had done.
"What is it, my small man p
Arthur Leonard had pleasant smile
which came to his handsome face, but the
child shrank back, although he looked
into the big brown eyes as he saw some
thing there he had been looking for a
great while.
You come to beg, suppose and
the gent.eman's hand went readily into
his pocket.
"Oh, no, sir, never thought of that
Il wanted-I mean-plsase sir, will
60 nowf"
He moved back awkwardly, but Mr..
leonard stopped him with gesture.
The chila's face Interested him. His man
ner, too, at first so eager, now so embar-
raised. had aroused his curiosity.
. You are cold" he said, noticing that
the child shivered, and that his garments
were thin und poor.
He rose, took the boy by the hand and
led him to the CRATE fire that was burning
on the health-a big, jolly fire, which
seemed trying to light up the room, and
make the chandelier notice how big and
bright it was.
Mr.. Leonard did not seem to think it
queer for a little boy, with patched clo-
thing to sit in one Of the crimson satin
arm. chairs, big enuogh for throne. He
drew one up for himself opposite.
"Are you hungry ?" he hsked 81
will give you something to eat, and lit
lie wine will warm you up"
"Oh, no, sir" and the child shrank
further back into this big chair
"You will tell me your name, at the
leastp'
"Yes, sir. Ny name is Eddie Boyn-
Ton, anu am Ten years OlQ
"Ah!' Mr.. Leonard was smiling now,
as he saw the boys courage coming
back
"You will not be angry with me, sir"
said he.
Angry! why in the world should |
be angry with you?'
~ didn't know but you might, sir, if !
said what l wanted to-"
"Never tear, Eddie, am anxious to
know what you have to tell
The little boy stretched out his little
thin hands, red with cold, to the glowing
fire, and said:
II work in the dyc-house, now, and
get good deal of money-a dollar a
week"
Mr.. Leonard could hardly help laugh
ing The wine he had offered the child
cost more than that.
Il come past this big window, every
night, on my way home. l shan't come
again, though. because we are going to
move away. like to look in here, be-
cause it is so warm and pleasant, and be-
cause you are sitting here, and have eyes
Ike my fathers"
what a strange child" Mr.. Leonard
was thiakng.
He was so handsome and TALL" went
on the little fellow, looking back into the
freight. He wore nice clothas, too,
like yours, and we lived In great big
house most as big as this. used to sit
next to him at the table, and he gave me
that to DRINK pointing to the wine
:" Mother would cry, sometimes, but he
would kiss her and tell her that good
wine would make me strong and hand
some. One day he went away, for long
time, aud mother cried all the time he
was gone. When he came back he struck
her, and then fell down on the floor. /
screamed, because thought be was dead.
The black man, who drove the horses,
came up stairs, aid helped mother get
him to bed. She said he was sick. lie
used to scream and fight when any one
went near him. 1t was the red wine that
made him so, mother said. And then
one night he died, and there was grand
funeral. After that, mother packed up
her things, and went to live where she
could earn some money. We have only
got two little rooms, now. Mother sews
on machine. Sometimes she cries al
night, guess"