Middletown transcript., 1877-03-31
Srlett gtorp.
Lottie's Walk to Boston.

IL was y ClOck iu tue morning. d
the roadside sat little child. A rougi
looking man came driving slowly BY
He had red hair, thick red beard, ant
light blue eyes, so light that theJ
seemed almost white.
The man was nearly at bis journey 3
end, but something in the child's face
attracted his attention. Perhaps il
was because be had a little girl in bis
rough home that be had left few hours
ago, and the pitifal expression in this
young face touched bis father-heart
Almost instinctively he stopped bis
tired horse and looked down upon her.
He saw that she was pretty. Her large
dark eyes were raised fearlessly. Her
little blue check sun bonnet had fallen
to her shoulders, and the thick, fat,
brown curls we're pastered on her fore
head by the perspiration caused by
walking in the sun
Presently a clear, musical vsice
reached his ear
lis Boston very far off, now 2"
my next stopping place, puss. Are
you going to Boston? There's only
the long bridge, way yOnder, to cross
and you're there "
The child drew long sigh of relief.
"I'm SO tired, she said "Guess I'll
rest little longer
Where did ye come from p asked
the drover.
"'Way from Thornville," mentioning
a town about twelve miles off and she
lifted her old sun-bonnet to its proper
place. and tied the strings
The drover took bis basket which
was filed with crackers and ham and
cheese, and as the place happened to be
somewhat secluded, he clambered down
from the high wagon, and seated him
self beside the child.
Hungry 2" be asked
"Yes. sir, said she. simply.
"Then eat; :" and he filed her hands
with crackers. $50 you're going to
Boston-such a mite as you? Well,
we'll !"
"Im going to DR.. Iris. Do you
know him r queried the girl eagerly.
He lives on fremont street, and be
fxes peoples eyes. That's all be does
do One Of the neigbbors told my
mother about it, and she said he almost
makes the blind see. / walked all the
way from Thornville.
"You walked ?"
Eyes, sir"
"When did you set out ?"
Yesterday, inthe afternoon. Mother
thinks spent the night at Cousin Sa-
rah's, and l did mean to, because
wanted her to 60 With me; but she was
sick. SO I came right on"
"Whswl Walked from there, eh -? |
Where did you spend the night 2"
"In balm /"
"What ? In barn? Well, you're
one of 'em. You mother must hev
sight of faith in you"
20. she don't know it. mean she
don't know I've come all this way. l
stay sometimes at Cousin Sarah's. And
there's Betty at home-shs's my sister
and though she is lame, she can do
good bit; but | couldn't bear to see
mother suffer so.
''If that don't beat all p exclaimed
the drover, after long stare Of admi-
ration. "She's the pluckiest little crit
fer ever l did see. Well, all l hope is
that you may do what you come for
but don't know. DR. Iris, I suppose,
is one Of them rich fellers that want big
fees"
"But 1 don't want him to come for
nothing" said the child.
Don't r.
mo: I'll pay him when am grown
up"
"Well. that's too good !" he roared.
Pm blessed if ever l saw anything SO
iunny in all my born days A kitten
ike you talking about paying when
you're grown up How old may you
be now, Miss-Miss"
"My names Lottie, and I'm 9 next
Nay" said the child with series man
ler, and nothing daunted by bis air of
unused interest.
"Well, we'll. I never!" muttered the
lrover, raising and stretching bis Draw
y frame "But come, I'll give you a
ide as far as Boston, any way J" and
be next moment he lifted her, as if she
lad been feather, and placed her on
he seat besi1e him.
So they logged along behind the staid
Id horses. while the man pointed out
be sights Everything was novel and
delightful to the little woman. The
Ong bridge, the sparkling water, the
essels, and sail-b boats, and steam-tugs,
he CLINT of the sun upon the river. the
ne carriages that rolled past them.
Everything she saw she treasured, that
he might carry the picture home fresh
D her mother, aud beguile the long,
ark painful hours with the story of