Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-05-09
Tht family CirtIe.
Red Wine..A True Story.

lieu Wlnes-A True SUOTys
1t was growing dark in the city streets
men and women hurried along, as if cage
10 reach comfortable homes; the horse
seemed to pull heavy wagons with NOR
willingness than usual, us if they, too
knew that the days work was over, ant
enjoyed the prospect of rest The lamp
lighters were going their rounds, ant
trying to make up for the lost daylight
Little children were safe and warm a
home.
All but one, perhaps. A little boy stooC
on the deserted sidewalk. close to II grea
window of plate glass, through which h
gazed with u rapt face. The picture whicl
ne looked ut was beautiful one. A grea
room with painted sealing overhead
and great chandelier which seemed t.
make real sunshine. The walls were GOV
cred with fine paintings. A marble table
heaped with delicious food, stood near thu
centre of the room. The bright ligh
struck through the great decanter, anC
made big crimson stain on the Whit
hand of gentleman who sat ut the table
reading newspaper. A large diamond
ring on one finger seemed to wink ant
blink at the little boy outside. l wish he
would look up! the child was thinking.
But though he waited and watched, thu
man did not move for long time. Their
he flung The paper down, and reached ou
the hand with the diamond for u win,
glass, which he filled and drank, never
once looking toward the window.
Please, sir"
That was all the boy said. lie hat
stepped from the street into the wide hall
then without stopping to knock, he hat
opened the great door which led into the
yentleman's room. On the threshold o
he saloon he stopped, frightened at whn
he had done.
What is it, my little man?"
Arthur Leonard had II pleasant smile
which came easily to his handsome face
but the child shrank back, although he
looked into the big brown eyes as if he
saw something there he had been locking
for II great while.
You come to beg, | suppose?' and
the gentleman hand went readily into his
pocket.
Oh, no, sir, | never thought Of that
| .wanted-I mean-pleaSe, sir, l will
90 now"
He moved back awkwardIy, but Mr.. Leon
ara stopped him with IL gesture. Ihe
rhild's face interested him. His manner
100, at first so eager, now so embarrassed
had aroused his curiosity.
q" You are cold" he said, noticing thai
he child shivered and that his garment,
were thin and poor.
He rose, took the boy by the hand and
led him to he CRATE fire which was dane
ing on the hearth-a big, jolly fire, which
seemed trying to light up the room
and make The chandelier notice hoy III
md bright it WAS.
Mr.. Leonard did not seem to think i
queer for II 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.
care you hungry?" he asked. 81 will
give you something to eat, and u little
wine will warm you up"
ooh, no. sir" and the child shrank fur
Their back into big chair.
you will tell me your name, at least9"
"Yes. sir. My name is Eddie Boynlon
and am ten years old"
Ali"
Mr., Leonard was smiling now, as he
saw the bows courage coming back
You will not be angry with me, sir?''
"Angry! why in the world should I be
angry with vou?"
Al didn't know but YOU might, sir. if ]
said what | wanted to-
Never fear, Eddie, am anxious to
know what YOU have TO tell me-"
The little boy stretched his little thin
hands. rel with cold, out toward the glow
inc fire, and said:
{" | work in the dive. house now, and pct
IL GOOD deal of money-a dollar a weeks
Mr.. Leonard could hardly HELM nuoh.
inc. The wine he had offered the child
cost more than that.
81 come past this bio window every
night on nv way home. | shan't come
AGAIN. though. because we're poino tn
move away. / like to look in here because
it is so warm and pleasant, and becnns,
Won are sitting here and have ewes inst like
inv f,ther's,n
What n strange child! Mr.. Leonard
was thinking.
=" He was so handsome and tall" went
on the little fellow, looking back into the
freight. ale wore nice clothes, too
like yonrs: and we lived in n great bio
house. most as bip ms this nsed IN eit
next to him at the table, and he cave NE
that to drink" pointing to the wine.
glass. Mother would CRY sometimes
but he would kiss her, and tell her that
GOOD wine would make me strong md
Handsome. One day he went away fnr q
Iong lime. and mother cried all the lima
he was zone. When he came hack he
struck her, and then FIJI down IN the aonr
| screamed, because | tbouobt he was
dead The black man who drnve tbo
horses. came up stairs and helped mother
to oct him TO bed. She said he was sirE
He nsed to scream and fioht if anv , ono
went near him. II was the rrd wine hat
made him 60. mother snid And ,hen nna
NIGHT he died and there was n oreat Innn.
n1 After that mother hacked nm onr
clothes and went to live where she conId
earn some money. We've only cot two
little rooms now. Mother sews on ~ ma
chine Sometimes she cries aIl nicbt !
Guess Wv =
He had been talking vcrv FIST bpt stornod
=, . - ~ ' S'OPPNN