The Hickman courier., 1877-06-01

For Pesgy 5 the rooster. and DICK Is tue hen
Iie,I Wine-4 True Story.
1t was growing dark in the city streets;
men and women hurried along. as if
eager to reach comfortable homes; the
horses seemed to pull heavy wagons with
more Willingness than usual, as if they,
too, knew that the days work was over,
and enjoyed the prospect of rest. The
lamplighters were going their rounds,
and trying to make up for the lost day
light. Little children were safe and
warm at home.
All but one, perhaps. 4 little boy
stood on the deserted sidewalks, close to
great window of plate glass, through
which ne gazed with rapt face. The
picture which he looked at was a beauti-
ful one. 4 great room with painted
ceiling overhead, and a chandelier which
seemed 10 make real sunshine. The
walls were covered with fine paintings.
\ marble table, heaped with delicious
food, stood near the centre of the room.
The bright light struck through the
great decanter, and made big crimson
stain on the white hand of q gentleman
who sat st the table reading newspaper.
\ large diamond ring on one finger
seemed TO wink and blink at the little
boy outside. q wish he would looI,
up" the child was thinking.
But though he waited and watched,
the man did not move for a long time.
Then he flung the paper down, and
reached out the hand with the diamond
for q wine glass, which he filled and
drank, never once looking toward the
window.
'PI lease, sir"
That was all the boy sail. 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 he stopped,
frightened at what he had done.
g What is it, my small man ?"
Arthur Leonard had 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 lock-
ing for great while.
''You come to beg, 1 suppose ?" anI
the gentleman's hand went readily into
his pocket.
"Oh, no, sir, l never thought of that
Il wsnted-I mean-PIease, sir, | will
so ROW."
He moved back awkwardly, but Mr.
Leonard stopped him with a gesture.
The child's face interested him. His
manner too, at fret so eager, now so en-
barrassed, had aroused his curiosity.
s.You are cold" he said noticing that
the child shivered, and that his garments
were thin and poor.
He rose, took the boy by the hand and
led him to the grate-fre which was dane
ing on the hearth-a big, jolly fire, which
seemed trying to light mp the room and
make the chandelier notice how big and
bright it was.
Mr.. Leonard did not seem to think it
queer for 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" he asked. 81
will give you something to eat, and a
little wine viii warm you up"
"Oh, no, sir" and the child shrank
further back into the big chair.
You will tell me your name, at
least -
" Yes, sir My name is Eddie Boyn-
ton, and am ten years old
"Ahw Mr. Leonard was smiling now,
as he saw the boys courage coming backs
You will not be angry with me, sir?'
Angry why in the world should 1
be angry with you %
81 didn't know but you might, sir, if
said what / wanted to-"
Never fear, Eddie, / am anxious to
know what you have to tell. "
The little boy stretched his little thin
hands, red with cold, out toward the
glowing fire, and said:
a work in the dye house now, and
get good deal of money-a dollar
week"
Mr.. Leonard could hardly help laugh
ing. The wine he had 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're 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
Just like my fathers.
"What a strange child" Mr.. Leonard
was thinking.
@He was so handsome and tall, went
on the little fellow, looking back into
the freight. He wore nice clothes,
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
glass. "Mother would cry sometimes,
but he would kiss her, and tell her that
GOOD wine would make me strong and
handsome. One day he vent away for a
long time, and mother cried all the time
he was gone. When he came back he