Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-04-24

RED WiSE-A TRUE STORV.

| men ana women hurried along, as II ca
ger to reach comfortable homes; the
horses seemed to pull heavy wagons with
more willingness than usual. as II 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 warm and
safe at home.
All but one, perhaps. A little boy stood
on the deserted sidewalks, close to a great
window of plate glass, through which he
gazed with rapt face. The picture
which he looked at was a beautiful one.
A great room with a painted ceiling over
| head, and a 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
centre of the room. The bright light
struck through the great decanter, and
made big crimson stain on the white
hand of gentleman who sat at the table
reading 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 for long time. Then
he flung the paper down, and reached out
| the hand with the diamond for a 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 he stopped, frightened at what
he had done
"What is it my small manp"
Arthur Leonard had q pleasant smile,
which came easily to his handsome face;
bnt the child shrank back, although he
looked into the big brown eyes as If he
saw something there he had been looking
for great while.
"You came to beg, suppose P" and the
gentleman's hand went readily into his
pocket.
''Oh, no. sir, never thought of that
wanted-l mcan-please, sir, | will 60
nowP"
He moved back awkwardly, but Mr..
Leonard stopped him with gesture. The
child's face interested him. His manner
too, at first so eager. now so embarrassed.
had aroused his curiosity. f.s.
You are cold" he said, noticing that
that the child shivered and that his gar
ments were thin and poor.
lie rose, took the boy by the hand and
led him to the CRATE fire which was dane
| ing on the hearth.
"Are you hungry P' he asked 81 will
give you something to eat, and little
wine will warm you up"
"Oh, no. sir" and the child shrank fur
| ther back into big chair
You will tell me your name, at least y
"4es, sir. My name is Eddie Boynton
and am ten years DID,"
"Ah |" .H
"You will not be angry with me, sir ?"
Angry! why in the world should be
| angry with you?''
Il didn't know but you might, sir, IL l
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, red with cold, out toward the glow
| ing fire, and said:
| 81 work in the dye-house now, and get
a 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.
II come past this big window every
night on my way home. | shant come
again. though because we're going TO
move away. like to look in here because
it is so warm and pleasant, and because
you are sitting here and have eyes Just
like my fathers"
What strange child" Mr. Leonard
| was thinking.
''Iie 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 hand
some. One day he went away for long
| time, and mother cried all the time he
was gone. When he came back he struck
her, aud then fell down on the floor.
screamed, because thought him dead.
The black man, who drove the horses,
came up stairs and helped mother to get
him TO bed. She said he was sick. He
used to scream and fight ii any one went
near him. Ut was the red wine that made
him so, mother said. Aud then one night
he died, and there was great funeral.
After that mother packed up our clothes
and went to live where she could earn
some money. We've only got two little
| rooms now. Mother sews on machine.
Sometimes she cries all night, | guess
He had been talking very fast, but sud-
denly stopped.
| Mr. Leonard moved uneasily.
"This was what you wanted to tell me?"
"Yes, sir. Every time come by the
window and see you sitting here, you
make me think of my father, and l won
dered II you had any little boy at home,
and how he and his mother would feel ii
you should die of the red wine." And
then the tears came and Eddie Boynton
slid down from the big chair and stood
beside Mr.. Leonard, who had turned his
face away. Eddie wondered if the gen.
tleman was crying, too. He could not
see The big brown eyes, fo- his heed was
dropping upon his breast.
''l'm going now. sir. Mother will have
my supper all ready, and be frightened if
/ dom come" and before MIR. Leonard
reused from his painful reverie. the child