The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1877-05-25
RED UINE.
A TRUE STORY WELL TOLD.

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 knew
that the days work was over, and enjoyed
the prospect of rest. The lamp-lighters
were going their rounds, and trying To- make
up for the lost daylight. Little children
were safe and warm ut home.
All but one, perhaps. 4 little boy stood
on the deserted sidewalk, close - a great
window of plate glass, through which he
gazed with wrapt face. The picture which
he looked at was Il painted ceiling over
head, and a chandelier which seemed to
make real sunshine. The walls were COW
cred with fine paintings. \ marble table,
heaped with delicious food, stood hear the
centre Of the room. The bright light struck
through the great decanter, and made Il big
crimson stain on the white hand of Il gen
tleman who sat at the table reading a news
paper. A large diamond ring on one fin
ger seemed 10 wink and blink at the little
boy outside. ~ wish lie would look up,
the child was thinking.
But though he waited and watched. the
man did not move for a long time. Iheu
he flung the paper down, and reached ouu
the hand with the diamond for wine
glass, which he filed, and drank, never
once looking toward the window.
''Plcase, sir
That was all the boysaid lie had step
ped from the stree; INTO the wide hall :;
then, without stopping to knock, he had
opened the door which leo into the gent le-
mans room. On the threshold OF the
saloon he stopped, frightened ut what lie
had done.
'sWhat is it, my small man ?'
Mr.. Arthur Leonard had pleasant
IL l.,
face but the child ohIauk back, although
lie looked into the big brown eyes as if he
saw something there lie had been looking
for great while.
You came to beg, l suppose" and the
pentlemau'S 5 hand went readily into his
pocket.
''Oh, no sir I never thought Of that |
wanted-I mean- please sir, will go now"
lie moved back awkwmdly, 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.
You are cold, ne said, noticing that
the child shivered aud that his garments
were thin and poor.
lie rose took the boy 10y the hand and
led him to the CRATE ii e which was dane
ing on the hearth-a blg, jolly fire which
seemed trying to light up the room aud
bright it was.
Mr.. Leonard did not seem to think it
queer for a poor little boy with patched
clothes to sit in one of the crimson satin
arm chairs big enough Cor throne. lie
drew up one for hin self opposite.
care you hungry?' he asked. Il will
give you something to eat, and little WINE
will warm you up,
s'Oh, no sin and the child shrank fur
tbnr b.cLy int, 10 liJ chair
"You will tell me your name at least?'
eyes sir. My name is Eddie Boynton,
and am ten years old"
"Ah?'
Mr.. Leonard was smiling now, as lie saw
the boys courage coming back.
''You VIII not be angry with me, sli y
Angry why in the world should L be
angry with you q
II didn't know but you might, sir, II 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 the cold, on: toward the
glowing fire, and said:
Il work IN the dye-house now, and [
get good deal of mouey, a dollar week.
Mr. Leonard could hardly help laugh
ing, The wine lie had offered the chlld
cost more than that.
Il come past this big window every
night on my way hone. | shan't come
again, though, because we're going to move
away like to look in here, because 1t is
so warm and pleasant, and because you are
sitting here and have eyes just like my
father's.'
"What strange child - Mr.. Leonard
was thinking.
.sfIe was so handsome and tall, went
on the little fellow, looking back into the
freight. "Iie wore nice clothes. too, like
yours and we lived in a 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. moth
er would cry sometimes, but he would kiss
her, and tell her that good wine would
make me strong and handsome. One day
he went away for long time, and mother