The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1878-12-19

room, the humanity around him; but he
fell in love with nature, the blue sky
he had never seen such an extent OF it
until now-the river waters flowing past
the island, the curves and rocks of the
near shores, and the ever varying
clouds.
He developed an aptitude for labor,
his growing skill attracting general at
tention. Had he been free, he would
have taken kindly to his task and looked
with pleasure at his handiwork, but
nothing that he did or said had the least
particle of his heart in it. His natural
disposition, kind and cheerful, was
hardening under injustice; he was thin
and white in his uniform, and cutting
his hair close to his head had deprived
him of his chief charm--his wild, elfsh
expression. His brown eyes were larger
than ever, but they were full of un-
spoken griefs and suppressed tears.
It was during working hours on the
twenty-third of December, and num-
Der of benevolent people who had
brought little gifts for the children's
Christmas festival entered the long fac
tory to see the work in progress. The
boys sat before the stocking looms, a
double row on each side of the room.
Jim, unconscious of observation,
rapidly moved his shuttle, and having
finished stocking, quickly passed it to
the boy on his right.
"That little fellow is helping his
neighbor," said the warden to one of
the visitors. "He can do more than is
required of him in the day, and the
other cannot do as much. So you see
he isn't altogether hopeless, although
put up for stealing"
"The visitor approached Jim for a
nearer inspection of the child, "not
altogether hopeless" and having watch
ed him for some minutes, said aloud:
81 cannot see how he works so rapid
~. I know I never could do it p It
was woman's sweet voice.
Jim's hands stopped as if suddenly
petrifed; for a minute his heart seemed
to cease beating; then, with all the
blood in his body rushing to his cheeks,
every nerve thrilling, Jim sprang from
his bench and stood before his kind
friend of the Fifth avenue adventure.
"Oh, don't you know me? That
bill you gave me, they said stole it,
and they put me here Oh please take
me away. want to see my mother.
The words came with the force of
pent-up torrent, dashing away all OBJ
structions. "My poor little boy !" and
Jim felt human arms around his neck as
the lady recognized him. What have
they done to you2 We have hunted all
New York for you, my poor child. Your
mother is nearly well. found her as
[ told you 1 would, and she is only
worried now about you. We would not
give you up, but I never thought of
tiuding you here. So many people are
searching for you the boys father
wants to see you and, Jim, we will go
home as quickly as possible, just
think" for Jim was crying now as if his
happiness would kill him, sin two days
Christmas will be here, and such lots of
things as will be on the tree for you."
But they had no right to send me
here |" sobbed Jim, feeling somehow
that the wrong done to him could never
lie entirely righted.
&C. know it; but my little man will
live perhaps to see some good come out
of his sorrow; for you were brave, and
you have been generous even here. So,
Jim, as you were innocent of wrong,
you can forgive those who injured you,
and then all will be so pleasant after
this, for we are always going to keep
Christmas together. "-GrapRic.