The Newtown bee., 1878-08-08
gfterature.
The WOrk-HOuSe Boy.

The Cochran boys had just given feed to the stock, and were at work over books and states at the dining-room table. The door into the li.chcn was open, and at times the dying fire would throw sudden glow over Che great bare room and the shining tlnts on tn" wall. Every time the light flashed out, big, uncouth body which was curled upon the hearth moved and grunted uneasily.
 Look at Sukey!" cried Harry.
 "Yi, Sukc!" shouted Will, throwing a book at the object on the hearth. But whatever it was, it did not move.
 He don't mind thumps. Got too many at the work-house," said Will.
 Better go on with your sums, Will Ic," said a gentle voice in the pantry where Helen was stirring up the Tread.
 The boys began to whisper, glancing at the mOtionless figure on the hearth.
 A month or two before, MT. Cochran, finding that he needed a boy to carry wood, feed the pigs, and help ill the stables, had gone to the county poor house and taken thcrcfrom an orpha lad some sixteen years of age.
 Hes no Solomon, as you may see, " he said to his wife. But he can do the work well enough. It is a charity to bring him out of that wretched den and give him enough to eat. Don't let the boys tease him."
 But it was not so easy to control the boys. When they saw the lank, ungain- ly lad, with ragged, we mln's shawl about his shivering body, they dubbed II In "Sukey" on the spot; and thereaf- ter they never lost chance to torture him. They dropped their voices 10 a whisper now, lest Helen, their sister, should hear them.
 He's mortally afraid of fire" said Harry, rising softly; "now hear him yell"
 He crept into the kitchen, thrust a stick into the fire, and when it was ligh- ted, held it close to the lads nose. The poor creature gave wild shriek, sprang to his feet, and danced wildly about the room as Harry pursued him with the red brand.
 Helen came out, her hands all covered with flour. She was lit le, low-voiced girl, with quiet but firm step. She took the stick out of Harry's hand, and, as he slunk back 10 his lessons, went uI to the boy.
 "Joseph Joseph" she said, 90 ,th, ingly, tits only fun. The stick cant hurt you. See, here arc some cookies. Joseph took the cookies, and followed Helen into the pantry, munching then and casting vindictiye glances in at the boys.
 "TIl burn 'em!" he chuckled. "Il burn 'cm! :"
 One evening not long after this tho farmer and his wife sat on the porch watching Joseph's queer antics in the poultry yard. He was dancing anC talking to the chickens as if they wore human beings.
 You did not tell me that boy was al idiot" said Mrs. Cochran to her hus band, GOT never should have consent ed to have him in the house. There is something malignant in his eye."
 "Nonsense!" replied the farmer "He's perfectly harmless. If you hat seen the beastly den out of which tool him, you never would have the heart tt drive him back to it. I am afraid oul boys torment the poor creature.
 Twill and Harry are as good-hear' co boys as live!" said their n othe', ener getically. Just look at Will-hov tender he always is with the babyl Ant didn't Hal risk his life when his frie lC Joe fell into the water?"
 i MT. Cochran smoked his pipe ant made no reply, though he determined that he would keep close watch on his boys, for he was really man of tendel feelings.
 "They don't know how their teasin hurts that poor wretch" he said to him self. He is only grown-up baby ] But the boys kept their pranks care fully hidden. Before their parents they were kind enough to Sukey. but out ol their sight they leset m with terrors day and night. Lions roared at him from dark corners; fiery devils blazed on the wall over his bed; gibbering ghosts in white sheets moved about in his lonely garret.
 Helen stood between the lad and his tormentors; but she did not guess at the extent of their mischief. One day she met Sukey coming from the barn carrying dark-lantern and a Luifalo