The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1878-09-19
Wante0-ABO

He had been hanging about the depot
all day-a torlorn looking youngster in
blouse suit, gingham apron, and broad
brimmed straw hat. Every now and
then he would approach . traveller and
inquire snxiously, "Want Q boy, sir p
But no one seemed to want boy. They
would glance quizzically at him, and tell
him he'd better run homo.
Poor little fellow, he held out pretty
we'll until along about night, when he
began to get very tired, and look Of
encouragement crept into bis blue eyes.
Dear me, thought to myself, wish
somebody did want boy, for it seemed
just - If some mother ought to take him
in her arms and rock him to sleep.
By and by an old farmer, in shabby
coat and slouched bat, came in and sat
down to wait for the train.
"Don't you want . boy, sirI" said the
baby voice, 90 plaintively give looked
most everywhere to-day, bot nobody
don't want none. I'd do awful good.
"What" exclaimed the farmer in sur.
prise; "you little shaver, you. Where
is your home ?"
III hain't got none. l ruined away
from where did live"
Runaway what for p
"Cause," and the tears commenced to
roll down bis cheeks, II Was used awful.
She beat me for something never did
do-beat me till the bleed coined, and
ruined. Oh, dear"
"Your ma :"
"No, haint got no nanny. She
died long ago; but che telled mol can
remember Jest - plain-I mustn't never
take what want mine, or tell what want
90; and when aunt telled me I'D got that
money, jest telled her no, hadn't
touched it. But l couldn't make her
believe il, no way, % she beat me, and
WAS awful scairt."
"Did she find out you didn't take it ?"
"Yes. When uncle came home she
telled him how wicked Id been an he
telled her it want no such thing
that he took the money hisself. He
come right up where was, an when he
seed the bleed running he felt awful.
He Jest let me out Of that place, he did
but couldn't get over it, no now, an
when they eli got asleep I climbed out
the window and ruined away in the
cars ever so far. won't never 60 back
I'D be dead first"
"WAal, wal exclaimed the old farm
er, chat Was mean. She Was an old
vixen, that aunt OF yours. I'd like to
have tho fxen OF her. What do you
think Of do,ng!"
ri am trying 10 get place to work"
allow old be you ?"
"Goin' on seven"
"You, little shaver gong on seven
years old, . thinking Of stepping out in
to the world, that's chuck full Of sin
and vice, when you ought to have ma
to put you to bed an hear you ssy your
prayers every night. You . going 70
shirk for yourse'f, an get oil black an
smut, when you ought TO be - pure - IN
angel. Not by John Robinson, If | can
help il. You jest come along home
with me, want boy, 90 does ma We
haint got none. We'll take good care
OF you. Ma went lick ye, I'll warrant
She's that tender.hearted she would not
hurt 6ea an don't look very ugly,
dol?
"You look awful good to me" sobbed
The little fellow from very JOY.
"Waai, then, chirk up. Here, I gusss
I've got . sandwich in my pocket II you
Ars hungry. It1l kinder stay your ape
lite until ws get hone. Ma u going TO
Asvs stsswbsery shorscaks for supper.
I declare, Won't che Be sieklsd TO ses ne
bsisg right smart boy 10. She oftsn
Days PA vs'd jsss b baSpy Il vs Asd
, roy Coos, 900, eAiSk sps vAiIs ]
Iell yea abeos eos ebsetGao eo1enBsee.