South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-03-01
Hiss Hannah's Boy,
A NARRATIVE OF FACTS.
BY u. ii. ROWLAND,

1t was cold, dark afternoon, ard
Miss Hannah Reed drew her shawl more
closely around her as she came down
the schoolhouse steps. She was teach
er in the public school, and since her
fathers death, had found urgent need
for ali that she could earn. Miss Hannah's
strength was not great, and her work
pressed heavily, so that often when
night came she was too tired TO even
read.
Tie day had been trying one, and
Miss Hannah felt unusually weary; the
Sunday before. she had given up her
Sunday school class, because her weeks
teaching generally ended in severe
headache. Thinking over this fact. Hiss
Hannah gave an audible sigh. and said
halEaloud:
We'll, well, there is no use in my
trying to do anything but earn living :,
| have time and strength for nothing
else.
Al this moment she found herself ops
postc a locllsmith's shop,and remember
ing that she wanted key altered, en-
tered tie shop The master was out.
but pale, not very attractive looking
boy sat at work. and he said that she
could have the key by the next day. As
Miss Hannah turned 20 leave, weary
look in the boys face caught her eye,
and she said in kindly way.
DO you like this work, my lad?
The boy looked up surprised, but sec
ing look Of interest in her face, said
] timidly: Il like it pretty we'll, ma'am,
/ hnf \ 81 4 - - l.
! shut up so much.
What have you been used TO do said
| Miss Hannah.
Il lived on n farm said the boy {;
| but father didn't need us all to help him
/ so he said had better come to the city,
ard found this place.
/ do you make enough TO live on?
i only get about enough to pay my
| board, and have very little left.
/ Where do you board?
Not far from here; there are six 9th.
er fellows that board in the house.
/ What do you do in the evening? Do
| you sit with your landladyl
she don't often sit anywhere guess.
for she's working most Of the time, and
we don't say much to her, except when
we pay our bills. When I can earn an
extra fifty cents. 90 70 tho minstrels :;
lis right jolly there.
Do you ever 20 TO church?
NO maam, | don't know much about
the churches, and my clothes are no,
good enough to go.
DO you ever read?
Not much there are not many books
at our house one fellow takes n New
York paper, aud be lends me that some.
times.
IL was getting bate, and Miss Hannah.
after learning that the boys name was
Joseph steele, said pleasantly Well.
Joseph, we have had quite a talk, haven't
wc2
Then she went home bnt. as she
walked along, two voices seemed TO be
speaking TO her one voice said Here
is n iricndless boy with no GOOD infu-
ences around him, can YOU not help him
n littleT The other said L wonldn't
trouble myself about him you have
enough 20 do The Grst voice must
have been Che strongest, for the next dav.
when Miss Hannah stopped for the key.
she said to Joe
Wouldn't you like 10 90 TO sunday
school with uie next Sunday
Joe looked reflective, and said Il
don't care ouch about it, but if YOU
want me TO, ! will
i wo2H like TO nave YOU 90 once.
and see how vop like It, said Miss Han.
nah and il va will cali for ,aa at
: o'clock next SSS4ay. We will 90 to
"cthcr