The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-12-28
PROUTY'S FORTUNE.

Onc Gay In early autumn, ITouty lay HaUnA
In the shade of hickory tree few miles from
Garnet, whittier he was travelling
He felt hungry, and therefore, low.splrlled
In general Prouty WAS happy.go.lucky fcl
low, handsome-eyed, and naturally polite, and
80 he had met uncommon favor from the com
munities through which he had travelled
Everybody would remark, Mice fellow, what
apity!"
But this morning Prouty had no breakfast
An illnaured housewife had set pack OF
dogs upon him, when he had made known his
wants at farmhouse. and he had been obliged
to walk away upon an empty stomach.
As Prouty lay DOING in the shade, there was IA
sudden flash of green and scarlet in his eyes,
and he heard girls voice: whoa, Wildtrc
Stand still, Wildfre l say"
The next moment a small black pony, with
q crimson.velvct saddle, dashcddown the prai-
RE, and little green-robed figure, its glossy
head crowned by u scarlet velvet cap, came
settling down at his very feet like a brilliant
bird tumbing from its perch with rufiied
plumage.
ats the first time in my life ] was ever
thrown from horse!" exclaimed the girl, a.
she picked herself up, disdaining the proffercd
hand
Prouty had sprung to his feet with an elias
ITCHY quite unlike his former lazy aspect. II
could catch him in minute" he said now,
eagerly, looking after the flying pony.
The girl shook her head. "When he docs
get away, we have TO let HIM run till he's ready
10 come back"
But Prouty was racing down the prairie
like an antelope; and in five minutes more Il
was over. Wildfire, out Of the corner of his
bright eye, saw his pursuer veered about and
ran in among the trees of strip of timber, and
Prouty went in after him, and quietly brought
him out and walked him back to his young
mistress.
~ ell" said the girl, this is nice I'd like
to pay you for it. Would you feel insulted f
money we're offered youy you see can't tell
from your looks whether you would or not"
Prouty turned crimson For the first time
he felt shame in thinking of the good-fornoth.
ing gypsy life he was leading.
"Me feel insulted If money were offered me-"
at length he stsmnered. "Well, yes, | be
lieve should. You don't know what am,
do you I'm glad you couldn't quite see it
ALL
work. surmised the girl, q little curiousy.
NO 4 trump" returned the boy with DIES.
perate candor
An expression Of surprise glanced through
the girls black eyes Are you q regular pro.
iessiOnal trampg" she asked, half turning from
him
A regular" said Prouty, half turning from
her in tnrn-"seeking my fortune" he added
with laugh.
Then why don't you stop somewhere and
20 to work ?'' exclaimed the girl Indignantly
"I'd be just ashamed to get my living out of
other folks! Why know girls that would
work their fingers off before they'd take a
crust of bread they didn't earn-you don't hear
Of girl trampsw
"Jes' So" said Prouty. Then after min
ate, he said it again with sort of sigh-"Jes
no."
The girl looked at Prouty keenly for mo-
ment ~ he stood against the tree, looking up
into the sky with compressed lips. After look
ing long enough, she decided that something
might he made of MIN, if a helping hand were
held out to him in the right direction.
See here, would you work if you had it to
aO?"
Don't know" said Prouty But he flashed
upon her from his handsome eyes shy, CRATE.
ful look, that strengthened the opinion she
had formed of him.
"ii you really are seeking your fortune" she
continued, Il believe ! can start you on the
road. But should want to find out first what
kind Of stuff you're made off,
"Jes So" said Prouty-but his girquestion.
VI ttuit stt MS Cdlo iduly pTICk up
II kin put myself about il at once" he nd.
ded, IN a moment.
81 live just over yonder," said she in reply,
and my name Is Frederick Hayes. They call
me Fred, for short, and that suits me, for al
ways thought l ought To he a boy"
Mounted on Wildtire, and followed by her
strange acquaintance, this queer Fred" rode
away toward u grove in which great farm.
house soon revealed itself, and about it lay the
broad rich acres owned by Mr. Hayes II was
= pleasant place, and under fine improvement
Tor one lying in the heart of a new country.
Fred was waiting for Prouty at the gate as
be came up. They walked together toward
The barn, she leading Widfre by the bride.
81 didn't tell you" she remarked, "that I'm
in business for myself, and doing we'll" I'm
der cover Of her long lashcs, Fred enjoy cd
Prouty's surprise fora few moments; then she
continued
1--WE good sized drove Of calves growing
for the market, and bought them all with
my own money"
Money your father gave you" Prouty said
quickly
No indeed beg your pardon" said Fred
proudly. II earned it keeping bees. Raised
peanuts and bought the bees Now, you've
got To tend the bees, for one thing, TO prove to
ne what kind Of stuff you're made Of
Il see. Bees sting, and that's what you
want" said Prouty with laugh
A rouglsh smile lurked around Frcd's lips
but she made no answer.
Any one whom their Independent, mo non.
sense Fred chose 10 introduce, always met
kind reception from Mr. and Mrs HAYES, and
Prouty was allowed to remain upon the farm
Is Ffed's assistant, and she paid him day wa
res from her own purse.
Fred's apiary WAS quite extensive, and the
,are of ii occupied "a considerable porliOi Of
ler Time. AT this season the bees were swarm
NJ, aud there was honey Ia he taken up. Fred
moved seienely in and out among the hiycs
aS though she were Il queen bee
lut Prouty's experience proved severe He
lad moi understand the art of pacitying the ic
'ocious insects, and goaded by the loss of hon
y they poured on him, instead of Miss Fred,
lie violence of their wrath Prouty's face and
hands were pierced with stings. But he held
steadily To his work, surprising his obseryani
mistress 10y his icnaclty. But sic said not II
SouI about MS fortune rs vet
hon In iana !