West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-11-16
THE WORK.HOUSE BOY.
Youths Companion.

The Cochran boys had just given feed
to the stock, and were at work over
books and states at the dining-room ia
BILE. The door into the kitchen was
open, and at times the dying fire would
throw sudden glow over the great bare
room and the shining tins on the wall
Every time the light flashed out. big,
uncouth body which was curled upon
the hearth moved and grunted uneasiIy.
Look at SIkeyw cried Harry.
vi, Sukew shouted Will, throwing
a book at the object on the hearth But
whatever ii 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,
Willie" said gentle voice in the
pantry, where Helen was stirring up the
bread.
The boys began to whisper, glancing
at the motionless figure on the hearth.
A month or two before, Mr.. Cochran,
finding that he needed a boy to carry
wood, feed the pigs, and help in the
stables, had gone to the county poor
house and taken thercfrom an orphan
lad some sixteen years of age.
He's no Solomon, as you may see, 4"
he said to his wife. Z" But he can do the
work well enough. 1t 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 1T was not so easy TO control the
boys. When they saw the lank, un-
gainly lad, with ragged woman's
shawl about his shivering body. they
dubbed him "Sukey" on the spot, and
thereafter they never lost chance to
torture him. They dropped their voices
10 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 il was
lighted, held it close to the lads nose
Ihe poor creature gave a wild sbriek
spTaDg to his feet, aud danced madly
about the room as Harry pursued him
with the red brand
Helen came out, her hands all covered
with -four. She was little, low-voiced
girl, with quiet but firm step. She
took the stick out of Harry's hand, and,
~ he skunk back to his lessons. went up
20 the boy.
Joseph Joseph" 4" she said, sooth-
ingly, "its only fun. The stick can't
huTt you. See, here are some cookies" "
Joseph took the cookies, and followed
Helen into the pantry, munching them
and casting yindictive glanccs in At the
boys.
I'll burn 'emw he chucklcd "Pu
burn emp
One evening not long after this, the
farmer and his wife sat on the porch.
watching Joseph's queer antics i'm the
poultry-yard. He was dancing and
talking to the chickens a. If they were
human beings.
You did not tell me that boy was an
IDIOT, said Mrs. Cochran to her hus
band, or never should have consented
70 have him i'm the house. There Is
something malignant in hiseve
Nonsense p replied the farmer.
He's perfectly harmless. II YOU had
seen the beastly den out of which !
took him, you never would have the
heart to drive him back TO il. I ann
afraid our boys torment the poor crea.
ture."
Will and Harry are as good hearted
boys as liveW said their mother. cuer-
getlcally. Just look at Will-ho
tender he always is with the baby And
dldn : Hal. risk his life when his friend
Joe fell into the water"
Mr Cochran smoked his pipe and
made no reply, though he determined