The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1879-01-02


was quite, too, overwhelmed to hav'
answered them had they been pat t.
him. -. -
The sitting van WAS finally ozchang
ed for the crowded boat, and jim
spirits rallied little in the pure air
and the view Of the buildings on th'
island excited his curiosity. Their ex
terror immensity was to him wonderful
but far more ,so were the narrow limit
of the interior. e..
The forced habits of order and clean
illness were like shackles on his limbs
even the food was tasteless. When HI
Thought of bis riother aud his ute
powerlessness to get to her, he burned
and shooks with rage, end then, to com
fort him, would come tie memories O
his last free day. The walk up brigh
Btoaoway, the gay throngs of happy
free people, the horses, the wagon he
had, pushed out of danger, the kline
voice questioning him about his moth
er, the lovely money given him tor her
the nice beef but here Jim's pleasant
thoughts would reach point, beyond
which all was despair and passionate de-
sires of revenge.
He developed an aptitude for labor
his growing skill attracting general at
tention. Had he been free, he would
have taken kindly to his task and look
ed with pleasure at his handiwork, but
nothing that lie did or said had the
least particle OF his heart III it. His
natural disposition, kind and cheerful,
was hardening under injustice; lie was
thin and white in his uniform, and cut.
ting his hair close to his head had de-
priveG him of his chief charm. his
wild, elfish expression. His Brown eyes
were larger than ever, but they were
full of unspoken griefs and suppressed
tears.
1t was during working hours, on the
2Sd Of December, and number of
benevolent people who bad brought lit =
tie gifts for the children's Christmas
Festival entered the long factory to see
the work in progress. The boys sat be :
fore their stookingsloQms, 6 double row
en- each side of the room.
jim, unconscious Of observation rap
idly moved his shuttle, and, having fin
ished a stocking, quickly passed it to
the 10y on his right.
THAT little fellow is helping his
neighbor," said the Warden to one of
the 7isitors. "He can do more than Is
required of him in day, and the other
can not do SO much. So you see he
isn't altogether hopeless, although pt:t
up for stealing" 80 f..
The visitor. approached jim ior C
F.eerer inspection, OF Che child, mot al :
together hopeless" and having watch
ed him tor some minutes, said aloud:
''I can not see how lie wGrEs Sc ran>
idly. | know never could do it!' 1t
waa ,wonan's sweet voice.
Jin's hands stopped as il Suddenly
petrifeG for minute his heart seemed
to cease beating, then, with al The
blood il his body rushing TO his cheeks,
every nerve thritllug. Jim spfang from
his bench aud stood before his kind
friend of the Fifth Avenue adventure.
20 don't you know me2 That bill
you gave me, they said ! stole it, and
they put Ae here! O please take me
away, want to see my mother!''
The words came with the force of a
pent-up torrent. dashlng away all
obstructiops. "My poor little boy!'
and Jim felt human arms around his
neck as. the lady recognized him.
"What have they done to you? We
have hunted all over New York for
you, my poor child. Your mother is
nearly we'll. found her as l told you
I would, and she is only worried now
about you, We wpuld not give You up,
but 1 never thought of finding You
here. So many people are searching
for you; the bcy's father wants to see
you; and, Jim, we will go home as
quickly as possible. just think" for
Jim was crying now as if his happiness
would kill him. Sin two days Christmas
will be here. and such lots OF things as
will be on the tree for you"
"But they had no right to send me
here!" sobbed Jim, telling somehow
that the wrong done to him could never
be entirely righted. ~"
II know it, but my little man will
live perhaps to see some good come out
of his sorrow; for you were brave and
you have been generous even here. So,
Jim, as you were innocent of wrong,
you can forgive those who injured you.
and then all will he SO pleasant sfter
this, for we are always going to keep
Christmas together.
"Git Used to Porerty."
A lonesome boy, about nine years OF
age, sat on tie City Hall steps, count
ing over his coppers. when another boy
came up, and asked: =. :
,,Jim. can't ye lend me five oents?'
"Coulden't think of it," was the
reply.
"How much ye got?"
"Three cents"
"Well, lend me one, then
"Could't do it," -.
why not, Jim-hain't allurs biz
like father to yep
Eyes, but the moro man has the
more he wants. they say, snd I'm Just
that way" ri.p~'
"But jim, don't you know the old say
ing that bread cast uron the water vii
return to the caster?'' a.. =
Eyes I've heard of it; but when
walk along and smell roast chestnuts