The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1879-11-07

"Hes coom," said the boy
"Where is he? wants him"
Hes on the bed and can't coom."
"Hey droonk agin, ma doubt"
mo, mother, he's not droonk; will yer look
at him?"
"What he's sick ?" she cried, starting
up.
"Yis."
Help me up, yer brat; &c me yer hand"
Jim helped her up.
"Achl l kin but jes wurk leetle drap,
that's a, that's a"
The strange pair moved slowly up to the
bed: The dingy kerosene lamp gave out fee
| bic light but light sufficient to see the blood
trckling down into the red pool on the
| floor
| Run for the women in the neighborhood,
| quick" said to Jim, but he hesitated.
| Maybe they won't COON" said he, "they
never does"
"Tell them will give them money Co."
Pretty soon, herd of creatures, undeserv-
| ing OF the name of women, came crowding in
with loud laughter and coarse words, and the
| coroner was with them. AS he seemed a per-
| son of much consequence, left q sum of
money with him sufficient to defray the funer-
al expenses, and went on my journey.
Five years passed, and found me in the
| neighborhOod of Mauch Chunk, finishing q
term of school which a friend began, but,
| through illness was obliged to give it up
The school house stood in lonely place, two
| miles from any house, built in an out-ofway
| place because the land was given by rich
| resident of the town. One night when was
sitting alone in the school room, / heard faint
| rap at the door.
Come in" said, wondering what fault
| the parents could have with me now. The
door opened and in came tall, thin boy, with
| a mass of towcolored hair and deep violet
eyes-eyes once seen, never forgotten.
"Jimr'
He smiled his rare sweet smile.
I'm glad you reckerlected me, boss; 'trint
| often sees the likes on yer. I've been hang
| in round for II week but l couldn't get a
| chance to speak to you, sides l was fraid yer
might be sorter stuck up like"
Sit down, Jim, and tell me about your
self"
"'Taint much to tell" he said in Ia depreca-
tory tone. "NIam took her own life soon ar
ter dads smash up. She had the tremens,
but she want 'sponsible, the parson said
Then Marin Becker TUX me and she moved
up here. She boards some men and does
the chores"
Its pity, Jim, you can't get something
better to do. You will let me help you, will
you not?"
His face frightened.
Yer say yerll do somethin' fur me?"
with all my heart. You can come to my
lodgings and / will get some clothes for YOU"
NO, no. said he, blushing fiery red. II
amt no bcggar, sir"
"What can do?" said |, impatientlv.
81 thought-no, well, | kinder sorter
wish yerd-"
long pause
Teach me little"
He retreated to the door as if were going
to strike
"Ofccourse will, my boy. Well begin this
very night
Then begun Jims education. Night after
| night he poured over his books and in
wonderful short time he learned to read
Then L followed with arithmetic and gram
mar, and used to read to him of great men
and their noble deeds. His favorites were
Franklin and Washington, especially the
former
he were poorer than me, but want he
splendid" Jim would say, with glowing
cheeks
The winter passed; March came, and the
school was finished, but jim and continued
the lessons, as the mine survey that | was TO
take charge of would not begin for a month.
One day he came in with bright face.
Jest think, Boss, I've got good situation,
an IL get money, toOT
Whats the situation, JIM" said |, handing
him chair. He perched gingerly on the
end of it, folding his arms in way that re-
minded me of the night in the tumble-d down
hut by the canal
Its mule-driver on the canal" said he
proudly, 81 gifts dollar week, an my Wet
uals"
81 am very glad, said |, wishing | could do
something for this Independent mite, but he
always refused my offers. How will you get
on with your lessons?"
81 kin study on the track when Pm driyin'
and evenins too"
This was the last talk, for he departed for
Philadelphia early next morning. The mine
| was going to survey was very pleasantly
situated; in fact, the only drawback was the
character of the miners, who included in their
| number some "Mollies"
| had the misfortune to offend one of these
| men, knocking him down for striking his
| child. 1t was done in the street, and he gave
| the poor girl such brutal blow that my
| blood boiled. He cursed me and muttered
| threats, which often would occur to me as
walked through the quiet streets at dusk
| smoking my evening cigar.
One night l took q row on the river, row.
| ing in all the curves and inlets. | found one
| which ran into green meadow. l followed
1t up. Judge my surprise. For sitting on
rock near the river was Jim, figuring sums
| with piece of charcoal on board his
arithmetic lay beside him and he occasionally
| glanced at it,
81 can't git this ere sum, nohow," he said
with a sigh
| II think can help you" said l. My boat
had come up so softly, and he was so deeply
interested, that my arrival was q complete
surprise. We had a long talk
1--WE give up drivin', and come here with
Marin Beckers son. Pm goin' ter work in
the mine. He says there is things kin do"
"Where do you stay?"
cover to the mems boarding house. don't
like il" he said seeing l looked grave; "but
l hcz ter like it, if1 do or not"
Come to my rooms when you have time"
said |, as we parted, and will read you some
| more about Franklin, your old favorite"
"You kin depend on me-" he said
| Every time | went down the mine, fam
cied there were ugly looks on the faces of
the men, looks directed as much towards the
| overseer as myself. He was a conceited fell
low and thought the miners low as dirt beneath
his feet. But he was pleasant companion,
and we used to enjoy ourmine survey, which
was generally done at night, when the miners
were out. Finally, my work was done. l
had only one night more and was very glad,
for though my presentiment of evil had not
been realized | was still uneasy, An hour
before we went down was sitting alone in
my room, watching the evening shadows fall
ing softly over the mountains, when little
hand was laid on my shoulder
"Well Jim?"
as there any one in here?" he whispered
mo one" said |, startled at his pale face.
"Then kin speak. Put yer head here
The men are goin' to shoot yer and the over
| cppr whom ypr unnc in, tho NINA IN, ,,;,rbt