The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1879-05-29
Barb'ry Tom.
He stood and looked at her.


creation to Tom. In morning wrapper Of
blue, that set off her fair complexion some
what as the azure of the sky contrasts with
the white of the snow, with soft brown hair
and tender brown eyes, with her rather tall,
slender figure, she affected 'Barb'ry Tom
even as flower that suddenly springing out
of the ground and blooming at once into an
unusual beauty would challenge all our
admiration
And she stood and looked at him. He
was known as 'Barbeny Tom, !" or, more
correctly, 'Barb'ry Tom" He daily
hawked about the red clusters of wild fruit
now piled up in his basket. This stout,
sturdy boy was about fifteen. His clothes
were rough, his feet were bare. And yet,
from the very moment the young lady at
the door saw TOMS eyes, darker than hers,
but like them in their tenderness, with a
complexion as fine naturally, only turned
up to the sun too long, she was magnetical-
ly attracted toward him.
''Don't you want to buy any barb'ries ~
he said, hesitatingly, and dropping his eyes
as the blue morning-glory hung its petals
over him.
''Tell him we don't want to buy any
barb'ries to-day" screamed a voice within,
sharp as if there had been lifetime Of
filing 60 make its edge as disagreeably fine
as possible.
''SoTy, " said the young lady; "but-but,
perhaps, if you will come another day, we
may want some then" Her voice was so
kind and musical that Tom wished he had
something else to be refused, so he could
hear her again.
'Thank you"
Mabel laughed "What do you thank
me for2"
"Why, folks amt always SO kind in
their way. I'd rather have some folks step
on me than have others pick me up. They
would step on me so kind, you know. But
don't believe you'd step on anybody"
Mabel laughed again at these compliment
tary remarks. Tom, this gatherer of
Flora's red coral, slung his basket upon his
arm and slowly went down the lawn path.
'There !" said Mabel, in minute
"What did let that boy go away for2 l
like him. might have him in my Sunday
school class"
Down the path she flew, gracefully as a
blue bird. 'Look here, please one mo-
ment.
Tom looked around, and then stepped
back.
81 have come here to spend the autumn,
and have started Sunday school class in
our house. Wouldn't you like to Join it 2"
Toms eyes flashed like diamonds with a
light behind them.
"When will it be, miss 7"
"Next Sunday afternoon, at two"
81 will come. l amt been since father
and mother died. Granny and the children
needed me so much couldn't spare the
time to take the long walk to church; but
can come here" d"
"DO come, then !" and Mabel said the
"do" like a bobolink making his sweetest
whistle.
So "Barb'ry Tom" came to Mabel's
school, 1t was noticeable what change
took place in him. Toms soul was like a
musical instrument where some of the keys
are broken, and yet a skillful hand can find
and bring out notes of sweetness and ten
derness. Toms soul responded in that way
to Mabel's touch. He dropped a certain
roughness Of manner. He showed in still
more marked degree at home the kindness
and self sacrifice native to him. He became
prayerful, studious of Gods Word, and
used reverently the day once given to fish
ing in his odd moments. Tom was faith
full attendant at Mabel's school. And Ma
bel was a faithful visitor at Toms home
She cheered up the blind old granny, giving
her look out upon the world through her
own bright eyes, Mabel had Travelled a
good deal, and her memory was gallery
of scenes worth looking at. She gave the
children better clothes, mended the torn
curtains, and hung pictures on the dull
walls.
An interesting conversation happened one
day in Mr.. Freeman's house.
81 think ought to tell Mabel, observed
Mr.. Freeman.
"Tel her about her family n" asked the
same voice we have already noticed, and
that the years had filed down to knife-like
sharpness
"Yes, i ought to tell her Mabel is not
really our child, although legally adopted.
True, she knows no other parents but then
here we are, after our long stay in Europe,
near the home we took her from Her
brothers and sisters have grown up since
her adoption, or have come into the world
after that date. She don't know about
them, or they about her. Her old granny
is blind and can't indemnity her features.
Still, / think had better tell her how II is,
or she may find 1t out in an unpleasant way.
| think she sometimes suspects she Is moi
our child. ought to have told her long
time ago"
~ should hate 10 have the low thingl
from that home running over me, squealed