The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-05-15
Barb'ry Tom.
lie stood and looked at her.

lie stood and looked at her.
Mabel Freeman was evidently a new
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 SHOW, with soft brown hair
and tender brown eyes, with her rather tall,
slender figure, she affected "Barb'ry Tom"
even us Il 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 us "Barbcrry Tom" or, more
correctly, "Barb'ry Tom" He daily
hawkcd 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 magnctical-
ly attracted toward him.
"Don't you want to buy any barb'ries 2"
he said, hcsitatingly, and dropping his eyes
as the blue morning glory hung its petals
over him.
s'Tcll him wo don't want to buy any
barbrics to-day" screamed voice within,
sharp as if there had been a lifetime of
filing to make its edge rs disagrccably fine
as possible.
''sorry, said the young lady; "but-but,
perhaps, if YOU will come another day, we
may want some then" Her voice was 80
kind and musical that Tom wished he had
something else to bc refused, so he could
hesr Ler again.
'ihank YOU"
Mabel laughed "What do you thank
me tor7"
"Why, folks amt always 80 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 gathcrer of
Flora's red coral, slung his basket upon his
arm and slowly went down the lawn path.
'Thcrc !" said Mabel, in a minute.
"What did let that boy go away for7 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-
mcnt."
Tom looked around, and then stepped
back. 49,.
81 have come here to spend the autumn,
and have started a Sunday school class in
our house. Wouldn't you like to Join it ~
TOMS eyes flashed like diamonds with a
light behind them.
"Whcn will 1t be, miss 2"
"NcXt Sunday afternoon, at two"
''I will come. I amt been since father
and mother died. Granny and the children
needed mo so much couldn't spare the
time to take the long walk to church; but
/ can come here"
"Do come, then |" and Mabel said the
''do'' like 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 q
musical instrument where some Of the keys
are broken, and yet a skillful hand can find
and bring out notes Of sweetness and ten.
dcrness. TOMS soul responded In that way
roughncss of manner He showed in a still
more marked degree at home the kindness
and self sacrifice native to him. He became
prayerfu, st,ldions of Gods Word, and
used revcrently tho day once given to fish.
ing in his odd moments. Tom was faith.
full attendant at Mabel's school,. And Ma.
bel was faithful visitor at TOMS home.
She chccrcd up the blind old granny, giving
her look out upon the world through 'hel
own bright eyes. Mabel had travelled &
good deal, and her memory was gallery
Of scenes worth looking at She gave tho
children better clothes, mended the tori
curtains, and hung pictures on the dull
walls
An interesting conversation happened one
day in Mr.. Frccmarl's house. #H
81 think ought to toll Mabel, observed
Mr.. Freeman.
''Tcll her about her family9" asked thu
same voice we have already noticed, ant
that the years had filed down to knife-likt
sharpness. I'D
"Yes, ought to tell her. Mabel is no
really our child, although legally adopted
True, she knows no other parents; but ther
hero we are, after our long stay In Europe
near tho home we took her from He
brothers and sisters have grown up sine,
her adoption, or have come into the worlt
after that date. She don't know abou
them, or thoy about her. Her old granny
is bliud and can't indentlfy her features
Still, think had better tell her how It Is
or shc may find 1t out In on unpleasant way
think she sometimes suspects she 10 no
our child. j ought to havo told her lonI
time ago.
III should hate 10 have the low thing
from that home running over me, y squeale'
. ' IT.