The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1880-08-26
MY HERO.

a N'n give il up-that fiy
WIN get what ne IL nrememeer. 1n,,..,-,,,, :
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NV HERO
For many years we bought our but
ter, milk and eggs at the Deacon
Witheridge Farm When 1 was ten
years old my grandmother thought that
might be trusted to go for the milk,
warning me, as set out, that was to
hold the pail we'll away from me and
not spiH. By another year the family
pronounced me large enough. to be
trusted With che butter and eggs, =
'C4rry them steady, child, and look
welEto your steps, that you don't trip"
said my grandmother. as she stood on
thedaOr-stsps.
Now, Deacon Wltheridge lived at
the topof tho long Minot Hill; and on
q warm day, by the time had trudged
up its weary length. i was ready
enough to accept Mrs. Deacon Wither-
idge's invitation to .'set down and cool
off" After several seasons Of ''settin'
down and coolin' of, 1 grew quite
familiar with the farmhouse and its in
mates. Mrs. Witheridge Inever liked.
It made NO difference that my grand
mother declared her most excellent
woman. the best butter-maker in the
town never recovered from the i'm
preston of my first visit.
BE sure and go to the back door,"
was my mothers parting injunction.
But when ! reached the house no
back-door could l find. 1 looked and
looked in vain. and was on the point OF
turning back toward home, when, sud
denly, with unwonted boldness, l de-
termineds to try the front-door.
made my. way through the tall grass
which choked the path, and let the
heavy brass knocker fall with q thump
that made me tremble. 1t Was some
time before heard an answering foot
step. and then, on the other side OF the
door, q fierce struggle with rusty bolts
and hinges. At last, with groan, the
door gave way, and I found myself
looking up at gaunt woman, ,swho i'm
pressed me as being of supernatural
stature.
"Ho! So it's nobody but you. is itp
Whakare you round here for. scarip'
folkShah to death, for fear twas some
grand company
began timidly. :
"Couldn't find the back doorP
Where do folks gen rally find back
doorsr'
l must have looked unable to answer,
for she went on:
why, round at the back o. the
house, most likely. But what do you
want o. the back door, when you git
there?'
care You Mrs. Deacon WitheridgeP"
1 asked, family.
..Yes; I'm her. Speak up lively and
tell me what you want. 1 amt got much
time ter waste. We're folks that work,
here.',
More and more embarrassed, I stam-
mered out: 81 came after some milk.
I'd like quart if you please. The
moneys in the pal"
'.Well, you'll have to go round to the
in. here. You might track in dirt.
just foller yer nose round the house" !"
I did at last find the right door,
where waited with some apprehen-
sion the re-appearance of the Deacon's s
wife. sss
She soon reached the door, and
called in an extraordinary pitch Of
voice:
Stephen! Stephen! "-~-2-
A boy who was bending over the
woodpiie, turned quickly and nervously
at her sharp voice, and came toward the
house.
"I want you to go down to the milk
cellar. Stephen, and get some milk for
Z. this child. Dip down under and don't
disturb the cream"
"All right, marm," he answered,
cheerfully.
"Come, step up quick. Don't walk
as if there was q ton o. lead on yer
heelsr'
Stephen held out his hand for my
pail, and invited my goodwill with q
friendly "Hullo."
"Very well, l thank you," l an
swered; for had been taught at home
that "boys and some rather common
little girls said Hullor instead OF
How do you doP" l noticed that
Stephen looked a little puzzled as he
carried of my pail watched him as
he went l have called him boy, but
could not nave guessed ms age his
form was siigLt ana ooyisni put there
were deep lines in his forehead. and 3
care-worn look about the eyes. his
clothes were poor and hung loosely upon
him. Yet Stephens STOPPING shoulders
and thin face left no impression of sad
ness upon me then. His smile was toe
CHEEKY. his Hullo'' too friendly fol
that For one thing did pity him,
that he was, apparently, IN the power
OF Mrs. Deacon Wltherldge. This
felt bond OF sympathy, Tor was not L
too. for the time being?
"Well, here yer be at last" said the
Deaconess, as Stephen emerged from