Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-02

W lls
Harley in the meanwhile watches every
movement. Then he stoops down for his
box of tools. Harley eyes them sharply,
and the little fingers work nervously.
Cunny hammer" says he, Harley can
mend umbrellas"
Harley has hammer of his own, this
belongs to the man and Harley cannot
have it," say with authority.
He stands irresolute. The man pulls
out small sun umbrella from his bundle,
and hands it to him.
" You Can have this" he says, - it isn't
good for much," and opening it he dis
plays 4 somewhat dilapidated affair, which
he passes into Harley's hand, and with
which he is satisfied.
Then the man straps up his box.
- IN obliged to you, marm. | didn't
always follow this work. but my trade is
all knocked in the head by machines, and
I've had troubles. and one thing and
another, and now I'm Il poor jobber from
house to house."
"And can you make n good living at
thisp" inquire.
81 could spend more if l had it. 1t
doesn't take much to keep mo. and some
days l do pretty well. Now, good bye
Harley. Shall you take your umbrella
when it rains?"
20 yeS," said Harley, marching up and
down with dignity betitting the occasion.
There is ring at the front door, which
Maggie answering. comes back. saying
" There is gentleman in the parlor who
wishes TO see you"
Are you sure it is not my daughter he
wishes to seep"
" He says the old lady"
There it is again! as | turn to answer
the call, see the umbrella man Just tax
ing his leave, and Harley standing in the
doorway, the sunlight slanting across his
little head under the broken shade.
the conversation over with my visitor,
20 up to my room and sit down to my
hook, to which can now give my atten-
tion, my mind having recovered from the
disturbance occasioned by the unfortunate
remark of the repairer of umbrellas
Having occasion TO consult the dictionary
| find it open at the pictorial illustrations,
which reminds me of Harley. The still
ness of the house startles me. | 90 TO the
head of the stairs, Maggie, is Harley
thereP"
mo marin, thought he was up with
you"
60 down directly. " He hasn't been
with me, where can he have gomez" and
noon of the day had been warm and sun
ny, and Harley had been allowed TO play
in the yard and had taken out his wheel
barrow and shovel. l see them as stand
in the doorway, but do not see Harley
Now, though the chld is strong and sturdy,
he has never walked any great distance,
and never has been alone out OF the door
yard; so, think he cannot have gone far
We call, " Harley, Harley" but we get no
reply
lhen | think of q hundred ways in
which he may have come to harm. He
may have fallen from Il bank OF the steps
and broken his limbs; and look, but inu
no disabled Harley. With sbudderlng
horror | think OF the barn and the hay
cutter, the scultle door and The grain chest
in which he may have fallen headlong. |
am in the barn, and forgelful of my years.
climb the stairs. The hay cutter has not
been tampered with, he has not fallen
through the open scuttle, he is not in the
grain chest; | call, but no childish voice
iOpiiSo' 81 Nc"h \ oCdlNu tilt
sleigh and the carriage, shake out the
blankets and robes, half expecting to see
his merry face peep out AT me. | even
open the door OF the harness room and
call " Harley" but only silence answers
me.
In the meantime Maggie has searched
the house, and We meet IN the kitchen in
mutual dismay.
What shall we do2"
"Can it be, said Maggie. " that he has
followed the umbrella MANI"
Then a new terror seizeS me. | think
of Charlie Ross and clasp my hands tight
over my heart. don't impart my fears
to Maggie, it is too horrible to give them
words and voice. | must be quick in what
| do" Bring me my bonnet and shawl, you
stay here IN case he returns or any one
comes. Poor Maggie the tears are
streaming down her cheeks. AS 90 from
the door come upon the wheel-barrow
and the little shovel and the pile of dirt
and stones with which he had amused
himself in the morning. 1t is too much
for Us, we both break down utterly.
"Do take them out of sightn' | eXclaim,
and pass out of the yard.
L meet stranger. " Have you seen Il
man with umbrellasp" | inquire. Yes,
such man came to my house at noon, but
sent him off, never have anything 10 do
with such people, all pretence to get into
your house. Has he stolen anythingp"
Have you seen little boy without 4
hatp"
"No, have you lost little boy? Haven't
doubt but -"
don't stay to hear any more. | have
started for the police station, shall ever
get thereP must give the alarm and put
the officers on the track OF the wretch. But
as | hurry away | have time for bitter self
reproaches, L have time TO picture the
frantic Srlef OF the parents ut coming
home and their child missing; time to
think OF the horrible uncertainties and
terrible possibilities of his fate; carried off
it may be 10 som5 dismal den, with cross
words and perhaps blows in answer to
his piteous cries. Yet my eyes search
every nook as / hurry along; / look be-
hind every tree. peer into every yard.
My heart stands still for one instant, when
| see little boy on II doorstep with his
head resting on large shaggy dog; | 90
up the steps, but soon see 1t isn't Harley.
Again see group of children gathered
around hand organ and monkey.
scan every figure in the group, but Har-
ley isn't there! l hurry on. What do l
seep just before me is the umbrella man.
There can be no mistake in the thickset
igure, the box, the old umbrellas He is
walking slowly along. hurry up TO him
and seize him by the arm.
Have you seen my boyP" lie turns
and looks at me amazed. I" He is gone,
haven't seen him since you left"
Indeed, marin, haven't seen him
since | lett him at your door,
feel that he has not, the honest face
confronting me disarms suspicion. Where
Then is Harleyp catch sight of the coat
and buttons OF "A policeman and stop him.
i have lost my boy, and you pust help
me find him."
How old is your boyP"
" About three years old"
With plaid dress and white apron
without hat, and with IA broken sunshade
in his handP'
i" Yes, yes, yes" I excaim.
i" There is child ans wering to that de-
scripIion in the police station now, Just
brought in, Don't cry, marm. come along