Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-06-01
GALES anb Sketfbes.
Nj VACANT.


his neck was one OF those great printed
placards. such as the blind men wear who
lit at the street corners. Laura'- purse
was always fuller than mine and she was
extracting a bit of scrip from it. while
bent my neaDsighted eyes on the boy
label Could it be that | read arights
looked again. No, was not mistaken.
read, in great. staring letters: Il have
lost my husband In the war.
In the war And those blue eyes had
not opened. surely. till some time after
the war was ended. His husband | was
bewildcred. | bent my gaze on him
sternly. and asked him. a. severely rs
could:
Young man. can YOU read ??
Laura was iumblng away at the un-
answered door bell The bov lookeI a. If
he wanted 20 run but put my hand on
his arm.
Can you read ~ | repeated. grayelv
think he shook in his habby boots. for
his voice was not quite steady a. he
answered:
Not much.
Not much. I should think. Do YOU
know what this thing SAYS that you've got
around YOUR neck ,"
Does it say I'm blind he asked,
with little frightened quaver.
''Nr, it says-bnt do you know what Il
husband Is ~
Yes, he comes home drunk, and beats
Mag and me awful
Ibid You ever know boy OF your age
tC have husband p
The blue eyes grew wide open that
wondered if they could ever shut them
selves up again; and Laura. who had
turned round ut my question. looked rs if
she thought | had suddenly gone mad.
The little dressmaker had opened the
door, and stood there waiting meekly,
with the handle in her hand. But my
spirit was up. and did not care for either
Of them. 1askcd again, very impressibly,
rs thought, with a pause after each word:
id-you-eycr-knp w-ol-a-boy--
of-your-age-to--h avc-a-husband 2''
No, marm. he gasped. Husbands be
longs 10 women.
Then what do YOU wear this thing for !?
1t says that Won have lost Your husband in
the war
The imp actually turned pale. and
almost pitied him.
''Will they put me in prison ?'' he a,ke !!
an abieci little whine coming into his
voice. viii they ?"
IJlu Won SttiI VI
IL didn't steal it Just took it, I'd
seen the rest put them on when they went
out begging. and this was old Mcg's.
She wasn't going ont TODAY. and thought
it no harm to borrow
Then you cant re I'll ?'
well. not to say read, marin, | think
| could make out a word now and then
"Do You want to-
ha IA. I,,i,r 4
with the curbing lips and eager ewes was
that of 4 pretty boy.
'.Oh. if couldr' halt sighed the quiv-
ering lips; and then the smile went out,
and left blank despair behind it. It's no
use. marin; she wons let me
Who won't? Your MOTHER"
No. Mays mother-od Meg Nv
mothers dead, and never had any father
that ever | heard of; and since mother
died old Meg does for me; and every day
she sends me out to beg and it don't
get much she whips Mag
was growing strangely interest d.
whips Mag because you don't get
much ?" | said doubtfullv What fore"
Il guess there's hard place on me.
marin. She found that IT didn't seem to
hurt much. when she whipped me: and
so one night Mag was teas ing her to stop
and she turned to and whipped Nag, and
that made me cry awful and ever since.
it don't get enough money, she whips
Mag.
Are You sure You are telling the
truth ?"
don't know why asked the question.
Tor ! saw honesty in those clear eyes of
his. He looked hurt. Yes YOU NAV
laugh if you want to. I'm telling YOU Just
~ it was-the boy looked as hurt rs any
Of you would if | doubted YOU Then
came n sort OF proud shame into his man.
ner. He clutched at the placard round
his neck. As if he would tear it off. and
answered sadly;
II s'pose ! can't expect anybody to be-
lieve me with this round my neck; but if
YOU would 90 home with me, Mag could
tell you and YOU could believe her"
by this time Laura had gone in. leaving
me to finish my interview alone The
other day heard Tom say he wanted an
GRAND boy Why should he not have
this one? Tom va, my brother. knew
Just the difficulties he would make-want
OF reference, Il stree. begger. regular
rat OF the gutter. | could fancy lust how
he would talk. knew. too that | could
override his objections That's power
women have when Il man loves them
whether he he II husband. or brother. or
friend. hated the thought of vice and
ignorance and poverty. What il could
save Just one small hoy from their clutch
esp | said rcsouiclv;
''Will You 90 home with me. and have
u comfortable home. and good food. and
honest ~ork. and no one to beat You ever.
and learn TO read ?"
had seen no assent in his eyes till
came TO this clause of my sentence. Then
he asked shrewdlv:
Who'll teach me | can't 90 to school
and do my work too"
will teach YOU. VIII You 90 and
work faithfully for my brother, and learn
Ia read?"
Wont |. lust ="
We'll, then. Jet me speak to the lady
who went in. and I'll take YOU home AT
ence.''
He shufiled uneasilv.
"lf you please. marin. can't 60 till
I've been back tn Meg's, and carried her
this board
But I'll get a policeman to send