Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-04-16
Gales ano Skfttbts.
TOM.


tore through the streets as if it had gone
mad; whirling before it dust and snow,
and every movable thing it could Law its
clutching hand upon. poor old bat
tered kite, that, some time last autumn,
had lodged far up in the tallest tree in the
neighborbood, and had there rested peace
fully ever since, believing its labors at an
end, was dragged from its nest. and driv-
en- unpityingly before the blast. Some
feeble efforts it had made to dodge into
corners. lurking behind steps and diving
into areas; but not a bit OF it, Down
would swoop the wind, and off IT would
go again.
Al last, driven around one of the long
row of barrels, that stood, like wretched
sentinels, along the edge of the sidewalk.
it flew into the very arms Of a small boy.
who, seated on the cnrb-stone, crouched
down in the barrels somewhat questiona-
BILE shelter. Such very small boy, He
looked like nothing in the world but a lit
tie heap of rags and the rags were very
thin, and the small boy was very cold.
His nose, his ears. his hands, and his bare
feet were blue He was almost too cold
to SILVER. certainly too cold to notice the
unfortunate kite, which, as its enemy, the
wind, approached with n roar, seemed to
cover close to him, rs il begging his pro-
lection. Round both sides Of the barrel at
once came the wind, shook hands right
through little Tom, and, bowling with de-
light, rushed off with its miserable victim.
s'TOm'-that was all the name he had
Who he was, or where he came from. no
one knew, except, perhaps, the wretched
old woman with whom he lived; which
meant that she let him sleep upon pile
OF rags on the floor of her miserable room.
and sometimes gave him crust. and Oft
ener a blow. When she was drunk-and
that was the greater part of the time
Tom took to the streets; and by night she
was very drunk. The boy was, perhaps
some six years old; but as he covered
down on the cold flag stones, with his
worn, pinched face and dropping head, he
might have been a hundred.
A carriage came rattling through the
icy street, and stopped close by him. The
door was pushed open. and two children
half-tumbled out. and, leaving the door
swinging. rushed up the steps. Tom
watched them stupidity. heard the quick
sharp ring of the bell, caught glimpse
Of something that looked very bright and
warm. and then it was dark again. He
turned his eyes toward the carriage. ex.
pecting it to drive off again but it still
stood there The coach nan sat upon the
box like furry monument. One of the
horses struck the stones sharply with his
iron hOof, and east an inquiring glance
around, but the monument sat unmoved.
Toms heavy ewes looked through the
open door into the carriage. Dark as it
was. he could see that it was lined with
something thick and warm. He raised
his head and glanced about him. If he
were inside there the wind could not
touch him. Oh. il he only could get
away from it one minute He would slip
out again the moment the house door
opened Unbending his stiff little body.
he crept nearer. hesitated 4 moment, and.
as the wind came round the corner with II
roar. slipped swiftly and noiselessly into
the carriage. In the further corner of the
seat he curled himself into little round
heap. and lay. with beating heart, listen
ing to the wind rs it swept by.
II was very quiet in his nest, and the
soft velvet was much warmer than the
cold flag stones, aud he was very tired
and very cold. and in half minute he
was fast asleep. lie did not know when
Mt last the house door opened and lady
gathering her cloak close around her,
came down the steps-did not know even
when the suddenly animated monument
descended from its pedestal and stood
solemnly by the open door until the lady
had stepped inside. But when it shut
with a slam. and the coachmau, returning
to his post drove rapidly away. the boys
eyes opened and fixed their frightened
gaze npon the lady's fac. Pre-oc-
cupied with her own thoughts, she had
not noticed the queer bundle in the dark
corner. But now. her attention attracted
by some slight movement on his part. she
turned her eyes slowly toward him, and
then. with suppressed cry of surprise
and alarm. laid her hand upon the door.
The rattle of the wheels and the roar OF
the wind prevented it reaching the ears of
the coachman; aud Tom. rapidly unwind
ing himself. and covering dawn in the
bottom OF the carriage. said, with a fright
ened sob:
II dId'nt mean no harm. | was awful
cold. Say. Just open the door, missis.
and I'll jump out, You needn't stop the
kerridge.'
The lady. with her hand still on the
door. demanded
''IIow did you get here ?''
1.-The door was open. aud clum." he
NUsWtFcu. III WIS awful tolu
The lady took her hand from the door
Come nearer" she said. ''Let me see
your face"
Tom drew his ragged sleeve across his
eyes. and looked up over his shoulder.
They had turned into brilliantly lighted
street. and she could see the tangled yell
low hair was soft and fine and that the big
frightened eyes that raised themselves to
hers were not piekpockets eyes. With a
sudden impulse she laid her gloved hand
lightly on the yellow head where dc
You live ?" she asked
Something in the voice and touch gave
him courage
with Nanny SAL he answered.
Strengthening up-"me and some other
fellows. Sometimes we begs, sometime
we take the barrels. When we get haul
it amt so bad. but when we don't we
ketch it. She's drunk tonight, and she
drove us out.
She pushed the heavy hair back from
his forehead. us Mamma Sal your moth
err" she asked.
Nor cried the boy almost tiercely
then added sulenly. Il amt got none"
Slowly the gloved hand passed back and
forth over the yellow hair. The lady's
l. tI,a Nov