Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1881-04-23
MILLY-S TRAP.
BY JOANNA H. MATTHEWS.

will come with me?"' gH9 mad $50
81" and Il WILL" came from 4 cousin
and sister, and in addition to these
two volunteers, a small voice piped up
Couldn't / go, Milly? will sit quite
!. and please take Allie, too" 4 EYaN
But You and Alice would be tired, the
argument that they wanted so to hear
the music" the pleadings of the little
ones prevailed, and at the appointed
hour they set forth with the elders Of the
party.
We were very early. and having secur.
ed good places, where we thought we
could see and hear, Milly being at the
end of the line, congratulated ourselves
and one another on our success. But
this state of content was not of long
continuance, for rough, ragged, dirty
bows. regular street Arabs, came clatter-
ing into that very Tow of seats, with nc
little hustle, and >Awe're-as-gOOd-aS-
you- sort of air which BODIED small peace
and comfort for their neighbOrs during
the approaching exercises. We gazed at
them in disgust and apprehension, and
fell to wishing ourselves anywhere else
Next to Milly sat the dirtiest and most
ragged of the crew, a boy about IL. his
tattered jacket only half buttOned to-
gether, and showing glimpses of his
brown and shirtleSS little breast. His
pantalOOns were no better, his feet were
bare. his hands grimy beyond descrip-
ton. hair matted, and the covering upon
his head hardly worthy of the name of
hat. 1t might almost have been wonder
ed that such looking object should
have obtained admittance, save that all
who came were made welcome. His
companions were but shade better in
appearance, and it seemed that there
would not be much to choose between
them in point of behavior. They were
evidently all primed for as much mis-
chief and annoyance as could be ventur-
ed upon without danger of expulsion.
The boy next to Milly turned and scan
ned her. his bold, saucy eyes running
over her pretty figure from the fiOunce
of her black silk dress to the daintily-
glOved hands lying in her lap, thence to
the tasteful little bonnet with its wreath
of field flowers; but she did not shrink
from his gaze, nor did she draw the
folds of her skirt from its close contact
with his rags, as more than one of us
would have done.
aLet us find other seats" | whispered,
I'VE shall have no peace with those boys
So near, !, and they arg -disgastingly
.We shall not find places as good. or
where we can sit together" said Milly
in the same tone. "the house is so full
now. do not think they will trouble
u.s." r--Ftrr.- -sr
The rest were of a different opinion,
but it was true about the seats, and we
resigned ourselves to her decree with
what grace we might, growing more and
more uncomfortable under the scrutiny
of the whole Arab party now drawn upon
Us by the scrutiny of Millys next neigh
Dor. Having taken fill of this, they be-
gan to make as many demonstrations as
they dared, shutting their feet, whis-
Ting half underEtheir breath, making
faces at our two little sisters, splitting,
and indulging in other diversions COM
mon to their class, and finally, the one
next to Milly produced dirty pack of
cards which he began to shuttle. How
much farther they would have gone can
not be told, for to us most unexpected
check was put upon such lawleSS dOings.
do you think we shall be able to hear
here?" asked Milly, in her usual gentle
tones, of the young ruffian at her side.
The hands which held the cards fell
upon his knees as he stared Open-mOuth-
ed at her.
swell, guess so," he answered pres
emily; then, after moments pause, add
ed, 81 dunno bout the speakin', but we
kin hear the singin' fust rate. Tain't
no odds bout the speakin'."
Il would like to hear that, tOO," said
Milly, graeiOusly, "and l suppose we can
if the house is quiet; but believe that /,
like you, count more on the singing.
But hope we shall be able to hear
both"
The scuffling and shutting had ceased
as the other boys listened in astOnish-
ment to the colloquy between the lady
and their cOmrade.
Have you ever been here before? ask
ed Milly, unheeding our amazement.
Not here to this ERE place." answered
the boy, "but been lots of times to Phil
adelphy. Sankey was up to there you
know"
"Oh, / am glad that you have seen Mr..
Sankey," said Milly, 'for have never
seen him, and if you will point him out
to me when he comes on the platform 1
will be Obliged to you"
81 will" said the boy who sat second
from MilIy, leaning eagerly forward. II
see him lots of times; I'll show him to
you, missus."
mo YOU won't, nuther; she asked me
,fust, she did," said the first boy.
Thank you both" said Milly, then adj
dressing some remarks to little Allie.
The noises and expectOratiOn were not
resumed, although she had apparently
turned her attention from the boys, and
che pack of cards disappeared within the
depths OF the pocket whence they had
been taken. Again MilIy's neighbOr eyed
her from head to foot, and then nudging
the boy next to him. said:
~ say, Bill, you change seats with me.
You're more fit nor me to sit next to sich
q highfyer as this one."
Bill readily complied, and in his turn
subjected Milly and the rest of the party
to the closest scrutiny until the services
began. - fso,r.- -~Fs
There's Moody, that's himE" he said,
when that gentleman appeared upon the
platform; then sat quiet, and we were
filled with surprise to see that his COM
panions followed his lead. Not quieter
or better-behaved group sat within that
vast and crowded building.
"HOnOr among thieves" When Mr..
Sankey came forward, hymn book in
hand, after the prayer with which the
services were opened, Bill did not offer
to tell Milly that he was the man, but
lett 1t to Jim, who for the moment forgot
DIS good behavior, and with outstretched