Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-06-01


front basement. and the outside door was
so near that opened it myself 1t was.
indeed, my vagrant.
Il want Miss May" he said. with the
air which such gamin puts on when he
speaks to a servant-an air which instant
~ subdued itself into propriety when he
heard my voice.
took hirl in to Tom; and saw the
blue eyes softened even the preiudiced
mind and worldly heart of Mr.. Thomas
Nav. He spoke very kindly to the boy.
and then sent him into the kitchen for his
supper,
Where do YOU propose to keep this
new acquisition % he asked me, after the
blue-eved was out of sight.
I'm this house. if YOU please. There is
little single bed all ready for him i'll the
attic, and I've arranged with cook to give
him a bath and then put him into some of
the clothes her own boy left behind him
when he went away to sea. | mean To
rescue this one soul from Il starved. and
miserable, and wicked life and I'm will
ing to take some pains: and if You aren't
willing to do Your part I'm ashamed OF
YOU"
Tom laughed aud called me his fierce
little woman. hi, angry tnrtle-dove.'
and halt a-dozen other names which he
never gave ne except when he was in
good humor. 81 knew it WA. all right
Before three days were over Tom owned
that my vagrant. as he persisted in calling
the boy (though we knew now that his
name was Johnny Truce was the best
errand boy he ever employed myself
taught him to read, as had promised.
and brighter scholar never teacher had.
In four months he had progressed so fast
that he could read almost anything. There
had been a sort Of feverish eagerness in
his desire to learn, for which | was at IA
loss to account. Sometimes. coming
home from some party or opera, would
find him studying in the Kitchen at mid
night.
We grew fond of him. all Of u Cook
said he was no trouble and h. made it
seem as il she had her own boy back
again. He waited on Tom with "A sort of
dog-like iaiihtulnesS and, rs for me, |
believe that he would have cut his hand
off for me at any time.
Yet one morning he rot up and DELHI
erately walked ont of the house When
his breakfast WAS ready cook called for
him in vain. and in vain she searched for
him from attic to cellar. But before it
was time Tor Tom to 90 to business an
other boy came. a little older than my va
grant-a nice. respectable looking boy
and asked for Mr.. MAY. He came into
the dining-room and stood there. cap in
hand
If You please, sir" he said bashtullv.
johnny True wants to know if you will
be 50 good rs 10 take me on in his place.
considering that.he isn't coming back any
more, and have done errands before and
got good reference"
He had made his little speech in breath
less haste. running all his sentences tc-
"ether into one
Tom looked at him deliberately. and lit
a cigar.
johnny isn't coming back, hey?''
NO. sir
Where is Johnny gomez"
lie didn't tell me, if YOU please but he
said he should he hurt to death if 1t
troubled you to lose him. and he knew |
could do rs well rs he could"
saw IL refusal in Toms eyes, so made
haste to forestal it.
''Do take him., said in low tone to
Tom. and then said to the boy that Just
now he had better 90 to the store, and
Mr.. May would see him presently, when
he came To business.
Tom laughed. a half-amused, halt pro-
vokcd laugh when he went out. and
said
We'll. my dear. don't think your va
grant has proved TO he such a success that
you need expect me to let him choose my
next crraud boy
II think. At least that If he has sent you
one aS GOOD n himself. YOU will have no
fault to find. said holly. But all the
time there was a sore place in my heart.
for had thought that my vagrant would
have loved me too we'll to run away from
me in this way.
That night Tom said that the new errand
boy was doing well, and he had concluded
to keep him on. think Tom missed my
vagrant but not of course, SO much as
missed my bright schoar-my grateful
little follower.
OF course. the new boy lived in his own
home. wherever that might be. did not
concern myself about him. or feel any dis
position to pu. him in the little bed in the
front attic
Two or three weeks passed and we
heard no word from Johnny True But
at last one rainy day came and with it
Johnny. asking for Miss May.
Il guess he's repented.' cook said
coming up stairs to tell me- | went down
to johnny. resolved to be equal to the oc-
casion-to meet him with all the severity
his ungratcful behavior deserved. But.
somehow. the wi>tful look in his blue ewes
disarmed me. He was "A little thin, and
pale. too; and my heart began to soften
even before he spoke.
II couldn t stay. away ma am. he said.
with the clear accent he had caught so
quickly from my brief teaching, land not
let You know why went
To let me know when you went would
have been more to the purpose, ;" answer
ed. with what sternnes could command
IL had thought better of vou johnny. than
that You We're capable of running away
But You see. ma am. | was afraid you
would not let me 60 if told vou''
And why did yOu want to 90? Were
you not comfortable -
..les ma 'am-that was the worst of it"
why the worst of it? Have YOU anv
especial objection to being comfortable %
Suddenly the blue eyes filled with tears.
like girls; and there was pitilu sob
in the voice that answered me-