The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-05-12

life he now lcd; but, after all, what q
miserable fate. eiiS e. = .7 'A'-i'
III am one of the women who really
love children, and it struck me that the
child was pretty, and had good head.
What a pleasant task it would be to re-
form him. To educate him; to save
him from all that lay before him. Had
been rich woman, l, should have
seen my way clear to the attempt. but
a spinster govcrness-yet, after all
''Chiid. 4 said, what is your nameP'
"Ben," he answered.
"Well, Bcn," said, ''are they good
to you. these people you live with? Do
you like them? Are you happy, or
would you like to live diilerently?''
I'D ike said poor little Ben, ''to
have plenty TO cat and go TO school with
other fellers. I7get wl,ippings. and am
hungry sometimes. L don't belong to
no one, and nobody cares for me. /
don't live anywhere regular" ''
''You'd like 10 60 to school, eh?" l
asked. ssissi r7---- - as~'i -7- $50
s.Yes, like fcllers," replied Ben. 81
went to school once to get in, but the.
lady said to go away, / had dirty feet.
Jim. said you could sneak lots of things
in school if you was smart. He did,
but he had shoes"
1t seemed a hopeless case. However,
even yet could not bring myself TO
hand the boy over to Mr. Pemberton.
who assuredly would give him to the
police. There was Q. way in which /
could help him, if he were not really
fond of his companions, and older in
crime than he seemed, but to do SO
must be very cautious. The character
of a female Don Quixote would not be u
good one for a governess.
.'Ben,' ! said, Il want to help you.
to keep you from going back to those
people. and to put you. to SCHOOL, -
He looked at me; ;wonderingly. -
] = IF anyone else in the house knows
that you are here, you will be given to
the police" said. lit will now soon.
be day. $ You must let me lock you up
in this room until dark, and you must
make no noise. I will give you plenty
to eat. q. Remember, it is for your
good.ns rrszlog4a a-7f.; 90 s.as-.a &
He nodded. The experience of his
life had taught him to understand the
necessity of concealment as other chill
dren do not. 3 s'ni@ 60 7ve. f
''A 'I'll be num-" he said Don't fear
me; PHI be mum.'' -s-s.7a-i-' ''s''-. % 81.
! And from that time until dawn I sat
and looked at him without saying any
more. = '
1t was. easy enough to provide him
with food that day, but my conscience
was heavy. Glad enough was | when
night came, and in the darkness 1
smuggled the little creature out of the
house, and holding his hand, went
straight TO the Clergyman of the church
/ regularly attended. He was good
man. devoted 10 his calling, and l Knew
him 70 take a great interest in the re-.
demption of such walls Us Ben. and
that he was secretary, of an association
for such objeels. :s.a ..v.a.isae u .e.a.
Mr.. Dale received me in his study,
AMI left little Ben in the hall, and not
feeling quite. sure of the safely of the
hats AND coats upon the stand, whis-
pered to the seEyant to watch him.
Once within the study, L told a truth
full story to Mr.. Dale. .'IIe is already
a little thief, 1 SUPPOSE l added: '.but
he is very young. Will you help me to
save hipll. Will you send him to your
farm school, Keeping the secret of his
antecedents? IL will pay you for his
outfit; his clothes,s trunk ETC., and for
his journey-alsO. - ~ s-s's-F-s.:7 ~ rs --.
will be the duty of the soci-
ety." replied the reverend gentleman.
II will report the case. If 1 am per-
mitted to send him he shall go. Mean
while-wdit~ a moment-'''1 He arose
and left the room, and soon returned
"Meanwhile,' he continued, my
housekeeper will take charge of him.
He can stay here. %
A month from that day. little Ben
Gray was sent away to the Jefferson
4efm-school. He wore a stout cloth
eQtt and cap, and had a small trunk full
q clothing. He was proud and happy,
md though he did not know the words
81 gratitude. could see. that he was
l gave him a lecture on
good behavior, and kissed him as we
parted. No. one had ever kissed him
before, believe. lsts
q. He started, looked at me, and his
ing, 'Take your seats, please" the five
other little boys and their guardian,
who were his companions, grew impa-
tient, and SO we parted. 49,. - ..ir.--ss.
n was not insane enough to tell; of my
might have lost me my
place; but soon i heard from Mr.. Dale
that my waif had reached his destina-
tion.s behaved we'll, and was happy. A
year later he wrote me q letter thank
ing me for my goodness. l fancied it
was dictatedtto him, and thought little
Of it, save as a proof that my efforts to
help him were successful aNI ~ -$ua 'i-.
Years glided by-fifteen years. They
had not been happy ones for me. / lost
many friends. l was lonely. My eyes
failed me, and I could no longer teach
lfhe embroidery and flower painting,
which were my spccialties. At last
fell i'll In paying doctors and nurses
all my small savings melted, and when
had recovered my health so as to look
into my affairs. l found myself an elder
ly woman, with only a few pounds in
tlie worldsand mo prospect OF, a posi-
ton.
The lodging keeper with whom
I lived, though not i cruel woman, felt
anxious. to be rid of one who soon might
be unable to pay her,way, and my ad-
brought nossnswers. Peo-s
pie. wanted younger and more fashion, !,
able e-goyernesSeS.ss2 ,ss.I sGzts ,..s.st III
d. L was seeking, aplaces in q shop. and
finding there Also they desired only
pretty young girls. when. onealay, re-
turning weary and fDotsore, was told
that u gentleman Wished TO See me, and.
hoping for q newcmploNershu
stairs. TO my rOoni.. Some one advanced
to meet me. A slender young man.
dark seyed,and dark haired, who held,
out his baud and sail.,s Miss Rivers, l
Knew. vOal at once.= but,iI scareelyathink
you can 'relnemb little Ben Gray
Little Ben GrayisI was .astonished
beyond expression. This was a gentle
man, ifeever Que spoke. ssss JAZZ .sa
ssYou wore so good to me-, SO angel
ic," proceeded this gentfeman: '.Irdid
not know how good yop,were then, 1
was such u little brute; but every year
learnt better to understand. What you
had done for me- have sbeen very for
tunate.. : An old doctor took me into his
surgery wlleas,.I left sci ool.s am a
surgeon in decent practice myself now,
and l am married Il told my wife my
stnri. and slal, ], iiourS nll .-xnu did for