The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1882-01-05

Tell, the shy WAS gray. aud tue short ~ih
Ter afternoon Was iast growing into night
Up The struggling village stree, lai'
urehin was irudging along, not eheerily
and ~iih boyish whisiling. but slo~ly and
painfully, stopping ever now aud then ie
give q pull TO the ragged wooden socks,
which were all the covering his little feet
possessed The cobble-stoue walk was
slippery with the frozen sleet. and often
the poor little chilled feet stumbled and
hurt themselves cruelty; but their owner
was one Of those pitiiul examples Of how
even suffering can become expected, and
he endured his bruises with patience
After the row Of cottages on each siie OF
the inn above the door Of which swung
the sign OF the "Half Moon came the
church, with its iron gates. open to-day.
for busy hands were bringing holly aud
ivy aud laurel. TO make beautiful tho home
OF the Lord. for the white day OF the year.
beyond the church stretched the grass
fields. aud the ivy.topped low stone wall
OF the village garden. Away aud beyond
that were rolling fields, aud then at u half
mile distance the great stone pillars and
gates OF The Cedars the residence OF Mr..
Fairbanks, the owner ot the great mills IN
the hollow. where heavy machinery chat.
tered aud doomed from morning till
night
As the child passed the church he heard
voices. aud stopped minute he looked
through the grating, wondered dimly il
the gentlefolks ever. ever starved in the
cold.
Mrs Elsmore, the Wears wife, was
coming out, her hands full OF cleaning
berries and shining leaves; she was talking
pleasantly to the old sexton who was lock
ing up the church.
BE sure and have good fire in the
| vestry tomorrow, for we will be down
early, she was saying as she came through
the gates; and Andrew. take care OF your
rheumatism; it is cold to night.
Aye, madam, it do be bitter cold, it's
loike snow, and pulling his hair to the
lady, Andrew shuffled OFF
Turning quickly Mrs. Ellsmoro nearly
stumbled over the crouching figure of the
child, who sat down to rest on the stone
ledge outside the iron fence. Well little
boy, and who are you? She said, stoop-
ing a moment
Dime Bobby, lie answered, gazing into
her face with the wistful look OF some
dumb animal
Mrs. Elllsmore smiled.
Where do you liver
Down there jerking his head toward the
hollow.
Oh, your father works in the milly
Ma, he's turned of; wen the master
turned ofthe hands, fathers name was
drawed
A shadow crept into the kind eyes
watching him. 1t was the same old pitt
full story; how often she heard it that win
ter. Trade was dull fnd just as winter
was coming on Mr., Fairl nuks hal closed u
part ofhis mills and tur ned of hall OF his
hands. They said when tho news was told
them great cry went mp from the men;
in an instant they sawiwhrt would follow
starvation for the wives and little onos.
Other mill owners had done the same,
but still others kept on their hands for the
winter, only shortening the hours. Mr..
Fairbanks was just mnster and q hard
one, and now many brawny fist was
shaken stealthily after him Us his carriage
rolled past the cottage windows. Mrs.
Ellsmore thought of all this as she looked
down into the little pinched face.
Where are you going, child? she asked,
gently.
Oims come for granny, the baby's cry
ing himself into fits, an mother doan't
know what ails it.
Where does granny live?
Down t lane. Dime getting stiff, and
he dragged himself up feebly.
| should think you would get stiff sit
ting there, come home with me and get |
warm, and III give you something for the
baby. come-Mrs. Ellsmore held out her
hand. Have you hurt yourself? she asked,
AZ the child gave sort OF moan.
Dime thinkin' oime fast, he said, rueful-
|y. don't SEQ NJ can move on. point.
ing to his feet True enough, the poor little
bare toes. damp with the misty fallen sleet,
had frozen fast 10 the stone pavement.
Tears sprang to Mrs Ellsmore's eyes
My poor child what are We to dol
The child looked wonderingly at her
That this pretty lady, with her white hands
aud soft warm furs aud shining dress,
should really cry for him was something
loo extraordinary TO be believed.
l can get EN- off, he said. presently,
bat. with q sudden thoughtfulness. yon
might turn yer head, mum, it'll be some
bloody. Dime thinkin'.
Seeing he really wished 1t, Mrs. Ellis
more turned away her head, waiting till
the boys voice--a little unsteady-said,
now, mum. Then she knelt down quick
ly to bind up the little thin feet in her
hastily torn in two.
A dog-cart ratified up quickly behind
her. stopped, and pleasant voice said
What is the matter, Mrs. Ellsmore, can
help you?
She raised her eyes gravely.
See, Mr.. Fairbanks, the child's feet have
frozen TO the stones.
Oh. shocking! and Mr.. Fairbanks came
10 her side He cant walk iu that state
Where does be liver
He lives in Holldw-his father worked
IN the mill, she said. slowly was going