Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1883-08-15

taken in sewing, and he had worked for
the neighboring farmers summers, and
gone to school winters. And he had
been happy, for all they were so poor
until-mothcr died.
Then stopped with Deacon Staples
a spell; he said he wanted to trf me-
But they were going TO bind me out TO
him, and so / ran away"
None to blame. nuthcr," intcrpo ed
Prudence, with a great deal of empha
sis. "Pve seen old Staples, down to
Prescott. He's that mean ho'd skin u
mouse for the hide and taller"
1--we been trying along for a chance
to work." continued the boy, smiling
family. He was very near to tears
now, but he held them back sturdily.
"But there don't anybody seem TO
want me-"
Miss Abigail was moved more than
she would have cared to own by this
recital. Even to her, who had lived or
self so long. there was something indie
scribably pitiful in the thought of this
little wanderer battling alone with the
world, buffeted by fortune. drifting here
o: there, rs chance might dictate 1t
had grown DARK now the lamps had
long since been lighted; and there
were mutterings of distant thunder in
the air.
ats going to rain" said Miss Abb
gail. "You needn't go tonight; you may
Sleep in the stable loft"
Barry th nked her.
Tho storm broke with great violence.
And while Miss Abigail listened to tho
sh rip peals OF thunder and the pouring
OF the rain against the windows she
thought o the lnely little wayfarer in
the stable loft with a new, strange throb
of pity. Morning came, merry with
bird song and glistening with myr,ads
OF rain drops. Prudence was up be.
times. but, early as it was, she heard
the sound of an TX in the Wool she'd;
and when she opened the door Barry
smiled ut her from his post by the chop
ping block.
II don't think I paid enough for my
support eat such lot" he said, 80
I've split some kindlings. and III milk
for you this morning II you want me to. !"
Prudence brought the milk pail with !.
out word But when she had prep red
Miss Abigail Is morning mea', she made
ready good, subs antial breakfast for
Barry, a'so When he hal eaten 1t he
took up his hat crown.
Go out the way YOU come in " sail
Prudence, ar else you'll bring bad
luck"
Parry gave little incrcdulous laugh.
but he went out t. the porch NJ IS
Alb gal was there taking dcc) breaths
OF the fire. III air, and she bade him n
kind Good morning" as he went of
the step and down the path agaiu be.
tw, en- the Ii acs. exubcrant in growth
but meager in bloom.
~ wonder VIII my lilacs do not
flower more freely" This ISIS Abb
gail said TO Prudence, who had followed
TO the door.
- dunno" answered rudcnce.
Barry he ri, and turned guess
it's because you leave the old blossoms
on" he sa d, hcsitatingly. Mother
ed to say must pick the blossoms o |
one year. If wanted any next"
And then he went out of the gate.
closing il ca efully behind him, and
along the moist, bro yn highway.
That is a very uncommon boy"
sad Miss Abigail. looking alter him
with serious eyes.
YES" cs'ented Prudence. "hc's a
clever 'nough little chap-.for boy"
ITO think OF his knowing about the
lilacs," continued Miss Abigail, medi-
tatively. - must cut of all the flow
ers this spring."
IAN he got as good mess o milk
from the heifer ~ could ha' done my
self with well hand" Prudcnc went
on.
Yes, he would have been handy
NJ out milking and getting the wood for
you" said Miss Abigail.
AN bringin' the letters from the
post-ofce, proceeded Pruden C. :" Its
a good piece or to the village in
muddy walkin'."
so il is" said Miss Abigail. She
ga ed reflect yely along the road which
wound serpcntine, to tie little hamlet
a mile away Barry was climbing the
hill, u ere, piiful, lonely speck in the
distance, rs he was a me ms gnilican,
atom in the great body of Humanity.
Miss Abigail eye, filled.
1--WE might have kept him." she
said.
"Tain't too late yit." put in rru-
dence.
The two women looked into each
others eyes.
IF you could make him hear" be-
gan Mss Abigail.
For answer Prudence strobe to the
road, and sent a long, c.uavering cry
after Barry.
"Bo-o-yW
But the little figure they were watch
ing ploddcd steadily on,
hn ~ h.> Al.
kitchen, Miss Abigail " called Pru-
dence. eycitedly. "t,uick "
Miss Abigail, staid spinster that she
was, without thought of the
righteousness of the proceeding, ran 10
the kitchen, snatched the horn from IFS
nail, and ran out with il to Prudence.
And Prudence put it TO her lips and
blew blast so long, so loud, that it
startled tho birds into silence, and set
the echoes ringing from hillside to hill
side.
He G n hear that if he en- hear any
thing" she muttered.
He did. He stopped. Prudence flour
ishcd the horn in frantic excitement.
There was moment of suspense; and
then Prudence turned to Miss Abigail.
standing by the gate.
a. els a-comin' back she said
When Barry, breathless with the haste
he had made reached the cottage, Miss
Abigail was waiting on the porch.
I'VE made up our minds to keep
YOU" said she, $50 long as y,u don't
give too much trouble"
30, thank you. ma am" cried Bar
ry. Indeed, I'll try to please you"
! am sure he has succeeded; for the
lilacs have been in bloom three times
since that morning, and he is with Miss
Abigail yet, growing tall and strong
and manly as The years 90 by. lie tits
the bit of farm, which had so long
lain unimproved and i'm winter attends
school ut the village where he is n Q :
cellent repute. He is, withal, so faith
full and helpful and kind that Prudence
Is fain to apothegmatize the horn after
this fashion:
Harnsome is as harnsome does; an
you're deservin' OF n bed o. velyet. old