The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-09-27
Adopting Grandpa.

An old5manLnot ragged, but clad III
old and faded aud time!worn garments,
and moving with feeble stepsjand wenry
air sat down under tree on John r.
street the other day to rest bit. Three
or four children were playing in the
yard ut his back, and directly O mite of
a girl looked through the fence and
asked: q. t>,.'1,,...,. - ?.
''Woald you hurt a little girl Pr
q. BLESS me, no p he replied. "Why
I'D even step aside to pass O bug or a
worm ! No, child, I wouldn't hurt a
hair OF your head for all the2 money in
bare YOU an nybody:sgrandiIpaa ~ a. she il, in
quired, as the other children crowded
up. = =. - ~. F,,,',;S, f..tt. :.
'"No-not now, child! tThere was a
time dear mol but.it hurts my old heart
to remember it-when children called
me grandpa. 1t was years ago--years
and years, but 1 can almost hear their
voices yet"
"Be you cryingP"
"N-no. The tears will spring up as
recall the past, but I'm not crying
There are days when can't keep them
back-nlghts when I am child, but I'm
trying to be strong just now."
II guess I'll come out and see you
My dolls broke her neck and is most
dead"
"Como right along, child I used to
mend legs and arms, and necks when the
children brought their dolls to me-"
The little one passed through the gate
and sat down beside the poor old man,
and while he sought to save the life O.;
the "most dead" doll by means of stick
and string the child observed:
"You must be quite old, grandpa;
you are all skin and bone"
"Old? Bless you, yes Twas 81 only
q week or two ago. Yes, I'm poor ill
flesh as well as in purse"
"Soyour grandchildren had dolls, eh ?''
eyes, dear-dolls and toys and fine
clothes and books, and everything they
wanted. was rich then"
"And did they comb your hair?"
ooh, yes."
"And sing to you?"
eyes"
"Well, I guess I'll sing you n song,
for m going to ask ma if [ can't ADOPT
you as my grandpa. You must excuse
my voice, for 1 swallowed pin the other
day and ma expects it to work out of NV
shoulder this fall. I guess I'll sing
about the three little graves. Don't look
at me or shall forget"
And in a voice full OF childish quavers,
and frequently stopping as if to swallow
some of the words she sung:
"Under an elm three little graves
Under tho sod my children three
The years may pass, but my heart will gricve
And sorrow will ever rest with me.
"Under the elm walked to-day,
okpl-
"Why, graplpa, the tears arc Just
running down your cheeks I"
Yves. child-I can't help it ! My
poor old life is full of graves and gricfs T.
els your wife dead?"
''Long ago. child"
"And all the childrenP"
Dead or scattered. / am alone"
"Wcll, that's funny. You can wipe
your eyes Oh my apron, If you want to-"
"Hcre's your doll = good rs new"
Id keep you mending dolls all the time.
| Have you got over crying ?"
eyes, child"
"Well. then, YOU must be hungry
I'm always hungry after good crv.
| Wait minute"
| She ran into the house to return with
It generous slice of bread and butter and
a piece of meat, and as she handed the
food to the old man, she said:
i've got to go in now, but wc'l To-
member that I've adopted you rs my
grandpa. Don't cry any more, and
come back tomorrow. Good bye,
| grandpa p
| "Good-bye |"
And mon who passed by saw m oil
IN with his face in his hands to hide
tears, and when they asked the
liter, child who stood by explained
-. "Why, sir, he's crying because he's
alone in the world, and little girl
8 adopted him. ."-Detroit Free Press