Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-03-15

precision which it pleased Miss Abigail
to see, and then be glanced from Pru-
dence, standing near her with arms
akimbo, to Miss Abigail.
Thank you for my supper, said he.
Maybe Id best be getting along You
don't want bog to work, do you ?"
"a boy-to work." echoed Prudence.
"Did l ever"
mo, we DON'T" said Miss Abigail,
shortly. And then-it was strange
enough that she could not help thinking
again of that frail little life which had
blighted in the bud 50 long before.
How far are you. gOing?' she asked.
| 81 don't know, ma'am."
And where have you come from?"
proceeded Miss Abigail.
"Treseott, ma'am. Mother died there
three months ago. There was pa
thetic quaver in his voice.
And then, with little questioning, he
told his simple story. His name WAS
Barry Olmstead. and he was twelve
years old. He lived in TrescOtt a long
time-he and his mother; they were ven
poor, but they had kept a little home to-
| gether. His mother had taken in sew
ing, and he had worked for the neigh
| boring farmers summers, and gone to
school winters. And he had been hap
py. for all they were so poor, until
mother died.
"Then stopped with Deacon Staples
spell !; be said he wanted to try me.
But they were going to bind me out to
him, and so ran away"
'NoDe to blame, nuther," interposed
Prudence, with 9 great deal of empha-
sis. I've seen old Staples down to
Trescott. He's thst mean he'd skin a
mouse for the hide and taller"
"Tye been trying along for chance
to work" continued the boy, smiling
family. He was very near to tears
now, but he held them hack sturdily.
But there don't nobody seem to want
me-" ..s
Miss Abigail was moved more than
she would have cared to own by this re-
cital. Even to her, who had lived for
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
or there, as 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..
"It's going to rain,a asaid Miss Abigail.
You needn't go tonight; you may sleep
in the stable loft"
Barry thanked her.
The storm broke with great violence.
And while Miss Abigail listened to the
sharp peals of thunder and the pouring
Of the rain against the windows she
thought of the lonely little wayfarer in
the stable loft with new, strange
throb of pity. Morning came, merry
with bird song. and glistening with my
riads of raindrOps. Prudence was up by
times, but, early as it was, she heard
the sound Of an ak in the wOOdshed |
and when she opened the door Barry |
smiled at her from his post by the chop |
ping block.
81 don't think paid enough for my /
supper-I eat such lot" he said, 50
I've split some kindlings, and I'll milk
for you this morning if you want me to"
Prudence brought the milk pail with
out word. But when she had prePar-
ed Miss Abigail's morning meal. she |
made ready good substantial break
fast for Barry also. When he had eat
en- it he took up his hat crown.
go out the way you come in" said
Prudence, or else you'll bring bad
luck"
Barry gave a little credulous laugh,
but he went out to the porch. Miss Alb
igail was there taking deep breaths Of
the fresh air, and she bade him kind
good morning as he went off the step
and down the path again between the
lilacs, exuberant in growth, but msa-
ger in bloom.
81 wonder why MY lilacs do not flow
er more freely" In;s Miss Abigail said
to Prudence, who had followed to the
door.
IL dunno" said Prudence.
Barry heard, and turned. IL guess it's
because you leave the old blossoms on"
he said, hesitatingly. Mother used to
say l must pick the blossoms off one
year, if l wanted any next. Il
And then he went out Of the gate, {
closing it carefully behind him, and
along the moist highway. Il
That is very uncommon boy" said
Miss Abigail, looking after him with
serious eyes.
YES" assented Prudence, she's a
clever 'nough chap-for boy"
ITO think of his knowing about the
ilacs," continued Miss Abigail medita-
lively. 81 must cut off all the flowers
this spring"
AN he got as good a mess O. milk
rom the heifer as could ha' done my
IN.
"Yes, he would have been handy
sbout milking and getting the wood for
Tou," said Miss Abigail.
"An' bringin' the letters from the
Postotfice," proceeded Miss Prudence.
Its good piece over to the village in
muddy walkin,."
$50 it is" said Miss Abigail. She
,azed refectively along the road which I
Wound, serpentine. to the little hamlet
. mile away. Barry was climbing the
ill, mere, pitiful, lonely speck in the !
distance, as he was mere. insignificant
tom in the great body Of humanity.
Miss Abigai's eyes filled.
I'VE might have kept him." she said.
"'Taint too late yitp' put in Prudence.
The two women looked into each 9th
RS eyes.
"If you could make him hear" began
Hiss Abigail.
For answer Prudence strobe to the
Dad, and sent long, quavering cry az
er Barry.
"B-o-o-oyw
But the little figure they were watch
ng plodded steadily on.
"Gimme the old tin horn outer the
itchen, Miss Abigaill" called Prudence
xcitedly. "Quickr
Miss Abigail, stsid spinster that she
vas, without q thought of the ludic-
business of the proceeding. ran to the
itchen, snatched the horG from its nail. d
nd ran cut with 1t to Prudence. And z