The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-06-14
TRI-W EEKLY EDITION.
off the bread-platc for third replenish,

hlS.
''I'm pretty hungry" said he. "This
is the first bite I've had since morning
and it tastes goods"
TO be sure it did. Miss Abigail
thought Of little brother who died
years and years before, ere his tender
feet rbegan to feel the pricks III life's
path. How strange that the sight Of
this little vagrant, satisfying his cray
ing at her l!itchin table, should bring to
her remembrance the child who had so
early put off the mortal for tho immor-
tai. Presently, when the boy had fin
ished his repast, he laid his knife and
fork across his plate with mcthodical
precision which it pleased Miss Abigail
to see ana then he glanced from Pru-
dence, standing near her with arms
akimDo, to Miss Abigail.
"Thank you for my suppcr,n said he.
May be I'd best be getting along. You
don't want boy, to work, do you?"
- boy--to work." ECHOED Prudence
ssDid evcr!'
"No 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 SO long before.
y
VI don't know, ma 'am."
"And where have you come from?n
proceeded Miss Abigail.
''Trescott, ma'am. Mother died there
three months ago" There wasa pathetic
quaver in his voice.
And then, with little questioning, he
told his simple story. His name was
Barry Olmstcad, and he was twelve
years old. lie had lived in Trcscott
long timc-he and his mother; they were
very poor, but they had kept Il little
home together. His mother had taken
III 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
mother died.
"Tllen stopped with Deacon Staples
spell; he said he wanted to try me.
But they were gong to bind ne out to
him, and SO | ran away"
"Nonc to blame, nuther," intcrposcd
Prudence, with great deal of emphasis.
''l'vc seen old Staples, downto TreSc0tt.
He's that mean he'd skin mouse for the
hide and taIler!"
"l've been trying along for chance
TO work." continued the boy, smiling
family. lie 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 for
self SO long, there was something indc-
scribably pitiful in the thought of this
little wanderer battling alone with the
| world, butreted 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.
ITS going to rain," said Miss Abb
gail. "You needn't go tonight: YOU
may sleep in the stable loft.n
Barry thanked her.
The storm broke with great violence.
| And while Miss Abigail listened to the
sharp pcalS Of thunder and the pouring
| or the rain against the windows she
thought of the lonely little wayfarcr in
the stable loft with new, strange throb
| of pity. Morning came, merry with
bird song and glistcning with myriads
| of rain drops. Prudence was up betimes,
but, early as it was, she heard the sound
oI iin Ak in the wood shed and when she
opened the door Barry smiled at her
from his post by the chopping-block.
81 don't think paid enough for my
supper eat such a lot," he said, $50
! l've split some lindlings, and I'll milk
for you this morning if you want me to" "
Prudence brought the mlk-pai with
! out word. But when she had prepared
Miss Abgail's morning meal, she made
| ready a good substantial breakfast for
Barry, also. When he had eaten it he
took up his hat crown.
"Go out the way you came in, said
Prudence, i else you'll bring bad
| luck"
Barry gave little incredulous laugh,
but lie went out to the porch. Miss
| Abigail was there taking deep brcaths
| of the fresh air, and she babe him
| kind "GoOd morning" as he went off
the step and down the path again be-
tween the lilacs, eXuherant in growth
| but mcagcr in bloom.
81 wonder why my lilacs do not flower
more freely" This Miss Abigail said
| to Prudence, who had followed to the
| door.
81 dunno" answered Prudence.
Barry heard and turned. 81 guess
it's because you leave the old blossoms
on," lie said, hesitatingly. "Mother
used to say l must pick the blossoms off
one year, if 1 wanted any next"
And then lie went out of the gate,
closing it carefully behind him, and
along the moist, brown highway.
"That isa very uncommon bOy,n said
Miss Abigail, looking after him with
serious eyes.
eyes," asscntcd Prudence "he's y
clever 'nough little chap--for a boy"
"To think of his knowing about the
lilacs," continued Miss Abigail medita-
lively. 81 must cut off all the flowers
this spring."
cam he got as good Il mess o. milk
from the heifer as l. could ha' done N.Y.
self with well hand," Prudence went
on,
eyes, he would have been handy
about milking and getting the wood for
you," said Miss Abigail.
cam bringin' the letters from the
post-olce," proceeded Prudence. "It's
a good piece over to the village in muddy
walkin'."
ESQ it is,"'said Miss Abigail. She
gazed rcilectivcly along tho road WHICH