Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-12-06
New Series-Vol. % No. 40

got SO mad with this boy of mine, / clean
forgot it. We can't stir, nOhOw, till the
moon goes down.
While they were waiting, Sammy tried
to eXtrieate himfelf from his fathers
grasp, but he held him as in a wise of
iron. When the party started, he was
dragged along. Not word was ex-
changed as the men moved forward, but
when the barn was reached, at a sign
from the leader, two of them went for
ward to reconnOiter.
Its all right" they whispered, as
they returned; thar amt even a cur
dog apywhar about"
Very well; we'll fire the straw out
side the pens, and you, Jack, take the
inside" Wilson dragged Sammy in the
barn, and by the aid of. "a dark lantern,
heaped monstrous pile of shucks and
straw. He lighted match and silently
handed it to the boy. In an agony he
threw the match out of the open door.
Another was lighted and handed to him.
Light it, or I'll choke you to DEATH"
hissed his father in his ears. He invOl-
UNFAIRLY obeYed, but as the fame mount
ed up, he threw himself upon it, scat
tering the straw right and left, and cry
ing 'Firei tirer at the top of his voice.
He heard the steps of the men behind
him, blow fell on his head. and poor
Sammy remembered No more.
When he came to himself, the cold
wind was blowing on his face, and he
was lying on the ground with DR.. March
bending over him and several persons
around
Feel better Sam ?" asked the doctor
kindly.
"Is the barn burnt up?" he asked,
No, my bOy,thanks to you, suppose.
| was returning late from a patient,
when l heard the cry of fire. | found
you lying senseless on the barn floor, the
fire all around you. How did you get
hurt?"
Sammy lay for moment striving to
collect his thoughts. But his head ached
so violently, and he felt so weak and
sick, that it was some time before he re-
membered all that had occurred.
please, sir, don't ask me anything
he said, family. Il did cry lire, and L
did try my best to save your property.
can't tell you anything more, and L
wouldn't have done you nor Miss Lila
any harm for anything, sir.
Til quick eye of Dr. March noticed
the evasion, and the truth, or something
like it, dawned upon mis- mind.
81 know you have been hurt in defend
ing my property, Sam" he said. some
rutfian has hurt you. but L will ask no
questions how. Do you wish me to send
you hOme?"
"Oh mol oh no." he cried. Not there,
for Gods sake! Pappy will kill me-!
DR.. March knew the truth now
"Of course you snail not go home, he
said kindly "You shall be carried 10
nv house, and | and Lila will nurse
you. You're great favOrite of hers,
you hnow, and you're going to be
prime favorite of mine, you little hero
Had the poor boy been conscious.
would it not have been heaven to him?
He was placed in nice bed, and as in
d dream he saw Lilla's sweet, pitying
face bent over him. But he did not see
anything long. His wounds were mortal,
not only the injury he received from the
blow, but he was severely burned on the
body also. He fell in stupOr i'll few
h. urs from his removal. He'll never
rouse from it till he wakens in Eternity,
the doctor said. but he was mistaken.
Toward noon the following day Sammy
opened his eyes and looked around. They
rested on Lila, who was standing near,
her eyes streaming with tears. He tried
to smile, but his mind was wandering.
"Tell Miss Dare goodby for me, be
whispered. I'm goin' travelin', Miss
Lila, and l reckon | can't go to
school no more. You're good to me, and
L think heap of you-mOre'n anybody
in the world. I'll send you some purity
things when gets 20 the country where
I'm goin' It's sich a quick train
won't be no time gettin' thar, reckon.
No, not long getting therel A very
short time, indeed, before the little pain
racked passenger landed on the other
side of the turbulent river. What did
he send Lills from there? A tender,
helpful pity for all Gods creatures, how
ever mean and downtrodden they might
be. Remembering him, her girlhOod
and womanhood were rich with kindly,
unself1sh deeds.
Jack Wilson had some feeling, and
rage at the rutfian who had struck the
murderous blow probably had something
to do with his free confession of his in
tended crime and that of his accOmpll-
ces. But it also showed the dead boy
in his true light. A little hero who trI-
umphed over all evil surroundings and
teachings A pure. good heart which
made its way through the tangled web
of misery and sin, to clear, strong light
of truth aud love. Youths Companion.