The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-09-22

| L ne mite was ntteu with n decent suit
of clothes, and finally arrived at the
place where there was plenty to eat; as
happy as king, and ready ito worship
the kind old gentleman who bad res
cued him from his miserable street life.
He was called Harvey, row, and soon
ceased to deserve his old appellation.
He did willingly whatever was given
him to do, but his chief delight was the
sleek span of bays, Kitty" and jess, i"
WHO occupied comfortable quarters in
the large barn. He watered, and fed,
and groomed them untiringly, and when,
sitting beside his muster in the new
spring wagon, he was allowed TO hold
the reins, his cup of bliss was full.
Dnt one day trouble appeared in the
shape of rough looking fellow who APP
piled to Mr.. Adams for work. 1t was in
the busy season, and he was engaged
without much attention to references
For time all went we'll, but Mr.. A ans
soon discovered that his new hand had
a trick of beating the horses, kicking the
COWS, and otherwise maltreating the ami
mails about the place; and, being hu.
name man, be dismissed him with leo
ture upon the wickedness and cruelty of
his conduct.
Then the farm hand became abusive,
and swore with many oatbs that he
would have revenge. Mrs, Adams was
alarmed, and begged her husband to
have the man arrested, but he only
laughed at her fears saying
I'"Oh, such talk never amounts TO any
thing"
One lovely afternoon in autumn, Har-
vey had half-holiday, and he wandered
along through the woods, drinking in
the beauty around him; the gorgeous
tints of the trees, the purple and gold of
the wood flowers at his feet, and the
dreamy blue of the sky that showed in
patches overhead.
stiffness, and Harvey, peering through
the bushes, saw the man who had work.
| ed for Mr.. Adams, and another man, still
more rough and evil,looking, lounging
upon the ground with their guns beside
them. They had built fire, Rt which
they were cooking some rabbits; and as
Harvey looked, dog bounded through
the underground and crouched down be-
side it.
The men were discussing plan which
made Harvey's heart beat so violently,
as lie listened, that he shivered with
dread lest they should hear it and dis
cover his retreat
They had decided 10 burn Mr.. Adams
barn, in which was stored all the fruits
of his long summers work, and the ex-
farmland added, contemptuously-
"Sipce be sets such store by his horses
and cows, it will be a mercy to send them
where they will never be abused any
more. There's 'Brindle' and Daisy and
Rose, besides the horses, that ought to
keep good Mr.. Adams family in roasted
meat for some time to come"
The two wretches burst into loud
laugh at this sally, and at the same time
the branch upon which Harvey was
leaning broke with sharp crack. Even
then be might have escaped, but the dog
sprang up with low growl, and mo-
ment later the unfortunate lad was held
a most unwilling prisoner.
Poor Harveyl as he looked up into the
cruel, scowling faces of his captors, he
felt that he could hope for very little
mercy from men who could deliberately
plan to roast alive unoffending, helpless,
animals. Indeed, the rougher of the two
men advised that Harvey should be put
out of the way at once.
"He's heard what we've had to say,
and he'll blab. Dead men, and young
ones, too, tell no tales" he added,
grimly, seeing that his companion hesi-
tated.
"Dut we might swing for il" objected
the farm hand. See, here, young one,
we'll let you go scot free on one condi-
ton. You hold up your hand and swear
like show you, not to breathe word OF
what you've heard, or by -, you'll
not live long enough to say your pray
ers." He picked up bis gun as he spoke,
and held the muzzle against Harvey's
breast.
Poor Harvey A sickening feeling oi
fear and faintness seemed to stihe his
breathing, and arrest his very heart
beats. The cruel, determined faces ol
the men, seemed like demons, and he
looked around the lonely woods, then al
the gun, and then he took the awful oatl
which the man bade him rep' at, that he
would not reveal anything they had said
He was at last allowed to 60, and the
farm hand called after him
81 say, young one, you can tell wher
the deed is done. and don't you forget it
want the old man to know who his goot
luck comes frem;' and he added to hi
companion, "no danger of his giving III
. away, he's got no more pluck than {
Q chicken, and he's scarf most to death. "
When Harvey reached home, suppe
was laid in the large kitchen. Mollie
the "help," was turning flannel cakes
: Mrs. Adams was pouring the tea, anC
Mr.. Adams turned from the sink, wher,
he had been washing his hands, auC
spoke with genial smile
; "Well. Harvey, my lad, did you hav,
: a good time? Had nice walk, eh?"
"Yes, sir-no, sir,-part OF the time,
stammered poor Harvey, with such I
/ miserable face that the good farmer start
o ed in astonishment, and Mrs. Adams
g noting his pale face and trembling
3 limbs eXclaimed-