The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-03-31
Wasn't there bit of cheese left

from tea?" asked Miss Abigail.
Prudence thought there was, and ]
while she was fetching it from the cell
lar the boy gave himself a healthy
scrubbing at the pump, coming in from
his ablutiops fresh aud ruddy as rose.
He was Very hungry, there was no
doubt of, that he lookedx at Miss
Abigail With .aslepfecatingsm smile rs Pru-
dence carried off the bread plate for
third replenishings - g9 q. 81
IF nj pretty hungry" said he. s'This
is the first bite I've had since morning
and it tastes good"
To be sure it did. Miss Abigail
thought of little brother who died
years and years before, ere his tender
feet began to feel the pricks in LIES
path. How strange that the sight of
this little vagrant, satisfying his crav-
ing at her kitchen table, should bring
to her remembrance the child who had
so early put off the mortal for the inn
mortal. Presently. when the boy had
finished his repast, he la d his knife and
fork across his plate with a methodical
precision which it pleased Miss Abigail
to see; and then he glanced from Pru-
akimbo, to Miss Abigail.
you III NY SuDBCAp ooid llOs
MAY be I'd best be getting along. You
| don't want boy to work, do your
"A boy-to workr' echoed Prudence.
"Did everr'
"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.
"How far are you goingP" she asked.
~ don't know, ma am"
"And where have you come from"
proceeded Miss Alb gail.
prescott, ma am. Mother died
there three months ago" There was a
pathetic quaver in his voice.
And then, with little questioning, he
told his simple story. His name was
Barry Olmstead, and he was TIVE We
years old. He had lived in Prescott q
long time-he and his mother; they
were very poor, but they had kept n
little home together. His mother had
taken in sewing, and he had worked for
the neghboring farmers summers, and
gone to school winters. And he had
been happy, for all they were so poor,
until-mother died.
"Then Istopped with Deacon Staples
spell; he said he wanted to try me.
But they were going to bind me out to
him, and so | ran away"
None to blame, nuther," interposed
Prudence, with a great deal of empha-
sis. give seen old Staples, down to
Prescott. He's that mean he'd skin a
mouse for the hide and tallern
give been trying along for chance
to work" continued the boy, smiling
family. He was very near to tears
now, but he held them back sturdily.
"But there don't anybody seem tc
want me-"
Miss Abigail was moved more than
she would have cared to own by this
recital. Even to her, who had lived fol
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. II
! had grown dark now-the lamps haC
| long since been lighted; and there
, were mutterings of distant thunder il
the air.
Its going to rain" said Miss Abb
gail. "You needn't go tonight; you may
sleep in the stable loft"
Barry tn nked her.
1 The storm broke with great violence
3 And while Miss Abigail listened to thu
p sh rp peals of thunder and the pouring
n of the rain against the windows sh
a thought OF the lonely little wayfarer il
u the stable loft with new, strange throI
: of pity. Morning came, merry wit
bird song and glistening with myriad
u of rain drops. Prudence was up be
times, but early as it was, she hear'
n the sound of an AK in the woodshed
j. and when she opened the door Barr,
smiled at her from his post by the chop
ping block.
II don't think 1 paid enough for m
d supper-I eat such a lot" he said, IS
IS I've split some kindlings, and I'll mil
6 for you this morning you want me to.
$ Prudence brought the milk pail with
IS out word. But when she had prepare
n Miss Abigars morning meal, she mad
|, ready good, substantial breakfast 70
n Barry, also. When he had eaten it b
took up his hat crown.
- " Go out the way you come in" sal
/ Prudence, ar else you'll bring ba
! luck"
Barry gave a little incredulous laugh
- but he went out to the porch. Mis-
g Abigail was there taking deep breatt
e of the fresh air, and she babe him
o. kind "Good morning. as he went O
the step and down the path again b'
l. tween the lilacs, exuberant in growt
|. but meager in bloom.
y al wonder why my lilacs do NJ
d flower more freely" This Miss Alb
r. gail said to Prudence, who had followe
o to the door.
Ie 81 dunno" answered Prudence
y Barry he ird, and turned Il CUES
it's because you leave the old blossom