Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-05-03

held them back sturdily. But there dom
anybody seem to want me"
Miss Abigail was moved more than sh'
would have cared to own by this recital
Even to her, who had lived for selfso long
there was something indescribably palnfu
in the thought of this little wanderel
battling alone with the world, bufieted b,
fortune, drifting here and 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 Abigail
YOU needn't go tonight; you may sleeE
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 o
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 songs, ano
glistening with myriads of raindrops. Pru
dence was up betimes, but, early as it was
she heard the sound of an AK in the wood
shed. and when she opened the door Barry
smiled at her from his post at the choppine
block.
Il don't think l paid enough for my
supper eat such lot, he said; so I've
split some kindlings and I'll milk for you
this morning, if YOU want me to.
Prudence brought the milk-pail without
work. But when she had prepared Miss
AbigaiPs morning meal, she made ready a
good substantial breakfast for Barry also
When he had eaten it, he took up his hat
crown.
eco out the way YOU came in, said
Prudence, cor else you'll being bad luck.
Barry gave a little incredulous laugh,
but he went out to the porch. Miss Abb
gail was there, taking deep breaths of fresh
air. and she bade him a kind good-morn-
ing as he went off the step and down the
path again between the lilacS, exuberant
in growth but meager in bloom.
~ wonder why lilacs do not flower more
freelyY' This Miss Abigail said to Pru-
dence, who had come to the door.
Il dunno" answered Prudence.
Barry heard, and turned II guess its
because YOU leave the old blossoms on" he
said, hesitatingly. Mother used to say
must pick the blossoms off one year, if
wanted any the next"
And then he went out of the gate, clos
ing it carefully behind him, and along the
moist, brown highway.
THAT is very uncommon boy" said
Miss Abigail, looking after him with
serious eyes.
Yes" assented Prudence; he's a
clever enough little chap-for boy"
"To think of his knowing about lilacsr
continued Miss Abigail, meditatively. ."
must cut off all the flowers this spring"
AN he got as good mess o milk from
the heifer as could ha' done myself with
well hand" Prudence went on.
Yes he would have been handy about
milking and getting wood for you" said
Miss Abigail.
An bringin' the letters from the post
Office" continued Prudence. Its good
piece over to the village in muddy
walkin'"
So it is" said Miss Abigail. She gazed
rehectively along the road which wound
serpentine, to the little hamlet a mile
away. Barry was climbing the hill, a
mere, pitiful lonely speck in the distance
as he was mere Insignificant atom in the
great body of humanity. Miss Abigails
eyes filled.
We might have kept him." she said.
"Taint too late yet" put in Prudence
The two women looked into each others
eyes.
If you can make him hear" began Mis-
Abigail
For answer Prudence strobe to the road
and sent a long, quavering cry after Barry.
B-O-o-O-yW
But the little figure they were watching
plodded steadily on.
Gimme the old tin horn out 'er the
kitchen, Miss Abigailn' cried Prudence,
excitedly. "Quickw
Miss Abigail, staidS spinster that she
was, without thought of the ludicrous-
ness of the proceeding, ran to the kitchen,
snatched the horn from its nail, and ran
out with it to Prudence. And Prudence
put it to her lips, and blew blast 50 long
and so loud that it startled the birds into
silence and set the echoes ringing from
hillside to hillside.
He en- hear that if he en- hear any
thing" she muttered
He did. He stopped. Prudence -four
ished the horn in frantic excitement.
There was a moment of suspense; and then
Prudence turned to Miss Abigail, who was
standing by the gate.
- He's a-comin' back" she said.
When Barry, breathless with the haste
he had made, reached the cottage, Mis-
Abigail was on the porch.
" We made up our minds to keep you,
she said, :" so long as you don't give toe
much trouble"
" oh, thank you, aam" cried Barry
"a Indeed, I'll try to pleaser
/ am sure he has succeeded, for the lilacS
have been in bloom three times since that
morning, and he is with Miss Abigail yet
growing tall, and strong, and manly, as the
wears 90 by. He tills the bit of a farm
which had so long lain unimproved, and il
winter attends school at the village, where
he is in excellent repute He is 50 faith
full, and helpful, and kind, that Prudence
is fain to apothegmatize the horn after this
fashion:
IIarnsome is as harnsome does; an
you're deservin' of a bed o velvet, ole
horn, for the deed YOU done that day"
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Managing an Elephant.
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