The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-10-24
BY JAMES NJ. HUTCHINSON.

Woula promise 10 teach her to read the Bible.
 She was happier than he, for she was more ignorant, besides, she had a doll Such doll It was a thick lump oi wood, about two feet long, with holes burnt into it for features, and looked somewhat like an Indian idol. Of course she never called it Doll; it was always her child"
 There was knot-hole in the wooden fence betwee1 the male and female sides of the poor-house grounds He peeped through one morning, and saw a strange chlid sitting with her doll on large stone
 /" say," said he. "come here"
 She went to the fence at once.
 Whats your name?'
 :" Jane. What's yours ?"
 Tom. You live here ?'
 Yes. Do your"
 "Yes."
 Whats that you've go.?"
 "My child. She isn't we'll today"
 "Bother?'
 No, she isn't"
 Are there any more little girls in there2"
 Three; but one has broken back and goes to bed all the time; and two are bigger than me and work Are there any boys in there?'
 Lots l hate 'em all. They make fun oF me"
 Then hate 'em, too," said she.
 He came closer to the fence.
 Are you hungry all the time ?" he asked.
 "No. Every day before dinner she gives me piece"
 She" was the matron, and a piece ," was slice of bread and butter.
 An !" said he enviously, "I'd like to see any of us ask for piece. I'm most starved"
 " l'll tell you what I'll do. Next time l get my piece I'll give you half You come here tomorrow to this hole and I'll fetch it."
 "Aint you good v said the boy ad- miringly.
 So the friendship began. Every day the thick slice oi bread and butter was shared at the knot-hole. It was a good thing for Tom. As for lane. it was at that knot-hole that she learnt how un- happy it was to be poorhouse child learnt that other little people had pleas. ant freedom unknown to her. He had lived in this outer world, had Tom. When! He only knew that it was be- tore his father went to the war and was shot, and before his mother died. Long seditieus talks did those two have con. cerning the authorities of the poorhouse. Once, Tom came to the knot-hole with a great red bruise across his face, where he had been struck with rattan.
 " Lots more on my shoulders" said he, ' lane, when am big I'll beat that m an beat him till the blood runs. hate him !'
 That day Jane wept compassionate tears and gave Tom all her " plece," pre- tending she had had double allowance Moreover, she stuck the "Child's head through the hole and told Tom to kiss t. But neither bread and butter nor k ndness could help Tom very much. He grew more and more wretched He became young Ishmael in the poor house. He was tormented by the small and hogged by the great A. last he came to the knot hole one day, furious wretched, and told lane that ae was going away.
 Going away '" said lane.
 "Going to rua away" said Tom. "IfI hey catch me ard bring me back Iii 1ang myself to the hook over my bed put I'll try first. I'll go."
 Jane burst into tears.
 Go away!' she soboed. "And I'll ,ever, never see you any more, Tom"
 :" didn think about that said Tom. Don't cry, Jane."
 But she sobbed faster.
 Don't" said he; "don't! say, 1 ane, you come too! I'm going to be 1 armer; l shall want a wife. Come with ! ne"
 sWhats a wife p
 "You," answered Tom you shall be ny wife.
 What would have to do 2'
 Why, you must call me husband nstead of rom,' and l must call you ma instead of 4ne.' Imuss work and ! ,et you things, and you must cook and nend my clothes"
 five got ball of cotton and big eedle," said Jane. ''She gave 'em 10 ner
 You'll come. then?'
 Yes. I'm afraid 5u, if could never ee you anymore, l should cry all the me"
 I'm going to be flrmer," said Tom. We'll go to where there's land, and I'll | liant beans and corn. I've go, some pu, y In psper-bag took it one day. When they grow I'll pick them I'll | uild house big enongh for us out of oards or something, and we'll never ome back here again never"
 Never Oh, dear P ard Jane began 3 cry. After awhile she said softly, sOf curse shall bring the child ?" "Oh, yes," said Tom, |" and all of your loshes." |