Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1885-11-06
ND, OVENIBER 6, 1885.

| hen they decldeu now lney were
to escape, where they were to meet,
how Jane was to make bold to ask for
an extra piece" that day, pretending
the dog had stolen hers, and how Tom
was to hide half his dinner in his cap.
Then, as some summoning bell rang,
they parted-Tom. bright and brisk
with lis new ambition, poor little
Jane, limp with fear and remorse, but
determined to follow Tom, whatever
his fortunes might be.
At ten that night, Jane with a tear
swollen face. "a little bundle of calico
frock and red flannel petticoat under
her arm. and the child" clasped to
her heart, met Tom at the big tree
outside the poorhouse fence. There
was nothing to steal in the establish
ment: so, as 40 one ever wanted to get
ir, it was not very hard to get out.
Besides 1.-THE child" and the frock,
Jane bal her bread in bit of news
paper and Tom bad made quite bun
die of possessions. He bad his little
bag of corn and beans, fire shovel, a
shirt, his oil shoes and long stick
with a hook at the end, once the ham
/ lie of AN umbrella. On this he slung
all their joint property, exc pit the
Il II, and addressed Jane as follow:
"ReMem Der, nov. YOU are my wife,
aud must 10 exactly rs | say-thats $
the law: a,d must be good to you
md 90 all Il Z hardest wo;A but y'u
mnst cook aud m@nd fnr IN, and |
think you'd better begin to call me
husband right away.
YES, sobbed Jane. oh, isn't it
dark ?"
NO" said Tom besides il it is, all
the better. Well pet INTO the woods
before they catch us We shall be oat
OF town by daylight.
Then they walked on noor J,ne
stumbling often. but Tom held her
hand and did not let her fall. At
length the last little white h"use MAS
PASSED rheu came the church with
ITS tall spire, aud then long paling
fences about bits Of meadow land. They
we're in the country, but not Yet in the
woods. and both children were grow
ing very sleepy and very tired-so very
tired that finally there was nothing
for it but to sit down on the grass un-
der a ,haysiack. with Toms head on
james knee and go IA asleep"
Sunrise awakened them. They at.
their breai and butter, started on "A
gain. aud in a few hours the woods
were All around them.
"We're safe at last" cried Tom.
Nobody can ever find us here. I'll
build my house and plant my corn
right away. Do you knrw how long
II takes corn 10 grow: And beans :"
Ne" ventured Jane, doubtlngly-
mot long. guess"
Il guess not" echoed Tom but |
wish We had some more bread and
butter"
By aud bv the two explorers came
10 \ nice little spot in the woods close
to a pretty brook 1t was very damp,
but there MAS Il clearing which it was
easy to plant. Tom dug it over with
hi lire shovel. and put his beans and
corn in straight rows. Then, with an
oil Knife that was his greatest trea-
sure. he cat unlerbrush aud branches
enough 10 make u queer kind OF leafy
hut big enough for both to creep into.
We can ga, outdoors We shall
only want home at nights and when
il rains said Tom.
But Jane WAS doubtful. Her little
flesh was black and blue slready, and
vet the grass was long in the bayfield,;
here 1t Was sparse and dry. Besides
she wanted her warm milk and bread
aud butter. Tom found some buckle
berries near BY, but they did not help
the empty stomachs much, and even
at sunset the corn had not begun to
grow. neither did the beans show their
heals above the earth, Suddenly an
awful thought struck little Jane.
when it grows, Tom," she cried,
I'VE have no saucepan to cook it IN
More we haven I, SAID Tom. Then
hope dawned upon him. We could
roast the corn, said he, "and | bet
there's al apple tree about s"me,
where
They wandered about looking for
the tree or for more berries of some
sort. The tr,e did not appear, but at
last they found some berries-just one
or two AT time-and the poor chill
dren had nothing else 10 eat. Hungry
Tom could have devoured his own
shoes. Meek Jane, before she lay
down on the hard yet damp ground.
asked just one question
DO YOU think the beans VIII grow
tonight. Tom -
Il told you say "huSband,' said
Tom, then added, graciously, "Yes,
Ma" | suppose they will
Then Jane put "the child" close to
her cheek and slept the sleep of the
weary.
Good farmer Merton and his plump
wife, coming home from visit to
their married daughter about dark
next day, let the old mare walk as
slowly as she pie sed through the
woodpath. They lad had tea and
were III no hurry. Suddenly, amidst
the sobbing Of the little brook the old
lady heard II louder sobbing still.
"Pyter," said she, "there is child
crying"
"'Tisn't nothing bnt the water"
said the old man, whose hearing was
less sharp than his wife's.
ats child" persisted the old lady
81 VOW think see one sitting on the
fence. Stop the mare, Peter. Who
is there ~
ME, ma'am-Jane." said a little
voice. 81 heard carriage and |
thought it might be doctor. O,
please, he's so sick -
"Who is sick, DEAR" asked Mrs.