The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1885-10-08

no 8 real pct tn0ro. uSeu W 10
afraid he was kind Of dazod-but don't
you bother, Bill, hos all right, for he
takes to playing now. Hos only quiet
on account of his natural swcotness-
all real good children's that way-and
love him, Just rs if ho was my own
baby"
On 4ho next trip up tho North River
Bill Forster pondercd great deal over
tho child. Tho fact is, tho child, whoth-
or he was awake or asleep, was mover
for moment out of Bill's mind. He
had never thought much about any
thing before, and it was hard work for
him to think at all. Maybe because
for moro than ono-half of life his brain
had been muddlod by liquor he had
never set it working. AS the empty
sloop tloatcd up the broad river, slow
ly moving with the tide, Bnl sat in tho
shade of tho Mapping Jill and argued
with himself, aud tho general conclll-
sions he arrived at wero by, no means
hattering TO himself.
Tho beginning and tho ending of
this hero Is rum. I've wasted nigh on
to 25 years of my life. Why hasn't tho
boom of that mainsail Knocked tho
stupid brains out of mo before thisP
What have got to show for 40 year OF
lifeP just these hero ragged and brick
soiled clothes l stands in. Came near
numbering child, did you, you good
for-nothng boastP Didn't have no
better sonso nor thatp A herding with
drunken sailors, you big blackguard,
and not knowing nothing bctterP Just
fitten TO toss bricks from on and of
sloop. That's the best you kin do.
You took Il drink this morning, and
you fool sharp sot for another just this
blessed minute. You can't get it be-
cause you are on tho river where grog-
shops ain't floating round. Amt you
man enough to 90 to Havcrstraw and
no matter what happens say Bill For
stcr, don't you take another drink no
mattor If another fellow docs stand
treatP There's lots Of things that kid
wants. There's n whip, likewise pair
mel potticoats and wool socks, likewise
Christmas presents. Now, you loafer
of a Bill Forster, every time you SEQ
the bottom of glass amt you guz-
zling down something that little shay
er wantsP Maybe it's just like you, you
white-livcred purp; you'll bo letting
your sister be taking of tho Victuals
out of her own mouth so rs to food en-
to that child, and it was me as showed
tho kid on her. Maybe you'll be hunt
ing around for moro babies to knock
over with bricks you good-for-nothing
lounging Portuguee."
When Bill had called himself Port
uguesc he had poured tho last drop
from his private vial of wrath on his
own head. Bill helped to load tho
sloop WIN Drlck at Havcrstraw, ana
although h it was hot. sultry day and
the work was heavy, he never took
drink. The other hands might como
back, smacking their lips and banter
ing him, but he stood firm.
mo use, boys" said Bill. II did
the business for that baby-and onco is
enough. l have got to take .kccr of
him. 1t stands to reason. None of
you is family men like me. kin stand
rs much running rs tho bost of you,
but don't you try and rub it in too
steep! l hain't tho reputation of being
sweet-tcmpcrcd, and mcbbc | kin teach
some of you manners"
1t must bo stated that there really
was no necessity for Bilps excited
words, for tho hands on the sloop seem
cd to take in the situation at once, and
rather respected the way Bill assumed
his sclf-imposod duties.
Down the river Bill was thinking
what namo the child ought to have.
Should it be George Washington, Ulys-
ses Grant, OF Moses? He know all tho
names OF tho steamboats, going up to
Albany, and to call the child "Albany'
or ''Vibbard' was suggested to him.
AT last he made up his mind that Molly
should have tho naming of the child.
"She's got most rights to him, any
ways" Thon he felt kind of mclan-
choIy with the idea that somebody
might como later and claim the child.
Bill had never read n story book in his
life, so no romance of q rich father and
mother coming in carriage to demand
their lost baby presented itself to his
imagination.
Bill became parsimonious, and that
week saved almost every cent of his
wages. He begrudgcd himself cvon
the tobacco he chowcd. Ho only kept
| sufficient money for his most mcaoro
wants. Ho never took drink and de-
clinod being treated. 10 Molly he gavo
his money.
Sure enough, tho little boy, when
Bill noXt saw him, had on n now frock,
and with what pride Molly exhibited
him to her brother!
"He just looks like daisy, Molly.
ish nc pretty! hlnd OF sleepy, amt
he, MollyP"
"Ho does sleep a good deal, but
that's natural, Bill. Much you know
about babies! But, Bill, what's this
pile of money forP amt spent all
you gayo mo yet. | don't want it and
tho child don't. His cost for koop is
so little. It's mighty good of you, Bill:
and now and thon you can give him q
bit of clothes. AS you say, when Win
tor comes tho poor little lamb will want
thicker things, and they cost moro
money. Here, amt going to take
this, dcpriving you of your, hNrd6arnod
wages and Molly made n motion as
if to return the handful of silver
'But, Moll, just hold hard minute.
lilo mayn't want it now. Supposin'
work was slack and | didn't earn moth
ing. You have got to keep the cash
Tor tho timo tho boy grows. He's got
TO go to school, and has got to look as
nice NICE rs any other boy. He's to be he'd
HlcatGd-know something moro nor
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