Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1885-09-17
@TOwN POOR"
How Jane ard Tom Went to
Housekeeping and Farmirr.

Housekeeping and Farmlrr.
They wore both "town poor" She
had been left in basket at the gate Of
the institution. He had only come TO
Il yea before our sto-y opens, cling
ing to his dying mothers hand. She
remembered nothing but the bare walls
and desolate grounds Of the poor
house; the snubblngs aud snappings OF
mairon and assistants; the spare, COM
fortress meals, and the unhome.like
place that WAS the only home she
knew. He had had glimpses Of ;ie
world outside. aud was, besides, two
years older--that was not very old, for
be was only ten.
He was to be bound out 10 farmer;
she to some good housekeeper, who
would promise 10 teach her to read
her Bible. No one ever knew or cared
whether the promise was kept but IL
rounded well, and pleased certain peo-
pie to exact it. Tue chief thing was
60 be rid OF the expense of these
pauper children as soon as possible.
She was happier than he, for she
was more ignorant; besides, she had
dclll Such doll 1t was a thick
lump OF wood. about two feet long
with holes burnt into il for features,
and looked somewhat like an Indian
idol. An old lame sailor in the house
had made il for her. and had given the
child n yellow silk pocket-handker.
nhtOf with k..la l.. Nha r..fN.NfU a.
make dress for il. She put the head
through the hole. tied bit OF red and
white cord she had found in the doc
tors oliice about rs waist, aud il was
dressed. Ali day long sire carried II
about with her. and at night It slept.
Ms she fancied. on her bosom. There
were times when she declared herself
10 have had troublesome hours with
her doll, who had not been well. OF
course, she never called il Doll; Il was
always her Child"
There was knot hole in the wooden
fence between the male and female
sides OF the poor-house grounds. lie
peeped through one morning and saw
strange child sitting with her doll on
large stone.
Il say" said he, ''come here"
She went to the fence at once.
Whats your nameg"
''Janc. What's yours7"
"Tom. You live here?"
"Yes. Do your"
'.Yes."
''Whats that you We got2"
''My child. She isn't well today"
''l'oiherv
''No. she isn't"
Are there any more little girls in
therc?r
~ hrec; but one has a broken back
and goes TO bed all the time; and two
are bigger than me and work. Are
th re any boys in there?"
=. OTIS. hate err all They make
fun Of me" 1"
Then hate 'em. too" said she.
lie ceme closer to the fence.
Are you hungry all the time?" he
asked.
mo. Every day before dinner she
gives me piece"
She" was the matron. and "a piece"
was a slice OF bread and butter
''Ah" said he. enviously. "I'd Ike
20 see any Of us ask for piece. I'm
most starved y
I'm tell YOU wat I'll do. Next
time get my piece III give you half.
You come here tomorrow to this hoe
and I'll fetch IT,
"Ain't you goodr' said the boy, ad.
mirngly.
so the friendship began. Every day
the thi9k slice OF bread and butter was
shared at the knot-hole. Ii was a good
thing for Tom. As for Jane. il was at
that knol-hole that she learned how un-
happy II was 10 be a poor-house child;
learnt that other little people had a
Pleasant freedom unknown to her. He
had lived in the outer world, had Tom.
When? He only knew that il was be-
fore his father went 10 the war and was
shot and before his mother died. Long,
fedit Gus talks did those two have con
ccrn'ng the authorities Of the poor
house. Once Tom came TO the knot
hole with great red brulse across his
face, where he had been struck with a
rattan.
''Iots more on my shoulders" said
he. Jane. when I'm big In beat
that man--beat him till the blood runs.
i hate himl"
That day Jane wept compassionate
tears. and gave Tom ali her piece, " pre-.
tending she had had double allowance.
Moreover, she stuck the 'Child's" head
through the hole and told Tom TO kiss
H. hut neither bread and butter nor
kindness could help Tom very much.
lie grew more and more wretched. lie
becrme young Ishmael In the poor
house. He was tormented by the
small aud logged by the great AT last
he came TO the knot hole one day, fu-
rlous. unutterably wrefched. and tod
Jane that he was going away.
''Going awayr' said Jane.
''Going to run away" said Tom. 'If
they catch me and br'ng me back IN
hang myself 10 the hook over my bed,
but IN try first I'll 60"
Jane burst into tears.
''Go awayi' she sobbed. "And I'll
mover. never see you any more. Toni
II didnt think about tha., said
Tom. "Don cry, Jane"
But she sobb,d faster.
''Don'tr sad he; don't. / say.
Jane. you come. 700, I'm goiag 70 30
q iarnler: shall want wife. Come
with me.
Whats q wifeP"
''fom answered ,fom; 'you shall |
b, my wife
''Nhat would have 10 do?"
Why, you must call me Husband |
instead Of Tom. pnd must call you
MA instead OF Jane | must work /
aud get you things. ap you must cook
1nd meni mx olofhuA'
.'Ire a haI Of coitln and big
nfel|o, said Jane "she gave 'om 10
na
s.fon'Il come. ihnnPf