Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1886-11-11
The Two Charity Boys.

| can do is to adopt some little boy, ana
bring him up as our own. Here We
are. you and me, in Missoury, hun
dreds of miles from kith or kin, among
persons rs was time ago unknown to
us. We've worked and scratched and
saved until we've as nice home as the
whole of Clinton holds. Now, then,
| Daniel, when we get old and stiff,
who's there to take care Of it ? Do
you remember the day when we came
here from Fulton l reckon you
haven't forgot it no more than l. We
drove that pair of mules you bought
of Joe Smith. They were the balkiest
critters anyone ever drove. Them
were the only horse we had then, and
everything else was packed in one load,
Daniel wasn't it in our lower creek
them 'ere males kept us whole
| night p
No, it was in Ford's creek, about a
mile from here,' answered Daniel.
You remember, Keziah, that you kept
fusSing and worrying all the way, for
fear we wouldd't be home before night.
Just before we got to that creek | told
you we'd be aome in less than an hour.
didn't calculate then on spending the
night there, though. When we was
about half way across, them 'ere mules
stopped, and not peg did they move
till morning.
Yes, Daniel. a madder man than
you couldn't be found, just then. You
sorter cooled down after while, aid
went to sleep. Well, we started as
soon as the mules was willing. and
when We got to our log cabin, way back
in the woods, broke down and cried.
This was the lonesomest, dreariest
place anybody ever made a home out
of. You talked kind of cheering TO
me then, Daniel. and | soon took heart
again. We started out hand to hand.
Now at the end of score years we can
look around on well-fenced fields and
handsome house and barn, all paid for
except the mortgage you're to pay to-
NJ orrow. Now, Daniel. it amt more
than just to show our good feelings to
the Lord in some way, knowing that
he helped us to all this. He has prom
ised to reward us for anything we do
to His Lambs, meaning the children
that oyerhows our asylumS. Now,
Daniel Allen, don't you think you'd
better bring home one or two little Or
phans with you tomorrow p
Yes, Keziah, think | will. Any
way. I'll 60 down and see them.
There, wife, the clock is striking nine.
Time to 60 to bed. I'll be sure to
bring you a pet or two to morrow
night
Five O'Clock the next morning fOun
Daniel Allen behind pair of splendid
bays, on his way to Clintonyille. The
good old farmer felt at peace with him
self and all the world. His last pay
ment was due to day, and the money
to pay 1t was securely packed in his
montrous wallet. Henceforth the
broad fields and comfortable home were
to be all his +; he could raise his hand
and say
Il owe no man a dollar
During the time which elapsed ere
he reached the city Mr.. Allen thought
over every possible result of his wife's
proposition. His heart longei for the
sound of children's voices and laughter
resounding through his home, driving
away the gloom there and bringing
sunshine instead.
But he knew that Keziah's warm,
motherly heart would be bound up in
whatever child she should adopt, and
that she would crafty its every thought
if possible. He finally concluded that
he would take home two little boys, in
order that Keziah and he might have
one apiece.
When his business at the bank was
finished, he started for the 'LowOod'
orphan home. This was large char
liable institution for boys, under the
immediate supervision of friend
named Goodly. This gentleman was
very much pleased with the object of
Daniels visit, and Immediately sum-
moned the boys to his presence, when
the farmer picked out the two he wish
ed to adopt. The necessary papers
were made out, and Daniel took his de-
parture with the little boys, hence
forth to be known as BERTHE and Harry
Allen. Both of them were bright,
handsome children. BERTHE was shy,
blue.eyed child of six. HarrJ bold,
dark ,addie of ten years.
The boys were so very anxious to
hear about their future home that Mr.
Allen had to tell many times about the
barn full of hay and straw to play on =,
and the orchard with the creek run
ming through it. They listened with
delight to a description of Flora. the
black colt that would shake hands with
Mr.. Allen. They were glad to hear of