Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-10-18
TOWN POOR.

TOWN POOR.
TIames VI Hutchesou in Chicago Tribunel
They were both town poor. She had
been left in q basket at the gate OF the IN
stitution He had only come TO it year
before our story opens, clinging TO his dy-
ing mothers hand. She remembered
nothing but the bare walls and desolate
grounds of the poor house; the snubbings
and snappings Of matrOn and assistants;
the spare. Comfortless meals, and the
unhOmely like place that was the only
home she knew fIe had had glimpses Of
the world outside, and was. besides, two
years older-thaI was not very old, Tor
be was only 10
He was TO be bound out to a farmer;
she to some good bousekeeper, who would
promise TO teach her to read the Bible. No
one ever knew or cared whether the prom,
Use was kept but it sounded well, and
p eased certain people to exact It The
chief thing was to be rid of the expense
of these pauper children as soon as posi-
bic.
She was happier than he. for she was
more ignorant, besides, she had doll;
>uch a doll, Ii was a thick lump OF
wood, about two feet long, with holes
burnt into it for features. and looked
somewhat like an Indian idol. An old
lame sailor in the house had made it for
her, and had given the child yellow
silk rocket handkerchief. with hole in
the middle. to make dress for it She
put the head through the hole, tied bit
Of red and white cord she had found in
the doctors office about its waist. and 1t
was dressed All day long she carried it
about with her and at night 1t slept. as
she fancied. on her bosom. There were
times when she declared herself TO have
had troublesome hours with her doll,
who had not been well Of course she
never calle1 it Doll; it was always her
Child
There was knot hole in the wooden
fence between the male and female sides
of the poor house grounds He peeped
through one morning, and saw strange
child sitting with her doll on a large
stone
Il say" said he. come here.
She went 10 the fence at once
whats Your namer"
"Jane What's yoursH"
tom. You live here!"
Yes, Do you!'
Yes
.Whats that you've gotf"
MY child She isn't well TO day"
~Pother'"
mo she isn't
Are there any more little girls in
there?"
Three: but one has broken back and
goes to bed all the time; and two are big
ger than me and work. Are there any
BOYS in there?"
Lots hate EN- all They make fun
of me. "
Then | hate 'em. too. said she
He came closer to the fence
Are you hungry all the timer" he
asked
No. Every day before dinner she
gives me piGe.
She" was the matron. and "a piece :"
was slice of bread and butter
-Ah," said he. enviously. I'D like to
see any Of us ask for piece. I'm most
starved
I'll tell you what I'll do Next time |
get nv piece Ill give you half. You
come here tomorrow to this hole and Il
fetch it
-Aint you good" said the boy, admir-
ingy.
30 the friendship began Every day
the thick slice of bread and butter was
shared at the knot hole. 1t was a good
thing for Tom As for Jane. it was at
that knot hole that she learnt how un-
happy it was TO be a poor house child;
learnt that other little people had a
pleasant freedom unknown TO her. He
had lived in this outer world. had Tom
When? He only knew that it was before
L., r. 81. l.
and before his mother died Long. sedi-
tious talks did those two have concerning
the authorities of the poor house Once
Tom came to the knothole with great
red bruise across his face, where he had
been struck with rattan.
OTIS more on my shoulders said he.
Lame, when I'm big I'll beat that man
beat him till the blood runs. hate him !"
That day Jane wept compassionate tears
and gave Tom all her piece pretending
over, she stuck the ~Child's" head
through the hole and told Tom to kiss it.
But neither bread and butter nor kindness
more and more wretched He became a
young Ishmael in the poorhouse. He
was tOrmented by the small and fiogged
by the great At last he came to the
knot.hole one day. furious. unurterably
wretched, and told Jane that he was going
away.
Going away" said Jane
Going to run away said Tom. IF
they catch me aud bring me back I'll
hang myself to the hook over my bed,
but I'll try first III 20.
Jane burst into tears.
GO away" she sobbed And I'll
never. never see you any more. Tom"
Il didn't think about that, said Tom.
Don't cry. Jane
But she sobbcd faster.
Don't" said he; don't / say, Jane,
you come too. I'm going 10 be a farmer;
| shall want a wife Come with me
-What wife?"
You. answered Tom; you shall be
my wife.
What would have to dor"
"Why, you must call me Husband
instead of Tom. aud / must call you
Ma instead of :, ane must work and
yet you things. and you must cook and
mend my clothes
I've got ball of cotton and a big
needle, said Jane ~She gave en- to
NE
You Il come. them"
YES I'm afraid but, If could never
see you anymore. should cry all the
time
I'm going to lie farmer, said Tom.
"Well 90 to where there's land. and I'll
plant beans and corn I've got some put
by in a paper-bag l took it one day
When they grow I'll pick them III
build house big enough for US out of
boards or something. and we'll never
come back here again-never
Never q, dear and Jane began to
cry. After while she said softly, ~Uf
course shall bring the Child1"
20, yes. said Tom, -and all of your
clothes
Then they decided how they were to
escape, where they were TO meet, how
Jane was 10 make bold 10 ask for an extra
piece that day, pretending the dog had