Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-08-19

up the cudgels for drunkard's brats ?"
At that. Davv Cartwright turned in the
door and faced them all, his breast heav-
ing. his big dark eyes flashing through
the tears in them. His first outburst had
surprised no one more than himself; but
now, perhaps because the novelty of feel
ing that he had a supporter gave him
courage, the pent up trouble and anger of
weeks rolled forth in bitter torrent
which he did nothing to stay.
II suppose YOU mean I'm drunkard's
brat I" ne cried. You've called me that
plenty o. times, all of you. for me to
know it. Maybe be; but whose fault is
the drink that makes a drunkard of him
Who pays him in rum for his work. when
we-when mothers all out o. -four to
home? He's good to as when he isn't
drunk, father is. but when''-quick as a
fash the boy stripped his sleeve above his
elbow. showing long. livid bruise upon
his thin arm-'.when he, when"
He stopped. suddenly choking up, and
almost frightened at what he had said.
Near him Mamie was crying softly; and
a recollection flashed over him.
"Oh, I'm sorry," he said. penitently.
Il didn't know didn't think about its
being-your father"
And then before there was time for any,
thing more except dark menace from
Jack, the school-bell rang.
But from this time forward Davy Cart
wright felt that he had one friend among
the score and ten scholars there. A val
liant champion she was. indeed. this little
Mamie Larcom. with tender. loving
pity for the oppressed. She was nine years
old-a pretty child, though delicate as a
flower; and for this reason she was not
allowed to attend school regularly. But
thereafter the days when she did come
were red letter days to Davy. On occa-
sions when the weather was unpleasant
she would bring to school a dainty lunch,
and this she always shared with him at
noon, never minding, though he felt it for
her, when the others laughed.
And so, because of this little sweet that
mingled with the bitter in his cup, the
boy could not be glad when the summer
and the school were done together.
Meanwhile instead of growing better as
Mrs. Cartwright had hopefully predicted,
things grew steadily worse. Losing his
constant employment, David Cartwright
lost courage as well and became morose
and fretful.
What's the use?" he questioned surli-
ly, often and often through the summer,
"a day here an another there amt drop
in the bucket. We nights well give up
an come on the parish first as last"
And what he did earn went fol the pois-
on which kills mems souls no less surely
bap fhnir \, 30 do
her own hard, unremitting toll had at
length to supply the barest necessities Of
living.
"l've kept it from We, Davy, all could"
the poor mother said to her boy as the two
talked it all over after the closing of
school. Don't mind my cryn', dear; it
amt things re worse n common; it's the
relief O. lettin' it out couldn't bear We
to lose the first little chance for schoolin'
we've had, Davy, but now"
Now. I'm going to work, too. mother"
Davy said, Strengthening his slight figure
TO its utmost height. I'm most a man,
you know-if could just put two more
inches on this shortest leg O. mine. You'd
ought to've told me, though. mother; |
never thought it was so-bad. But I'll
work. now"
He did work, as busily as might be
through the days andweeks that followed.
tightening sensibly his mothers burdens.
lie brought water from the river for the
washings ;he caught drift stuff, the shingle
blllets, slabs and edgngs, that foated
down from the mills above,-using the
best of the latter to batten cracks in the
walls OF their shakv tenement and make 1t
more comfortable for winter, and the rest
for wood. Withal he held cheerful res
olution that quite buoyed up his mothers
spirits, keeping his own troubles shut close
IN his own breast the while. Little she
guessed what an effort it cost him, what a
torture it was to oe obliged to face dozen
or more of those laughing, soothing boys
who had been his schoolmates. as he car
ried home the various washings week by
week. Sometimes, not often in these
trips. he met little Nan Larcom; and then
it seemed to him the day. however dark,
grew brighter and his burden easier to
carry. because of the sunny smile and
kind word she always had for him.
&c be continued