The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-10-06
IN THE MIDDLE WEST.
A Story of Life in the Great
Mississippi Valley.
BY ALVA MILTON KERR.
tCopYR1GHT, 1886, BY THE A. N. KELLOGG
NEWSPAPER COMPANY
CHAPTER V.-CoNTINuED.

was scarcely pTODauie, aiii WV IVY
natured Harry, since any dlscrimha-
ton in ones own favor is seldom pam
fully vivid, only now and then mildly
protested against his mothers too
obvious unfairness. But beyond this
John Earring had no kinder friend or
one more loved than Harry Whitney.
Every thing that they possessed
was shared in common, though
this division, with an eye to- Its
perpetuity, was much guarded from
the ferret-like eyes of Mrs. Whitney.
That lady, in the presence of the mas
ter of the house, was ever patronizihg-
ly pleasant to their youthful ,penslon,er'
but lest John Earring should pass her
idol on the path of life, or out OF selfish
hatred that this hapless child should
live upon their substance, she LAID upon
him many grievous rules. One per-
hans more keenly like a lash than any
other, since John Earnings thirst for
reading seemed boundless from the
first, was that he should not share his
comrades books beyond the common
lesson of the day. This deprivation,
too. was doubled by the fact that Mrs.
Whitney purchased for her son books
in season and out OF season, DOCKS
suited to his years and books beyond
his comprehension. books that he liked
and books he would not read, which, in
the end, swerved from her evident
ambition to fatten her own son
mentally while leaving his COM
rade lean; for the generous Harry
would not have it so. and in this one
regard, feeling so acutely its injustice,
John Earling accepted them at his IN
sistence, and fed upon their contents
while Others slept, or in the wood
land under some protecting tree mad
many an enchanted hour. But how.
ever little others took cognizance OF
this condition of affairs, Absalom and
Ether were not so numbed of love and
its absorbing dreams as to be obliv-
ious. Very much alive they were;
softly directing Mrs. Whitney's mar
r rowness of action to her own confu,
sion oft, and sedulously offsetting hel
MIC eardliness by secret kindness tc
John Earring. Yet as the seasons
passed the lad dinched more and more
under the thorny burden of his depend
ence; often casting about in his mine
for some feasible means OF shifting 1t
But turn which way he would his homo
would not let him be ungrateful to HI
benefactor. Thus it transpired that
the age of twelve John Earring wen
one day to Joel Whitney's Office ant
told him pravely that he wished to g
to work.
"Pshaw!" said that blunt person
"keep to school, boz; keep to school.
"No,'' returned John Earring, ear
nestly, 81 want to arm my living, sli
can study in the evenings. :"
Joel turned his Arge person abou
upon his revolvingestool and looked
the boy in establishment. Then h
ierked sort of laughing chuck: "Why
what's the matterP Don't / furnis
you enough to eat? Think you coul
earn more, eh?'
mo, sir; that is notlt, said the DO.
looking down. 81 only want TO pa
you for your kindness, sir. ;"
Joel looked at him curiously a m
ment, and with another chuck deep
down in his great neck he murmure
''It's got the sand! true chips e
pected it." Then regarding the be
a little longer with misty sort of sta
he aroused himself. "Come in VIII
YOU come from school this afternoon
he said; .I'll think it over"
When John Earring entered tn
afternoon he had all his school-boo
in q package under his arm. Jt
noticed this and laughed: eve
spunk," he said, you're bound to
it, ehP' -,
81 want to, SIR" said the boy witt
emile.
"Well, I've concluded to comp
mise with you" said Joel, with twin
ling eyes You keep on with yc
school until you're fifteen, then y
can work in the store. How will ii
suit your
The boy turned little and stood
side the window looking ob!iquely il
the street, but evidently seeing nothil
Joel sat with his back against his d.
and watched the boy with a quizzi
look. Gould pay you by work
five years?" said the lad without tn
ing his eyes.
..Pay me for whatp"
''For what you have done for
sir
"Pshaw! I have done no more
you than l should, boy. If you ever
to work for me ] shall pay you
same as any one else.
But this to John Earring did
seem to cancel his obligation i'll
sense, for without seeming to motto
he said; 81 would rather begin n
but if you bid me, sir. | will wait u
am fifteen. Then if commence
fifteen and work until / am twel
and you will give me what book
need and my clothing, | would wor
out"
80, bother! you don't owe M
bawbee, boyr'
Eyes, do, sir, and | shall pay it
well, well, when you are tif
you can go to work. We will ii
some way and Joel turned to
desk. After the lad had gone he tut
his head and watched him pass up
street; not ambling like many boy
like wears. or running a little way
stopping to loiter like Others, but
clear and resolute step. When
passed out of sight Joel gave
nod and murmured again: "1es,
sandr' and at the end ofthe page he
writing, when he laid the blotter or
l. l.,rr Hctr