Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1886-01-28

a human"
"Where's the mother ?" asked q
man.
"I.ord knows; went Off two years q
60; but, bless you, she had them almost
as bad at times"
Bill soon reached home again, un.
locked the door, left himself in, and
was received with every mark of at
lection by q small boy and smaller
girl, both equally as dirty as himself.
"I'Ye got you such prime supper" "
he said, taking the newspaper cover
from the yitusls which he had bought
at the cook shop. "you must eat 1t fast,
and then 40 to bed in case father comes
home; he don't like to find you up"
He gave the children. each portion
of meat and bread, then sat watching
them.
"Ain't you going to eat nothing p''
asked Bill's little brother, looking at
uiH Ill BTcdI SUI pIlSe.
"Not yet; don't feel hungry" and a.
gam the cruel cough shook him.
Supper oyer, the children went to a
mattress at the further end of the room
and laid themselves down Bill pu lied
the dirty coverings oyer them, kissed
both their grimmy faces, then wished
them good night, ''and if fsther wakes
you when he comes in," he added,
don't you let him know it."
For time the children were restless,
but at length they sank to sleep, their
dirty arms folded saround each other,
their dirty cheeks pressed together.
Little Bill sat watching them for a
time then rose, drank some water from
out broken pitcher, and set out the
remainder Of the food.
"Father may like it when he comes
in" he thought, and then went back to
watch the children.
After time he heard a!step upon the
stairs, heavy stumbling step, but he
did not move, and when a man rolled
rather than walked into the room, be
just lifted his eyes and looked at him
quietly, keenly ; then rose, crossed the
room and gently drew the man to q
chair.
Head bad, father P" he asked.
"Duced bad" the man answered
shortly.
Something was evidently the matter
with little Bills father, ague perhaps,
for he shook all over, only his head and
hands jerked themselves more than the
rest of his body, and now and then his
arms shot out spasmodically bis face
was gray, and great beads OF perspira-
tion rolled down it; his eyes wandered
round the room, as though seeking for
something feArfully.
"I'll just put bandage on y'ead, -
said Billy quietly; "there amt nothing
like it. What are you looking at. faith.
I or ?''
The man had risen and stood gazing
In horror at the floor. Bill made him
sit down, aud hastily bound dripping
rag round his hedd.
sis it rats, father ?" he asked.
The man shivered more than ever.
"Yes, look, they're coming on to
me-"
He gave great scream, and would
haYe leapt up, but the child's hands re-
strained him.
"There is many, father" he said,
quietly and naturally; "but, bless you,
they won't hurt see, shey are quite as
close to me as they are to you."
The mans head shook so that the
wonder was it did not drop off; and hi
glared up into the boys face.
There was snch strange things a.
bout tonight, Bill" he whispered,
''lions aud tigers all after me-"
Bill expressed no surprise, but
thought a minute.
"That's very like" he said at last
II did hear as menagerie had got
loose; did you run. father ?'
"And snakes" said the man, MOI
needing the question.
"Ah, to be sure, there would be
snakes" then following the mans eyes
which opened wider and wider till they
almost seemed as though they would
drop out, ''you don't happen to see AL 4!
Of them now, do you. father ?"
He pressed his hand more Tight,
down upon th. mans shoulder, ant
wetted the rag once more.
"Ttere's Millions" the man an
swered, sail a-coming this way; let mt
CO."
| He wrenched his collar from th
chlld's hands, but he caught him b,
the arm.
Father he said, "dear, dear faith
er, stop bit =; they won't hurt you
they're-they're tame snakes, and
want to tell you what I think bring
them here"
The man sat down again, his eye