The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-11-26

tight, lille, UGH elefcu-I tNlOtHy,
whats the matter, Marthy?" in
quired Timothy, coming around the
corner of the barn, with two pals of
foaming milk.
"Matter?" repeated Miss Martha,
sharply, "why Prince is gone. ex-
peet they've strolled off towards the
the woods, and something has ketched
him."
"Why, you don't saw exclaimed
Timothy, setting the pals down and
Strengthening his bent figure in sur
prise. "Come to think of it." said he,
81 did see the critters way down acrost
the medder, goin' towards IToopers
this afternoon. I was down that way
lOokin after the fences little. l didn' t
trouble to go after them, for they never
have failed to bring up night"
There" suddenly exclaimed Miss
Martha, "them Iloopers have got him.
That's just it. They're just low
mizzerble set. I kno,o they have she
concluded emphatically, as Timothy
was about to interpose something.
With this, she flew into the house,
nearly knocking poor Timothy over, as
in her wrath and excitement, she gave
the door vigorous push.
az neyer heerd bit what Jim Hooper
was honest mildly remarked Timothy,
as he sat himself down to the neatly
spread tea-table. al know he's poor
and ruther shiftless."
"ShUtless" snapped Miss Martha;
"lazy, more like"
"Well, don't know bout that, Marthy,
they've got several children, an Jim
an his wife are both kinder sickly."
"No business to have got married.
said Miss Martha grimly.
Clearly, the Hooper family were in
great disfavor, with the good lady. She
was positive that they had captured the
ministerial offering, the pride and glory
of her whole flock.
Timothy very wisely forebore to say
more upon the subject for the re-
mainder of the evening; although Miss
Martha, at intervals, referred to her
loss in terms that were rather I'M
complimentary to her neighbors. The
next morning Miss Martha went abont
her household duties, feeling out of
sorts with things in general, and the
Hooper family in particular. Her
work about the house done, she took
her knitting and sat down by the win
dow which commanded view of the
road
"Seems like snow" remarked Tim
othy, coming in to warm his hands at
the fire. ats kind of q still cold, an
there's heavy snow-bank down in the
SOUTH"
"For mercy's sakev' suddenly ex-
claimed Miss Martha. "Here's Prince,
and Il bow behind him." throwing down
her knitting and rushing to the door.
"Where in the world" she began,
then catching good glimpse of the
boy, she stopped. Such small boy!
scarcely larger than Prince. And so
very, very thin! and such scanty cloth
ing. The little bare hands were blue
and trembling, as he bravely grasped
the cord which was fastened to Princes
leg. of you please, ma'am, I'm Jhonny
Hooper. l knowed this was your tur-
key cause l saw little boy a-playin'
with him when I went past here one
day with father last summer. Sissy an
me found him last night, caught by his
foot in trap, just over in the edge of
the woods, where we went to pick up
some sticks. His foot Amt hurt much;
mother put some stuff on it last night"
Miss Martha was nearly speechless;
but she managed to say very, very
mildly; cts too cold for you to be
out; why didn't your father fetch
him ?"
Fathers sick; he's got the shakes
awful to-day, an got to go right home
an split wood for mother" said the
little fellow turning about.
YoW?" exclaimed Miss Martha,
"why you amt large enough"
con! yes. ma'am, am" brightly re-
piled the child, drawing up his little
figure Us he spoke. a. help mother
lots when fathers sick"
"Come right into the house and warm
yourself" said Miss Martha perempt-