The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-09-29
IN THE MIDDLE WEST.
A Story of Life in the Great
Mississippi Valley.
BY ALVA MILTON KERR.
ICoPYRIGHT, 1886, by THE A. N. KELLOGG
NEWSPAPER COMPANY.l
CHAPTER IY.-CoNTrNUEp.


said: "Well, come in. You ought to
see him; you've come far enough, and
no mistake" And Absalom entered,
his face shining with gladness through
it's coat of soil, and followed the lady
up the stairway to John Earring
room. Entering that small apartment
he slid along the wall with his hands
working behind him until he reached
the bed, and looking a moment at the
pretty sleeper his eyes filled and he said:
"Gotly! he's growedH' Mrs. Whitney
standing by the door bit her lip with
desire to laugh, and when the boy
turn ed with a sigh and came out, she
opened the door into an opposite
larger room and said: "Here is an
other you ought to see." And Absalom
going stealthily up to the bedside said:
Hes purity, too; looks like his pap"
Yes" said Mrs Whitney, trihe
more soberly, she resembles his faith
er." .
"How do you know how his father
looks?" she asked, as they descended
the stairs.
''Oh, | seed him in Ohier," said the
boy, rather indifferently, looking round
us they came into the sitting-room.
Then he went out and sat down upon
the edge of the porch and was silent.
After time Joel Whitney, accom-
panied by Ether Popp, came up the
street. The girl was tittering at some
humorous chaff he was Kidding himself
of, and when they came upon the
porch he suddenly stopped short, and
looking down at the small combination
of tatters and dust he burst out with:
Sulphur and smoke! what's this
you've got, Mary?" The woman sit
ting inside the door only gave a low
laugh in reply. Then he stopped down
and looked at the boy, who turned his
bright eyes upon him soberly. ''Why,
it's aliver' said Joel Whats your
name, my lad?'
'tAb Heater NV Ohier."
(Which way?"
81 iist come to see Their kid"
"How did you get here?"
Grid, fit and run"
"Fit9 What did you fght?"
"Dogs and buffers"
Then Joel sat down in chair and
shook with laughter. Have you eaten
any thing latelyp" he asked.
"Yesser."
"When?"
Yesterday"
"Yesterday3 Mary, have you given
him any thing?" said Joel, little re-
proachfully.
why, no." said Mrs. Whitney, Il
didn't think of it,"
Come in here" said Whitney,
SOLDERING. eff you haven't got the sand
none of 'em has. What's the mat
teI?" he asked, noticing that the boy
limped.
.'Stun- bruises" said the laconic Abb
SALON.
Then the man laughed again, look
ing at the ragged boy compassionately.
Here, Ether" he said, ''fy round
and get him some good hot victuals.
Come out with me to the pump and
wash yourself, my boy"
When washing himself Absslom
said: What ails that girlp'
what girlP" said Whitney.
"lhe one as you tole to git the
grub
why, not any thing, guess.
Why?"
Her eyes is left-handed on both
Sides"
Then Joel went in with his generous
bulk shaking again. Presently the boy
was seated at the kitchen table, his
shock of hair looking very wild, and
his sun-burned nose glistening from its
late application Of soap and water.
His eyes followed Ether soberly about
the room as he gulped down the food,
without seeming to chew it much or
consider its palatability. Joel came in
with twinkling eyes and sat down By
the table. "How long have you been
on the way?" he asked.
Bout month, | guess
'Did you have much troubled"
Some then after a moments sill
ence: 'Drat'er
"Who?' said Joel, smiling.
'Oh, a woman when WIS COMM"
'Sieked 'er sheep onter me-"
You mean dog, don't you?"
mo, it was sheep. went in a |
!ard to Ak woman who stood in the |
door to gimme somethin' ter cat, an
she said: Sick i'm, Toni Sick i'm,
Tom. looked around fur the dog,
but blamed if the dog want a sheep, |
an it come tearin' round the house an |
butted me clean through the fence
inter the road!'
Joel roared and went into the other
room. Next morning he came up to
the house with new straw hat and
some other clothing for the lad.
"fou are not going to keep that boy
around here, are you, Joel?n said Mrs.
Whitney.
''ies, certainly" he answered.
Her face hung little cloudy over
her sewing. After moment she said.
without looking up: Have YOU any
more prospective foundlingsP"
None up to date" he laughed.
"What will his folks say, do YOU
SUPPOSED" she queried. in complain
ing tone.
"Oh, | will write to them. l dare
say they are poor, and if he has a
good home here they will be glad
enough" Then he went out to
find Absalom, and ere long that
perspiring young person was whistling
about the barn in his new apparel and
new office of chore-boy to the estab-
lishment. 1t was something wonder
full to witness the temerity with which