Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1886-11-11

lney nau OOln spent mnSI OF lnelr
previous lives behind the high walls
Of the institution, and under the rigid
discipline Of master. They knew Of
no other life, expected no different flu
ture. 1t was no wonder then that the
bright, pleasant home which loomed up
before them so suddenly WAS thought
to be IA dream.
Harry said little BERTHE, Il can't
believe that we are going to live in
such home. think we must have
died, and that there is an angel taking
us to heaven. Don't you think 50 Har-
ry p
Nh. Allen laughed heartily at this
idea. lie told Beltie that he was most
there then, for the house yonder among
the trees was his home.
Very soon they were drawn up be-
fore the porch, where they found Keziah
impatiently waiting their arrival. She
came out to meet them, kissed both
little toYs, and half carried them into
the house.
After supper was oyer, Mrs. Allen
TOOK BERTHE OH her lap, drew Harry's
chair close to her own, and asked her
husband to tell her about his visit to
the city. Mr.. Allen did so, not forget
ting to mention that he was taken for
an angel for once in his life, anyway.
The children's bedtime soon arrived,
and Mrs. Allen took them 20 a cozy
room above. She tucked them careful.
ly under the snowy covers, and gave
each a goodnight kiss. When she
went below again she found Daniel
nodding over the fire.
Now, Daniel Allen, | feel as though
l had something to live for. | do think
BERTHE is darling. don't like Harry
at all. Them big black eyes look too
crafty for child of his years.
That's the reason l brought two,
Ksziah, so you and me could have one
apiece. You can haye BERTHE. Under
my directions HarrY'll make fine boy,
mind what | tell you. If you want
BERTHE the same, I'd advise you not to
pet him too much, returned her hus-
band.
The boys were up early, and before
night there were not many inches OF
the farm that they had not travelled.
They found everything quite as nice as
Daniel had pictured it to be and passed
the day out of doors.
Harry soon noticed that BERTHE was
Mrs. Aliens favOrite, and there arose
in his passionate heart strong dislike
for his brother. He did not attempt to
drive it out. He let it take root and
grow until his whole soul was filled
with bitter hatred of innocent Berthe.
They had not been ut the farm year
before Harry commenced to abuse the
child. He was very careful in his con-
duet before Mr.. and Mrs. Allen, conse-
quently they both regarded him with
great pride and affection. Mrs. Allen
often told Daniel that Harry won Id
make more of a mark in the world
than BERTHE, who was of an easy. gen.
tie disposition. They did not know
that he treated BERTHE as he did. The
child had such a fear Of Harry that he
dared not complain of his ill treatment
to any one.
To add to his troubles, Harry, who
was decidedly Mr.. Aliens favorite,
contrived to shake the farmers conf =
dence in him by representing that he
was not always truthful and honest.
Several times he threw his own misde-
meanors upon Bertie's shoulders, and
the child dared not tell the truth for
fear of the punishment he knew his
cowardly enemy would inf1ict. AS a
natural consequence, Mr.. Aliens treat
ment of the poor little victim Of cir
cumstances was stern and hard, KeZlah
being his only friend. She never lost
faith in her pet.
For years this cruel course was con-
;inued, then its desired Object was ac-
complished.
BERTHE was just fifteen when he made
up his mind that Le would run away
that he could not live in this atmos-
phere of injustice another day. So one
night he tied a few things in kerchief
and took a sorrowful departure from
the only home he had eyer known.
Not unperceived, as he had supposed,
however. Every movement was view
ed by Harry with the utmost satisfac-
tion.
Mrs. Allen wondered much, when
| breakfast was over, aud BERTHE who
was an early riser, did not appear.
After time, thinking that ne might
be i'll, she went up to his room, and
found that the bed had not been slept
in.
She looked around, but found no
clew to his whereabouts. She imme.
diately called Daniel and Harry, and a
thorough search was commenced.