The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-06-12
''HBE.''
A STORY OF THE BLIZZARD.

with no beauty in his thin cheeks, high forehead or
long upper lip, but with pair of great blue eyes,
which looked fearlessly out upon the world in
which he was a lonely waif Abe's father and
mother had both died during an epidemic in a far
Off southern town and he had been tossed from
hand to hand ever since. finding seven homes,
such as they We're in as many years. At present he
was not with relatives, though Squire Holbrook's
sister-in-law had been distant connection of his
step-aunt, but the boy found himself rather better
off with strangers than he had been when with his
own kith and kin. At no time since his orphan
hood had he been made to feel less frequently that
he was burden and an expense, eating people out
OF house and home wearing out clothes faster than
hands could make them, costing more than he was
worth
Had there not been a fountain of sweet waters
somewhere in the boys nature, he must have
grown bitter and hard In the years during which he
had been nagged at by this aunt and scolded by
that uncle, sent supperIess to bed by taskmis-
tress and shamed before company by another,
treated in fact, as no sensitive child ever ought to
be during the growing and developing period of
life. But Mrs Holbrook, good motherly soul, into
whose harbor of peace the poor little lad had dried
by series of happenings, declared up and down
that no better boy had ever come into her house,
and, thanks 10 her gentle words and her brooding
care, Abe was beginning TO lose the unchild-like
look which had distressed the kind woman's heart.
There are women who have genius for nursing
hurt and tmid things, petting and cossettng coax
Ing unthrtty plants into greenness and bloom, and
bringing out the best that is in even unlovely
natures. 1t was happy day for Abe when Mrs.
Holbrook took him under her wing, praising his
neat ways. making him bring the hard lessons to
her that she might coach him bit before he went
to school, and taking pity on the arms which were
too long for his jacket and the legs which were in
advance of his trousers
The day when Mrs. Holbrook took Abe to town
with her. driving straight to the door of the princi
pal tailor and buying whole new suit for the
twelye-year old lad, who had been clothed for
seven years in other peoples leavings was q day to
be remembered in his life, marked with white
stone. The thrill of pride and selfrespect which
came over the lads soul was so great and distinct
that he seemed to grow an inch taller on the spot
He'll never be handsome, Ma Holbrook," said
Squire, impartially surveying the erect figure us
the boy went cheery whistlng across the yard that
evening.
"No matter, Pa Holbrook ~ she answered 1.-THE
boys clear grit, and intend to make man of him
If care and kindness will do it."
The Hobrooks had children of their own, Iibbie
and Matte, Johnnie and Jamie, Freddie and Faith.
Perhaps it was because the nest was already
crowded that they had room for an odd birding
AT all events, Abe found himself cosy and happy in
the busy, busting household, and he helped Mrs.
Holbrook with all his might. Up at peep of day,
bringing in chips and kindlng, lighting fires, feed
ing the chickens, washing the Dishes doing some
thing for somebody every bour, Abe certainly did
enough Mrs. Holbrook said to the neghbors, 10 pay
for his keeping twice over.
She could not stand between him and the world
however. The teacher who had come to Brooklyn
by the same stage which brought Abe, had been u
boy himself in his time, and in consequence
had become violent arstocrat. He seemed to
take positive delight in snubbng Abe.
depend upon it, madam" he said to Mrs. Lucas
the Hobrooks' next neighbour "blood will tell |
Nobody knows the antecedents of that little fellow.
He probably comes of bad stock 1 deem it my
duty, madam, to keep watchful eye on boys of
that stamp. Anything wrong, cropping out in that
direction shall be nipped in the bud, madam, nip
ped in the bud.'
And Mr. Stone waved his hand, as if It held an
imaginary cane, and set his lips with an air which
would have BODIED no good to an unfortunate victim
of his wrath. Mrs. Lucas, a vinegar-faSed woman,
given to scolding and slapping her own children,
listened and approved
Them Holbrooks one and ALL would be better
children if they were not dretfuly spoiled" she
remarked with an acid expression: "but, law me |
the whole set of them hasn't had as much whippin'
all put together, my Maria Jane in the last year
II shows the lack o. tralnn Mr.. Stone. Go there
when you will and there's laughin' and shoutin'
and carryn on in that house, fit to wake the dead
Nothin like the quiet times here. Keep on with
that seam Maria Jane If it isn't done it should
be you'll have to pick every stitch out, and be
switched into the bargain. No looks miss
mark my words Mr.. Stone, Mis- Holbrook viii
make you treat Abe same you treat her own chill
dren, she's that eccentric and unreasonable I"
This proved to be the case. The Holbrooks per-
mitted no beating TO be administered upon any,
body who belonged to them, but so far slight and
sharp words and GOODNESS could wound, Mr. Stone
did his best to make Abe understand that he need
expect no favor from him. But there was good
stuff in the boy, and he did not bear malice nor
waver in his determination to get education if
he could. That Mr. stones help was grudgngly
given did not make II less valuable.
One of those periods of trial which sometimes
come upon families fell to the lot of Mr. Holbrook
when the late winter was lingering in the snowy
fields and on the windy prairies. First, Mr.. Hol-
brook was down with rheumatism, six weeks of 1t,
and it taxed the patience of the whole house to
wait on him Then the youngest, Fay, had the
measles, and Frank followed In her wake with
whoopng- cough. Finally, Ma Holbrook herself
came to the end of her strength, could not get up
day, consented to let herself be swathed in hot
flames and dosed with herb teas, and was told by
the doctor that she had had narrow shave from
having pneumonia. She groaned and moaned but
being sensible woman, made up her mind to stay
III bed until she was able to leave 1t in comfort.
Abe, meantime, was the swiftest softest-footed
most thoughtful Of attendants, always ready to help
never in the way Even Mrs. Lucas, coming in to
lend hand, as q neghbor might found herself
obliged to confess that there was good in the boy.
HE does show gratitoOd that's a fact" she con-
jded to her husband. "Why, he acts us If he right
down loved Mrs. Holbrook p
"sure, nowP calculated Mr.. Lucas "Wel,
Sarah, Mrs. Hobrook'sa mighty pleasant kind Of
woman, you know"
"Humph p said Mrs. Lucas.
Mrs. Holbrook WAS not yet out Of her room when
one gray morning the children, Abe excepted, set
out for school. Away In the distant horizon there
was gathering cloud, lying low and looking as
though 1t meant storm by-andby. Abe saw that
the children had on their wraps and their over
shoes, that nobody forgot a lunch basket, that
Names veil was tied carefully and Libbie's books
were strapped together.
The children had teen gone an hour or more, and
peaceful stiffness had settled on the house. when
Frank, who owing 10 whooping- was quaran-
tined from school, exclaimed
II say, Abe, how black the sky is Look out win
your
"Hus'sh-st" said Abe, pointing to The half open
door Of the mothers chamber. Don't disturb your
ma, Frank. She's asleepl Halloi 1t looks like a
blizzard !"
The pale face under the tow hair turned shade
paler, as Abe discovered the signs Of a coming
tempest. IL was growing colder every moment
The wind was rising all the sky was darkening
a1f-