Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1888-07-05
Hr7ae'. r,g, The Beaco, }
5LAckBERRYlke.
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a anu y h'i't..t! ~ 4lAa. iAA'A'414t ~ iA-S
tail growth o; tangled krIars that
grow 80 ProfGss y about the weather
beaten fence sIies of Locust Vale.
Across WIDE na.ds Of waving grain
dark shadows come and 20, while down
IN the swect-scentGd meadow the wind
ing path lies sheltered by iuterlGcing
clover, red aud white. Knee deep in
swampy pools stands sober-iAced COWS,
dIOwsy and dreaming, as high over
head the shining crows and chatter
ing blackbirds hold high carnival IN
their woodland ielIs. Nc other days
are like these sparkling gem, caught
from the years full loveliness, and yet
go eager Is this unconscious child to
complete her task that all tie beauty
above and around has escaped her Oh
servation. Even the sharp and cruel
thorns that only a little while ago
were wounding ruthlessly aer busy
fingers have now at last lost their
power TO sting. But suddenly a stray
note from approaching reapers, heard
far above the other voices, recalls her
TO her present surroundings and she
springs to her feet hurried, = to find
her well-filled bucket upset and the
treasured berries scattered widely in
every direction. IN her fright snowy
sunbonnet tumbies oil her head, re-
Vealing a wealth Of golden hair. which
might challenge the suns brightest
beams, while the eyes fast f ing with
tears look like two violets that have
lain ali night IN the mountain dew.
oh, my blac kberries ! my black
berries !" she cries. when 1t length
her voice returns They are all
spilled, and what shall DO q
Yam very scrfy, answers voice
close beside her, that Carlo should
have behaved so badly. but YOU must
not cry any mere, little one Surely
We can remedy he matter -omehow.
VIII YOU tel ne What you were going
tsda witG th" berries
a~"l was r',nlnl them for !uaLua 70
make pes, slr- blackberry ics. IoI
see It = my birthday, AMI an 70 dis
appointed since caL have nothing
else like
All : understand, replies the
stranger. The loss is great.g than l
at first supposed. Bat wont yoa tell
m5 Your name and how old you are -
May, ,ir-on,y May SuumerviIle
and am nlre vears old to-day
You have very sweet ana pretty
one, he -ays, regarding the child IN
tently, and thinking all the while how
we'll It suited the innocent rosy face
Nov, May, 20" must be happy again,
for | know place not far from here
where hlackberr!es grow thick a.
hairs on your head
"Oh DO you really though p her
large blue eyes opening wide with
wonder. How many there must be !!
I would be 50 glad 10 get some OF
! them.
And so you shall, provided you
Will first rest yondcr under that shady
oak tree. You look both tired and
warm.
Indeed ain, sir. for I Lave been
f, picking ever since early morning. and
il is such a trouble, Mr.. -. You
have not told me your name vet" she
adds, with an interrogation IN her
wisttul face.
True enough. Mine viii not be
half so pretty, but easier to remember.
1t is simply Tom Brooks, You wont
forget this ugly title, will you And
now, May, where DO you 50 to schoo.
and how far from here is your home
First, Mr.. Brooks" she answers in
her old fashioned way, Il will not for.
get your name, or your face cither. II
is such a good, kind one. If had 4
grown up brother | would want hin
to look Just like you but sorrowful
ly-"I have no brother, or sister, o.
dear papa like Rose Nichols and Ma
ME Harvey. There is only msmm
and myself. We live all alone in 10
Gust Vale Cottage, and We are very
very poor" How pIetiily the child
, Ish lips made the avowal without
thought Of shame. "Slnce papa die
mamma can only take IN sewing, rails
poultry and sell vegetable from ou
garden. We get along very nicely
only-
= Only what, May ? he queshone
quickly, laying his hand caressingl
on the bent head.
Why, want TO 20 to school ns1
Winter, you see. and mamms Is n,
= sble 10 send me. | have studied a
q through the geography aud histor.
7 hava and .apno. .all what am