The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1888-01-19
did 80. When had finished she nndc n,

did 80. When had finished She made no
comment, but badc u9 now give our attcn-
1l0n to mathematics. We did so. She was
apparently q good teacher, for shc took
much pains to explain the problems and the
rules that governed them; but her voice
never lost it's nutonatical ring 1t was ns
though wooden image wcrc uttcring those
thlnGs, and consequently the instructions
she gave were dry and unintCrcSting, and
did not wonder that the children gavc n sigh
OF relief when the lessen was over But
they had evidently been taught implicit obc-
NHnro to their teachers rules, for they were
silent and respectful, paying strict attcn-
ton To their books after their first stare
OF welcome to mo when was brought in
ShC now gavo us intcrmi$siun. during which
she left us alone together. THO children at
once threw off all restraint aud approached
me with loud questions.
"Whats your nnmc!' asked the oldest
boy, looking into my face with his wicked
black eyes.
told him.
"Aro You going to 1.-Two hcrc?" he inquired
next.
did not answer. Ills tone was iccring
and ukind, and felt rcudy TO cry
"Why don't you answer met" he asked,
roughly. "No you suppose" hc continued,
''wc'rc going to huvo You hero without
knowing who and what you arc!"
- "Mnmma will tell u.s." said his sister, SEQ
ing did not speak. Shc was standing by
her brother, her golden hair and blue eyes
III strange contrast TO his dark skin and jcl-
black huir That sho was proud, scornful
and vain did not doubt; and that | could
expect no blindness OK fricndIncss from
her, saw nt once.
IL suppose she is aomc little bcegar that
mamma has picked up" sho said, with a
toss OF her yellow cura "Did mamma
BRING YOU hcrc:' she persisted, angrlly
"foS, answered, "but wish sho never
had. L want TO 70 homc" and unable
longer to control my feelings, l gave way to
my grief and sobbcd wildly.
Aftor several attempts to question mo
further tho boy and girl left me to my self
and ran downstairs. Tho youngest boy re-
manned. lie was sweet httle fellow, with
blue eyes and dark curling hai2. "Don't
cry" hn said, coming close 10 nc md laylnu
his httlo dnnpcd hand on my shoulder.
"lt'll mako your head ache; it duas mne,"
nc continued, wisely.
1clt comfort"d somewhat by his grntlc,
KINDLY words, and sat mp und wiped nv
eyes.
%oa came from long way of didn' +
You" he inquired, seating himself beside
me. And did my mamma bring you, and
what made your mamma let yuu cOntcw
VI have no malnma," replied; nnd then
1cXpancd To him how we lived at tho
homo and tho circumstanccS OF his mothers
adopting mo, though why she had dono 80,
when sho had three children OF her own, |
could not imagine.
Now tell inc about YOURSELF" / said,
when / hnd finished "Arc those YOUR
brother and sister who were here moment
ago?"
mot my real brother and sister," he said,
gravcly; "oniy my half brother and sister
Ihcyro twins, You know; one is just na old
as the other, lrma and Irving barrett that's
their names"
"And your nnmC" inquired.
"ls Bcruc Clayton, he answered, 50
gravciy and manhllC, could hardly help
smiling.
You and III be friends" he went on.
VI like you. YOU mustn't mind if thoy arc
cross and mean ;hcy always are but I
like you. l think you're nice, nicer than
lrma; not 80 pretty, for she is like u pict-
uro; heard mamma tell papa so today.
But she's cross to me. Are you ever
cross"
assured him of my usual good nature,
and wo soon became good friends He Of
tercd to show me his pots, and / willingly