The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-12-27
SCOTLAND NECK N c. THURSDAY DECEMBER 27 1888

all muffled up IN an old shawl, the ends
trailing on the ground as he marched
happily off, his hand in Bob's. Shortly
after these two children stood watching
the handsomely dressed throng as it en-
tered a fashionable place of worship,
till Bob, with "Now, Johnnie, look
alive. or the cop'll nail u.s." pushed the
child before him into the crowd, and,
sure enough, an alert policeman, spying
Bob, made grab for him, which Bob
deftiy eluded, but meanwhile Johnnie
was carried on toward the baize door
amid swirl of silks and satins.
The little fellow was a tride awed at
the church's solemn grandeur; but as
Bob never failed to turn up, all right,
,Iohnnie made for an empty pew and
curled himself up on a.hassock to await
his friend coming. Presently the or
gan pealed forth, and Johnnie's eyes
grew round with astonishment as the
voices of the unseen choir mingled wit1f
~ 200 1se1e tses4 Dutxesn sttll,s Il
- hsad dssoped, and slnat6 by Is
s1stt sA1lks .and 1ks - e Z; -
- csnfet ftls 90 ~
1se0sa h - adssnt q s -, rosy-
checked lady, whose wAsss ai6Ir con-
trasted so prettily with her still young
face, and whose companion-a stout,
jolly, forid-faced gentleman-possessed
bushy head of hair and beard of silvery
whiteness. A faint exclamation escaped
the lady; then, turning to the gentle
man, she whispered:
'Look! The poor little lambp'
''Shall I speak to the ushera" oues-
toned he.
One swift glance at the pale, little face
and the lady Shook her head, answering
''No, moi Let him be, the dear.
Many times during the service the
lady's dark eyes strayed to the little
sleeper, and once when the child stirred
uneasily her daintily gloved hand softly
stroked his pretty curls
A swish-a rustle-the congregation
was dismissed. The lady of the rosy
checks and white hair drew her sealskin
about her, but her gaze rested ling=r-
ingly upon the sleeping cLild.
"Well, dame3'' and merry twinkle
glistened in the speakers eyes as he ad-
ded: "Looks as if turkey bone might
relish, don't he?"
''Bless his little heart, yes-and, oh,
don't you think we might?'
And so, what was Bob's astonishment
for he had ling >,ed round, amusing
himself as best he could to see a lady
and gentleman come forth from the
church, followed by footman bearing
the sleeping Johnnie, carefully rolled up
in handsome carriage rug. Drawn up
to the curb was stylish turnout. into
which the lady and gentleman stepped,
the footman placing Johnnie on the seat
beside him; then, as the lackey swung
himself on to the box, away started the
carriage down the street, Bob yelling
out:
"Jiminy crackyl if l don't believe
Johnnie's struck ile" -
Dating after the carriage. he clung on
behind, taking good care, however, to
keep out of sigh of the driver and foot
man. r.
= Soon they drew up before,a handsome
house, whose wide porch wore an air -oi
CHEEKY welcome. Bob. wiggling himself
down-from his perch as the door closed
upon Johnnie and his .newly-,found
friends, -ejaealated, 'somewhat ruefully
FsHere's go! I wonder what 'uat turn
up next? Anyhow, I hope it 'ull be
something soft fur the little 'un. He
amt calculated to rough it, like me-"