The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-05-23
VAGABOND JOE.

e
BE off, she muttered sharply.
''What do you mean by entering hon
est peoples gardens, you Young thief?
A brilliant sensitive flush surged
into the boys thin checks, aud he re-
cnilcd as if lie had received a blow.
With head down bent and eyes filled
| with bitter tears. lie walked slowly of,
out into the wide white road.
Mrs. Davis returned to her inter-
rupled work and gave vent to her ill
humOr on the yellow shining butter
she was beating into small round pats
Tomorrow was market day, and con-
trary to her usual habits, the farmers
wife was not in advance.
A young girl, rosy checked and
brown-eyed, dressed in simple blue
cotton gown, stepped from the flower
wreathed porch where she had been
occupied in shelling beans.
Shading her eyes with her hand, she
gazed steadily, regretfully, after the
boys retreaLing form.
''lm sorry you sent him off like that,
Clara" she said presently. "He look
| ed dreadfully hungry, poor child, and
not like the ordinary run of beggars."
Nonsense, Bessier' her sister ans
wered GROSSLY. ''If once we encour-
age those idle vagabonds about the
farm we shall never be rid of them. L
had too many fowls stolen last sum-
mer to begin the same folly this
Still | don't think he was a thief.
His face looked true and honest
Mrs. Davis shrugged her ample
shoulders. and bent lower over her
butter.
Perhaps she felt slightly ashamed of
her harshness, but she was not going
to say so.
Bessie heaved little sigh, lifted the
big bowl of beans, and slowly entered
the cosy farmhouse. As she stood on
the threshold, she hesitated, and
glanced back over her shoulder.
Il haven't seen the children since
breakfast, Clara. Do you know where
they arc?"
81 sent them into the fields to play"
"ls Nellie with them?'
"Yes. | couldn't get on with my
work with her hanging about me; be-
sides, Agnes IS quite old enough to look
after her now."
An anxious expression crept into
Bessie's soft brown eyes, and shadow
settled on her brow.
As she entered the pleasant sunlit
kitchen, and commenced preparing
for their early dinner, sigh broke
from her.
Il wish Clara would not let the chill
dren wander so far alone; it is hardly
safe, and Jack is too thoughtless to be
trusted with his young sister.
Still smarting under the sting of
Mrs. Daviss cruel speech, his heart
beating with mingled grief and anger,
Joe walked quickly along the hot road,
forgetting in his trouble the WEAKNESS
and hunger which overpowcred him.
Presently, however his excitement
cooled down, and with sigh which
was almost sob, he crept into one of
the cool green fields.
Flinging himself down beneath
shady tree, he closed his eyes, trying
to WOO slumbGr as solace for his
wrongs.
He was tired with long walking and
many sleepless nights. In spite of his
hunger he soon fell into a deep, deep
sleep. haunted by no visions of sadness
or unhappy dreams.
Presently the silence was broken. A
group of children-two boys and two
girls-came slowly towards the small
rustic bridge which spanned the mar
row stream running between the two
meadows. The elder boy had rod
and line in one hand, big glass jar in
the other.
This is just the place for fishing"
he remarked, sitting on the bridge so
that his legs dangled over. ''Look af-
ter Nell, Agnes"
Agnes, pretty rosy-cheeked lassie,
threw herself down on the messy bank,
from where she could watch her broth
er's movements and keep vigilant
| eve on the two younger children cul-
ling flowers amongst the tall grass.
dts rather sunny here" she re-
marked, dragging her big cambria
bonnet farther over her eyes; ''still it's
very pleasant.
Yes; we may as well remain here
until dinner time" Jack answered
quietly. Mothers busy making-up
butter, and it only makes her cross to
see us about the house."
Il hope she won't mind US playing
near the stream"
"Why should she mind?'
because of Willie and Nell"
"Bosh!" Jack exclaimed scornfully.
"They are safe enough, and it isn't
likely we are going to give up fishing
for them!'
Agnes smiled, and settled herself
more comfortably.
Suddenly Jack started, his face aglow
with delighted rapture.
"Aggie, I've cIught one!" he NUT
tered triumphantly, and drawing his
line from the water he showed her a
tiny silvery fish wriggling at the end.
Agnes went nearer, watching with
pleased eagerness while Jack transfer
red the shining little creature from the
line to the jar. Willie, who had be.
come equally interested, crept on tC
the bridge, and knelt down beside his
brother.
Glow pretty il isl" he said softly.
ats alive, isn't it?"
s.Of course it isl" Jack answered
proudly. Don't you see how we'll il
is swimmingP Wait until I've caugh
some more"
II should like to fish, too" Willie
went on. his childish face full of lively
curiosity.
so YOU shall next time we comt
here" Jack promised, and Willie wa
content.
In their excitement they had forgot
ten little Nell, who, unrestrained b.
her sisters watchful eye, had hitte'
some distance along the bank, pluck
ING the wild flowers with both chubb.
hands. A few clusters of pale forget
me-nots grew close down by the water
and these presently attracted her al
tention.
Fearless of danger, her tiny fee
slipping at every step, she climbe'
down the bank side, until she ha
reached the coveted flowers. EaTerl
she stretched out her hand to GRASP til
blossoms, but, unfortunately, the.
were Just little beyond her reach, ant
in her effort to get at them she over
balanced herself, and fell headlon!
: into the ripping stream.
{ Her piercing cry rang shrilly on th
, air. arousing the children to sense q
her peril.
Jack and Agnes turned white a
death, while little Willie commenced
series of wild hOwiS.