Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-09-17
GRANNY'S BARN.

1t was desolate scene as I wandered
among the pitfalls and abandoned workings
of the Beaver Meadow Coal Mines. In
hollow OF an old and useless stripping lay
tons of slaty waste, among which cleaned
bits of coal here and there. The mineral
had long gone its way to the market and
only the refuse remained,
The place looked deserted and dreary
enough, but walked on, when suddenly
the figure of child arose from one of the
heaps and stood before me, trembling in ev-
cry limb and piteous, scared expression
upon his wan, pinched little face.
"Don't be alarmed" said, touched by
bis evident fear;~I wouldn't harm you"
"Ben't you come to take me for pickin'
up the coal?" be inquired, falteringly.
''Didn't the masters send YEP" At his
feet now spied pail half full Of the pre-
cious stuff. I'VE hain't got no fire." he
said, grasping the pail with his little blue,
half-frczen fingers, ''and poor granny has
been shiverin' aud moanin' and huggin' the
baby awful close, sir. She thinks that
keeps it warm, you know"
"And what is your name?" next inquir-
ed.
"Jemmy, SIR"
"Aud your father-where is hep"
81 dunno" answered the boy.
"Dead?h I queried.
sMebbe. dunno"
"And your motheI?"
His little lip quivered.
"Mother went to work afore daylight, sir.
She goes out wasbin' and scrubbin' when
she can git it. Well have some supper
when she gifts home-granny and me will,
and I'll have fire, cause you know moth
er'll be awful cold and tired"
"Well." said, struggling with my emo.
ton, slet US fill the pail and will carry it. !"
It was soon done and before long we
stood upon the threshold of a miserable
shanty which the boy called "home."
He hesitated moment before opening
the door.
"You bent one of the masters, now, be
YEP" he asked, solemnly.
"God forbid" answered as seriously.
"And ye amt come to turn US out O. the
cabin?''
"Never fear, I smiled; 81 come as a
friend, not as an enemy"
For answer he opened the door.
Homel a carpatless floor, bed, chair
or two, fireless stove.
Covering close to the latter sat an old
woman, grooming to baby which she held
in her arms, swathed in rags.
s'Be still, my BARN." she n urmuIed,
startled by the opening of the door; 'lie
still-the masters shall nae touch ye, never
fear"
She gazed at me curiously at first with a
vacant, dazed stare; then q shudder shock
her frame.
"Be ye one o. the maisters?" she inquired
in husky voice.
"No," replied, smiling; ''no.''
MON, lypnuod - cha caid uith a
nod; sthe dell ne'er comes a-smilin', and
and here voice fell to whisper-"the
masters are all sold to the de'il-did ye
know that?"
made no answer, and she con tinued her
grooming to the baby in her arms.
"Hush, my BARN." she said to the moth
erless figure; "hush, thy fathers a. a.coomin'
"a coomin' home the day. Hast seen
him?" she cried, suddenly turning to me;
"has't seen my Sandy? My poor boy Sandy
did he send ye?'
The boy looked at me with a wistful,
touching expression.
"Sandy's my father" he explained, "who
went away long ago."
At this juncture the door opened and a
woman about thirty years of age entered,
with every appearance of WEAKNESS and
heart sickness in her form and face.
For the first time the boys eyes tighten
ed.
"Mother," he said, ''the gentleman fetch.
ed home whole pailful of coal-see!" and
the little fellow spread his hands over the
newly kindled fire with look of pride and
satisfaction.
"Hushl' whispered granny. "Ihe bsiru
sleeps. Wake her not up to misery again.
1t were blessin', when hunger cooms and
cold, for us ali to sleep"
"The child must be cold," I said TO the
younger woman. ''It's clothing seems poor
and thin"
She smiled strangely and placed her fin.
ger upon her lip.
'Taint 70 real baby" whispered the
boy. "lt's only stick o. wood the granny
calls the BARN."
looked at the boys mother inqniringly.
"Yes," said she, ''the BARN died the
morning poor Sandy was taken away.
Granny went crazed, as you see, which was
a mercy, sir, seein' as how she loved the
BARN and Sandy better than life.''
The old woman had returned to her chair
and cheered by the warmth, was sinking
into gentle dozs.