The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-05-08
GRANNY'S BARN.


Clifton Bingham.
GRANNY'S BARN.
1t was a desolate scene as | wandered
among the pitfalls and abandoned work.
ings of the Beaver Meadow Coal Mines.
In hollow of an old and useless strip
ping 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; but even these bits the poor
about the district were forbidden by the
owners to CLEAN.
The winter had been severe one and
the coal strike for few pence more a
day had augmented the sufferings of the
poor, not only in and about the great
city, but extending out to the coal
regions as we'll.
The place looked deserted and dreary
enough, but walked on, musing over
the fate which doomed the generality of
men to toll and poverty, when suddenly
the figure of a child arose from one of
the heaps and stood before me, trembling
in every limb and q piteous, scared ex-
preston upon his wan, pinched little
face.
'Don't be alarmed" 1 said, touched
by his evident fear; ~ wouldn't harm
you"
''Ben't you come to take me for pickin'
up the coal9' he inquired, falteringly;
'didn't the MASTERS send yea"
At his feet now spied pail half full
of the precious stuff
eve hain't got no fire." he said,
grasping the pail with his little blue,
half-frozen fingers, "and poor granny has
been shiverin' and moanin' and huggin'
the baby awful close, sir. She thinks
that keeps it warm, you know"
A wan smile fitted over his face as he
said it, but something in his tone brought
lump to my throat.
"And what is your names" I next in
quired.
'Jemmy, Sir"
"And your father-where is he?"
81 dunno" answered the boy
"Dead?" queried.
"Mebbe. dunno"
"And your mother?"
His little lip quivered.
"Mother went to work afore daylight,
sir. She goes out a-washin' and scrub
bin 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 mother'll be awful cold and
tired"
"Well," I said, struggling with my
emotion, "let us fill the pail and / will
carry it,"
1t was soon done and before long we
stood upon the threshold of miserable
shanty which the boy called "home."
He hesitated moment before opening
the door.
"You bent one Of the masters now,
be ye?" he asked solemnly.
"God forbid, answered as seriously.
"And We amt come to turn us out O.
the cabin?"
"Never fear," / smiled; ~ come as
friend, not as an enemy"
For answer he opened the door.
Home! A carpetless floor, bed, a
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.
"Be still, my BARN." she murmursd,
startled by the opening of the door; ''lie
still--the masters shall nae touch We,
never fear"
Oh! those hollow cheeks, those trem-
bling hands, those struggling locks, that
bent, shivcring form.
She gazcd at me curiously at first with
a vacant, dazed stare; then a shudder
shook her frame.
''Be We one O. the maisters?" she In
CURED, in husky voice.
NO." l replied, smiling; tsno."
81 maun a-knowed it," she said, with
a nod; "the dell meier comes a-smilin',
and-and-" here her voice fell to 9
whispcr-''the masters are all sold to the
deil-did yc know that9"
Imade no answer, and she continued
her grooming to the babe in her arms.
"Hush, my BARN" she said to the mo-
tionless figure; "hush, thy father
a'comin comm home the day. Has
seen him?" she crieu, suddenly turning
to me;'' 'shas't seen my Sandy9 My pui
boy Sandy-did he send yea"
The boy looked at me with wistful
touching expression.
"sandy's my father" he explained
"who went away long ago.
At this juncture the door opened and
woman about thirty years of age entered
with every appearance of WEAKNESS ant
heart-sickness in her form and face.
For the first time the boys eyes light
encd
Mother" he said, "the gentleman
fetched home whole pailful of coal
see! and the little fellow spread hi
hands over the newly kindlcd fire with
look of pride and satisfaction.
''Hush!" whispered granny; 18th
BARN sleeps. Wake her not up to miser
again. 1t were blessin', when hunge
cooms and cold, for us all to Sleep"
''Thc child must be cold,' l said t
the younger woman. "It's clothin
seems poor and thin"
She smiled strangely and placed he
finger upon her lip.
"'Taint no real baby" whispered til
boy; ''it's only stick O. wood the gran
ny calls the BARN."
looked at the boys mother inquil
ingly.
Eyes" said she, "the BARN died tn
morning poor Sandy was taken away
Granny went crazcd, as you see, whic
was mercy, sir, seein' as how she love
the BARN and Sandy better than life"
The old woman had returned to he
chair, and checred by the warmth, wa
sinking into gentle doze
'Sandy" she murmured, "Sandy'
coonin' bame the day. The bairn vii
mao naair crv from, h,,nfrar TO- A. I'll.