Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1890-05-17
GRANNY'S BARN.

way 70 the market and only the refuse
remained.
The place looked deserted and dreary
enough, but walked ON, when suddenly
tie figure of child arose from one of
the heaps and stood before me, trembling
in every limb and a piteous, scared ex-
preston upon his wan, pinched little
face.
Don't be alarmed" said, touched by
his evident fear Il wouldn't harm you.
Bent you come to take me for pickin'
up the coal?r he inquired, falteringly.
didn't the masters send YEP" At his
feet now spied pail half full of the
precious stuff. "We hain't got no fire,
he said, grasping the pail with his little
blue, half-frozen fingers, land poor
granny has been shiverin' and moanin'
and huggin' the baby awful close, sir.
She thinks that keeps it warm, you
know.
@And what is your names" next in
quired.
Jenny, sir.
"And your father-where is her"
"I dunno. answered the boy.
@Dead?' Iqueried.
@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
sonesupper when she gifts home granny
and me will, and I'll have fire. cause
you know mother'll be awful cold and
tired
"Well," / 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 yer" he asked. solemnly.
"God forbid, answered as seriously.
"And ye amt come to turn US out o
the cabin?"
Never fear, smiled; II come as a
friend, not as an enemy.
For answer he opened the door.
Homel A carpetless floor, bed, a
CDdlI OF TWO, uEel6SS bOOVe.
Covering close to the latter sat an old
woman, grooming to q baby which she
held in her arms, swathed in rags.
"Be still, my bairn, /" she murmured,
startled by the opening of the door "lie
stilI-the MASTERS shall nae touch ye,
never fear.
She gazed at me curiously at first with
vacant, dazed stare; then a shudder
shook her frame.
"Be ye one O. the maisters?" she in
quired in husky voice.
"No, replied, smiling 4no. "
81 maun a-knowed it, +" she said with
nod "the dell ne'er comes a-smilin', and
and" here her voice fell to whisper
-athe masters are all sold to the dell
did ye know that?"
made no answer. and she continued
her grooming to the baby in her arms.
"Hush, my BARN, !" she said to the
motherless figure; hush, thy fathers 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 yer"
The boy looked at me with wistful,
touching expression.
"Sandy's my father,p he explained,
@who went away long ago.
At this iuncture the door opened and
a woman about thirty years of age en-
tered, with every appearance of weari-
ness and heart-sickness in her form and
face.
For the first time the boys eyes light
ened.
Mother" he said, sthe gentleman
fetched home whole pailful of coal
seel" and the little fellow spread his
hands over the newly kindled fire with a
look Of pride and satisfaction.
~Hushl" whispered granny. @The
BARN sleeps. Wake her not up to misery
again. 1t were a blessin', when hunger
cooms and cold, for US all to sleep.
The child must be cold, said to the
younger woman @It's clothing seems
poor and thin.
She smiled strangely and placed her
finger upon her lip.
@'Taint no real baby, whispered the
boy. @It's only stick o. wood the
granny calls the BARN"
looked at the DOys motn6E AnquAK-
ingly.
"Yes, = said she, the bairn died the
morning poor Sandy was taken away.
Granny went crazed, as you see, which
was q 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 doze.
SANDY /" she murmured. ASandy's
coomin' hame the day. The bairn win
nae mair cry from hunger, for the father
is coomin' hame.
aOf what dark day do you speak," !
inquired, sand who took your husband
awayf"
The boy shnddered and crept close to
his mothers side She hesitated.
Here, Jemmy," I hastened to say,
STA this money and no TO the nearest