Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-01-08

DOlu lNlo the C1FTAdpc ditd OA1Ot cA euc
coachman to drive on, while she soothed
and comforted the children and wiped
Arthur's dust. little face with her own
embroidered handkerchief.
She looked anxiously at him when be
told her that his name was Arthur Dale
Dustin. that his dearest mamma and
papa were dead. ard that he used to live
in New York. but that now he lived with
Cynthia's father and mother, who were
his Uncle John and Aunt Nancy. She
asked him several questions about him
self. but always seemed to forget his
name, ard only called him Prince
Dusty
When they reached the Dustin house
she kissed both the children goodbye
and gave Arthur q beautiful copy of
Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales
her. On the fly leaf she wrote with
a tiny gold pencil that hung from
her watch-chain: ITO Prince Dusty from
his Fairy odmother Then she said she
must hurry on and drove away, leaving
the children standing by the roadside
and staring after the carriage as long as
the faintest cloud of dust from it's wheels
was visible.
As they turned slowly into the front
Arthur drew a long breath and said:
Cynthia, that is the very most bcauti-
full adventure | ever heard Of. It's beau
tifuller even than the stories my own
mamma used to tell, and I've got this
lovely book to show that it is all true"
Poor Arthur was not allowed to enjoy
the possession of his book very long, for
his Aunt Nancy. who had been alarmed
at the children's disappearance, and now
gave them only bread and water FOR
their dinner, took it from him and laid
il on a high shelf, saying that it was
altogether too handsome book for .
little boy to have.
Arthur begged and pleaded with tears
in his eyes that he might be allowed 10
keep his book, claiming. justly, that it
was his very own and had been
given to him to do as he
pleased with; bat all to no pur-
pose. His Aunfy Nancy only said
that she would give it TO him when the
proper time came; and then. adding
that she was too busy now to be
bothered with him, she babe him get
out Of the house, and not let her see
him again before shutdown.
So the sensitive little chap walked
slowly away, trying in vain to choke
back the indignant sobs that wonld per
sist in making themselves heard, and
feeling very bitterly the injustice Of his
Aunt Nancy's action He longed for
sympathy in this time OF trial. and for
some friendly ear into which he might
pour bis griefs. Even Cynthia's CON-
pany was denied him. for she was seated
in the kitchen under her mothers
watchful eye, taking slow, awkward
stitches in the patchwork. a square OF
which was her allotted task for each
day.
"I'll find uncle Phin," said Arthur to
himself, .'and tell him all about it,
and, perhaps. he viii somehow find
way 70 get my book again, and then I'll
ask him 70 take me away from here TO
some place where can keep IL always"
Somewhat cheered BY having
definite purpose in view, the forlorn
little fellow started across the
fields toward distant wood
lot, in which he knew his
sympathizing old friend and adviser was
at work.
Uncle Phin was a white-headed,
simple-hearted old negro, who. some
years before, bad been a slave belong
ing 70 Colonel Arthur Dale, OF Dales-
court. in Virginia. lie had been the
constant attendant, In her daily horse
back rides, Of the Colonel's only daugh-
ter, the lovely Virginia Dale, 70 whom
her father had formally presented him,
as birthday gift, when she was fifteen
years old.
Three years later the spirited girl. re-
fusinr to marry the man whom her
father had selected for her, ran away
with Richard Dustin, q young North
erner recently graduated from New
England university. who had accepted
professorship in one Of the Virginia coli
leges. This marriage proved SO terrible
a disappointment i her father. that, in
his anger, he declared he would never
receive a communication from her, nor
see her again. and he never did. The
young couple, accompanied by the faith
ful Uncle Pbin. went to New York
There their only child. q boy, named
Arthur Dale. after the grandfather.
who refused to -eccs-nize him, was born.
and there they Eved in the greatest hap
piness until the child was nearly eleven
years old. when the beautiful young
mother died, leaving Richard Dustin ut
terly heartbrolsen. Soon afterward he
removed with his idolized boy and Uncle
Phin, who bad filled the position Of
nurse and constant protector to Arthur
from infancy. 70 the home Of his child
hood. a little rocky farm in Northwest
ern PENNSYLVANIA
He had bat one relative in the world,
a brother who lived near one of the
mnshroom-like towns that sprang up
during the early days of petroleum.
When, a year after the death Of his
wife, Richard Dustin was also laid in the +
grave. it was in the family Of this
brother. John Dustin. that Arthur and