The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-09-12
A LITTLE CITY CHAP.

and scratched up all my choicest seeds.
WHY cant folks keep their chickens home
instead of allowing 'em to run around de-
stroying other peoples property"
A very tired little chap, dusty and foot
sore from the Icing distance he had Travelled,
looked in from the gate.
Please, maam," he said, If those
palings were fixed they couldn't get in.
There's quite number Of 'em missing, you
see"
"Eh?'' calculated Miss Keziah, in sur
prise, for she had not noticed him. why,
so there are. I've meant to send for Brown,
the carpenter, all along, but It's somehow
slipped my mind.
eagerly, III do it cheaper. I'm looking
VINO are your" asked Miss Keziah.
Only boy from the city," was the re-
spouse but I'm tired OF it, and thought
might find something to do in the country.
Mothers dead: and there's nothing there TO
keep me now"
well" said Miss Keziah, rather doubt
fully, III you think you can fix the fence,
there's no harm in trying. suppose Inc
palirgs that came off are out In the DaIn;
ana I'll get you the Ratchet and some nails.
While the sun grew low in the west the
boy industriously worked away, While to
hiui on the soft air came the appetlzlng odor
Of Miss keziah's cookery.
My, but it smells good!' he said, with
very hungry feeling at his stomach. Ia
like to live here If | only could. i wonder
if she doesn't want boy to do her chores!
Miss KeZ alb looked out OF the window OF
her little summer kitchen and saw that the
work was satisfactorily completed.
There. ma'am." said the boy, as he
came up and handed the Ratchet to her,
its all done, and pretty good JOB.
DONE think the chickens'll get in now
" You can wash up and then eat the sup
per I've got ready for you," said Miss
krzah.
He needed 10 second urging, and was
soon seated at q corner Of the table raven
ously choking down the cold meat hot bis
cults, b ack berry jelly and seed cookies she
had placed before him.
All the while Miss Keziah kept looking at
him in undiSguissd astonlShment
Dear mel" she said; what an appetite
He poured the last drop of tea in his cup
80 na'am," he said, alphabetically,
- no more than other boys. I've not had
anything to eat since morning"
Why. you poor boy, said Miss heZiah,
commiScIatngly; " If you'd told me I'd
have given you piece OF pie.
:" ! thought I'd wait, ma am, he said, as
he arose from the table with sigh OF salts
faction. I'm split some wood for you
now. Your piles getting pretty low"
He chopped away till dusk and then
brought in bucket Of water from the well.
Miss keziah had silver half dollar In her
hand to give him.
You don't want boy, do ?" he
asked, wistfully.
easily, what would | want with boy?
I've lived here all alone and done my own
work for wears"
Il didn't know but you might" he said,
disapuontedly. Thank you, ma'am. fol
the money. It's getting dark, and Pm so
tired l can hardly walk. Would you mind
if slept IN your barn tonight"
Miss hezlah was very cautious spinster,
but her heart was touched with a very
strong feeling Of pity.
Up in the cemetery on the hill, where
blackberry vines and gOldenroG ran riot all
sumner, little EphFaim, the child her dying
brother had left in her charge, lay sleeping.
" hat ii he were out in the great world in
stead, ftiendless Ike this little chap?
"Pu give YOU a bed tonight" she said.
rather huskily, 'and you can be on your
way in the morning"
He wiped his shoes very carefully on the
mat ana sat down on one the stif-backed
chairs Of her pTim sitting-room
Il don't suppose you care to hear the
Bible" she said, austeTely, as she lit the
lamp 81 always read i. before go to bed.
You can 80 now II you wish"
''NO," be said, in a low tone, ''pd like to
hear it. Mother used 10 read it to me-"
ST. Miss keziah put on her gold-nmmed
speetacies and read on in hard, rasping
tone from Luke, glanciug up at last TO see
that lie was noddiug his head and having
very hard time to keep his Eyes open.
'Humph!" said she, closing the book. 81
guess you'd better 20 to bed"
Il am sleepy" he confessed, drawing his
hand across lis eyes, out l heard it ALL"
She called the cat in and saw that every-
frFT Tr- 1rdl- 4 mn hr.1tr
she opened the door Of little chamber adj
joining TIE diaing-room.
That's where you're TO Sleep" she said,
brusquely. GOOD night"
Good night and thank your was his re-
spouse. Thank you very muchp'
Size waited a few minutes and then with
the lamp went upstairs to her room.
1--WE done very foolish thing, I know"
she grimlv said, but / couldn't help think
ing o. little Ephriam. How can tell what
that boy is? He may be in league with cut
throats and robbers. lcll be mercy if Pm
not killed to-niEhtP'
She was very careful to look under the
bed before she retired, and it was some
time before her eyes closed in sleep.
''He has an honeSt-looking face" was the
last thing she said, ''but one can't tell about
people nowadays. He may be waiting even
now to let those men iG."
The katydids Chirped outside and the cres-
cent moon sank low. The old-fashloued
clock monotonously licked two hours away.
Suddenly the stiffness of the night was
broken by q tremendous noise, and Miss
KrZIah, in her trlled cap, sat up in bed.
"Jrs just as l thought" she groaned,
trembling ike a leaf. Hes let the men in
and they're ransacking the house. Why
didn't put that interest money in the
bank ?"
She was about to fly to the window and
scream for help when she heard an excited
voice call up:
Don't be scared, ma'amI I've got man
locked up in the closet. Come down,
quickv'
The words brought confidence to her. and,
lighting her lamp, she quickly dressed and
went fearfully down the stairs
Fierce but futile blows were being rained
against the stout oaken panels of her sitting
room closet, and she could hear the smoth-
cred curses of some one inside.
As she looked in the room she saw the
Soy, with the Ratchet tightly grasped in
his hand. His eyes were glowing with ex-
element
I've got him" he cried. "Never fear,
ma'am. he can't get out"
allow did he get in ?" asked Miss KeZiah
who was so weak that she had to lean upon
chair for support
He came through the window and woke
NE, was the response. 81 saw him 90 to
the closet, and locked him in"
We'll, you're brave boy" said Miss
that now. I'd better go for the constable
at once"
She hastily threw her shawl over her
head and left the house. while the boy re-
manned on guard, apparently uDdisturbed by
the threats and imprecations volleyed at
MIN through the keyhole.
Down the road skinned Miss Keziah like
a frightened bird. and in short space of
time size was back with the village police
man, constable and several other men whom
The worthy preserVer OF the peace thought
1t prudent to call upon to assist him.
The r0bber was taken from the closet in
a haf-suffocated condition and marched to
the town lookup, while Miss Kezlah en-
dsavOred to compose her ruffled feelings in
sleep.
The next morning. after the breakfast to
which he had been invited, her small guest
arose and said:
'And now, ma'am, think l will be on
my way. Is there anything else l can do
for you before goP Do you want another
pail Of " alter brought imp
Don't be in any hurry" said Miss Ke-
ziah, and she laid one hand upon his curly
head "Pye changed my mind I do want