Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-01-08
CHAPTER III.
TWO MIDNIGHT AwAKEEINGs.

orable evening of Arthur's cruel punish
ment, Mr.. John Dustin stepped softly
into the wood-shed which in that over
crowded little house had seemed TO be
the only place that could be given up
for an extra sleeping-room. He closed
the door behind him, and by the light
of a candle that he carried gazed long
and earnestly at the tear-stained face OF
the child who lay on a rude cot. 1t was
hot and flushed, and the little fellow
tossed and moaned as though visited by
unhappy dreams. Once he called out:
"Don't let them whip me, mammal
haven't been naughty. Indeed / have
noti'
At this the man, as though fearful OF
awakening the sleeper, hastily retired
from the place, and there was suspic-
ious moisture in his eyes as he re-
entered the other room.
! Here he said: "Wife, I believe we
have treated that little chap very I'M
Justly. My brother Richard was the
most truthful and honorable boy and
man ever knew, and / am inclined to
think the son takes after his father.
Hereafter shall try and make his life
pleasanter and happier and in this l
want you to help me-
Mrs. Dustin made no answer to this,
for her heart was hardened against the
orphan lad, and she really believed him
to be the sly, bad boy that Dick strove
to make him appear. 81 will watch
him more closely than ever and show
him up in his true light yet" she
thought, as she bent her head over her
sewing so that her husband could mob
see her face. "He shan't stand in the
way Of my children, and I'll believe my
own Dicks word before his every time"
was her mental resolve.
Knowing nothing OF his wife's
thoughts, Mr. Dustin was already
taking steps 70 insure Arthur's greater
comfort. He went to the pantry aud
brought from 1t bowl OF milk, a loaf
of new bread and plato of ginger
cookies made that day. With these he
again entered Arthur's sleeping-room
and softly placed them on chair.
where. by the light of the moon that
was just rising, the boy would see them
whenever he should awake. Once
while he was thus engaged Mrs. Dustin
opened her mouth to demonstrate
against such a lavish provision of food
for mere child, but glance at her
husbands determined face caused her
to change her mind and she wisely re-
manned silent.
There had been another and more ap-
preciatiye witness of Mr.. Dustin's
thoughtful act. 1t was Uncle Phin, who,
kneeling outside the shed and gazing
through an open chink in its rough
wall, was waiting patiently for the fam
lily to retire that he might have pri-
vate and undetected conversation with
his "lil marse."
As Mr.. Dustin again left the shed the
old man said softly to himself:
"De good Lawd bress you fer what
you is les done, Marse Dustin. You
is got some oh pore Marse Richards
goodness into you after all. II it waren't,
fer de ole Miss an dem wicked chillun
NE an iii msrse would try an
stick it out awhile longer. But it can't
be did. No, sab, it can't be did" Here
the old man shook his white head sor-
rowfully "Dem young limbs is too
powerful wicked, an ole Miss she back
'em up. Fer fac ole Phin got ter tax
his lam away from hesh, an may be de
good Lawd lead us to de green hel's oh
de still waters, where we kin lie down
in peacefulness."
An hour later, when the lights
of the house were extinguished.
and all was still with the 81
lence of sleep. Uncle Phin cautious
ly opened the shed door, and, tip
toeing heavily to where Arthur lay,
rested his horny hand gently on the
boys white forehead.
The child opened his eyes and smiled
as. by the moonlight, now flooding the
place, he saw who was bending over
him.
"Sh-h-h, honey" whispered Uncle
Phin, with warning finger uplifted.
"Git up quiet like a fell mouse an
come erlong wifi me. Sh-h-h."
Then the old man and the child stole
softly away, the former not forgetting
to carry with him the supply of food
provided by Mr.. Dustin. As quietly as
two shadows they moved across the
open space between the house and the
barn.
Not until they we're safe In his par
ticular corner of the hay NOW did Uncle
Phin venture to speak aloud Here he
drew a long breath OF satisfaction, for
in this place they could talk freely and
without danger of being overheard.
First he made Arthur drink all that
he could from the bowl of milk and eat
heartily of the bread and cakes that
Mr.. Dustin had left for him. After eat
ing the food, Of which he stood so great
ly in need, and which the old man as
sured him had been left by one lob de
good Lawd's own rabens," Arthur said:
"Ohl Uncle Phin, I've tried as hard
as can to be good, and make them all
love me here; but they won't do it No
matter what ] do it seems to be the
wrong thing, and / only get punished
for it l am getting almost afraid to
try and do right any more, and If we
stay here much longer I'm pretty sure