The morning call., 1892-06-01
AN ASSISTED RUNAWAY.

elms. which caused it to appear cool and
rest-inviting as eontraSted with the dusty
read. At one end a house, whose open
doors seemed constantly telling OF the hos
pitalitv to be found within their portals
The hum Of bees mingled now ana theh
with the scoldng of the brOodlng men as d
qrassbopper. too big to be swallowed al a
single mouthful, frightened her fully emil
dren nearly into chicken-hysterics. Inc
twittering OF swallows, which have dlseoV-
cred too late that the straw, brought after
great labor. is too long for the nest that they
are building with so much care; and as an
accompaniment, the hum Of busy bees.
Over the brown earth carpet Of green
embroidered here ana there with noddlng
buitercups or more modest dandelions, and
above ali the glazing, inquSliiVe sun
The lane would have been pleasant
haltng place TO any visitor from tile hot,
dusty city, 10 miles away, but to Neil
Frowert. Who had gaZed upon TIE same
scene nearly every summer day that ne
could remember, IL had no charm probably
because he had looked upon il so often.
"FYe got through with this kInd OF me-
Father saws when I'm 20 he won't OBJECT to
my trying for place IN town; Out WhaI
the god OF waiting four whole years
longer? A fellow al IS knows what ne
wants and there's no use fOOliDg around
here till Pm so old folks would laugh II
answered an advertisement Tor OoY.
His single auditor, Jim Morgan, made no
reply at first, for the very good reasAn thaI
he hadn't the slightest idea OF what could
be said to dispel the discomfort that a9
erept into Neil's mind. He was practical
sort of a boy. however. and at last he said
mildly;
III your father says you can't 90, that
settles it, according 10 my way OF thinking;
so there's no use in grumoiing.
you're too young to know everything,
Neil replied c0udesceDdngly. What's to
hinder my walking to the CITY this very
night? Pye got nearly So, and before that
is spent can easily earn more.
"But YOU wouldn't run away
"Pln not so sure II father had treated
me right things would be different; but it
seems as il he were trying his bt ST to pre-
vent me from getting ahead in the world.
wont weed carrots all the rest Of my days,
that's certain"
I'VE neCdn't talk about 1t now, because
It'll be a good many years before you can do
as You choose. Let's so down to the brook
and see how the trout are biting"
1--WE made M mp mind to leave this very =
night, so there'n be no fishing for me till |
come back next year on my vacation, and
Neil spoke very loud, as If the sound OIL his
own voice gave him courage.
Jim looked up in surprise Tor an instant
and then replied laughngly:
You can't fool me, Neil. Running away
is all very we'll to talk about but it takes
sTunk I'll 20 fishing. and tomorrow. after
you've quieted down little, don't mind
helping you weed the carrot patch"
As he stopped speaking Jim walked
IeisureIy down the lane, and Neil said to
himself, much as If eager 10 prove that he
had the necessary amount OF spunk:
You shall see whether I'll 90 or not By
tomorrow morning I'll be where father
can't find me, and somebody else may weed
the carrots.
During the remainder Of the day Neil
made his preparations for leaving home,
and he fattered himself that no one sus-
pected his Purpose. Several times a big
lump came into his throat as be thought of
the many days that might pass before he
would see his mother again; but he swal-
lowed IL resOlutely, recalling TO mind the
size of the carrot patch and his fathers In
justice 10 Obligng him TO remain at home,
when he was disconnected.
As the evening heightened 1t is barely
possible be might have concluded TO defer
the urney but for the fear that Jim would
laugh at him next morning, and when the
hour of going 10 bed came MS deteTmlna-
ton was nearly as strong as ever. The most
irving moment was when he told his mother
goodnight and as she said God keep you,
my boy" the tears we're so very near his
eyellds that a single word more would have
caused him to run over.
lie was not just certain how he got out Of
the room, for 1t was difficult TO see his way
clearly, and the thought that it might be
many months before he would hear those
words from his mothers lips again did not
tend to make him more certain Of his steps
"Pve got to GO or Jim will think I'm
fool" he said to himself, as be entered his
chamber, fragrant with the honeysuckles
that had spent every day since the winter
departed trying 10 climb up the side OF the
house.
This idea was sufficient to revive his
nd caatinu hfmCnlf
the edge Of the bed, where the scent OF law
ender from the snowy linen We'd with the
odOrs that came in at the window, he once
more deiiberated up0n his plan Of action.
As a matter OF course there was 90 thought
Of undressing for bed, for he INTENDED 10
leave the farm before midnight, and when
the silence told him that all the inmates Of
the house had gone to sleep he began the
1ight that nas to liberate him from the
drudgery imposed by his father. A very
limited wardrobe was in package slung
yer his shoulder; the hoard Of money had
been tied carefully in one corner Of his
handkerchief, and such treasures as could
be conveniently carried were in his pcckets
Probably the chamber door when be
ouened ID did not creak any louder than
usual. but it seemed to him as IL the hinges
equally shrieked a warning for him to turn
back before IL was too lrt". Each board in
the hallway entered its protest against the
Journey and to Neil II was as II the entire
framework of the building conspired to
prevent him from gaining his rights. Even
the beating Of his heart sounded loud
enough 70 give the alarm, aud the darkness
was suddenly peOpled with shadows as he
erept slowly downstairs, trying TO move
DOiselessly and to swallow the lump in bis
throat at the same time.
How long the stairway was! Surely an
hour elRnsed before he arrived at the door
OF his parents rOOm which must be passed
In order to reach the outer air, and then IL
was with difficulty that he depressed q cry
OF alarm as a figure emerged, coming d.
Feetly toward him.
Il was his mother, and feeling OF intense
relief came into his heart, for he believed
the scheme OF running away would now be
frustrated.
20 leave home, Nell" Mrs. Frowert said,
with not a trace of anger in he tones; al
should then have been able TO furnish you
with better outfit; besides Ii will not be
pleasant to travel in the night. / suppose.
however, that you know best, and hope
nothing disagreeable may occur. Here are
few things that may be needed. and you
win do well to put your bundle IN the same
Eatehel."
Neil was so thoroughly bewidered that
be made no protest as his mother took the
parcel from his shoulder and began pack
Ina the articles 1t contained. giving him all
manner Of good advice meanwhile.
Don't dc anything that you might after
ward be ashamed of, my boy. for an act per-
formed can never be recalled"
eff she'd give me n terrible thTashing
and send me back to bed | wouldn't say q
word" Neil thought, the idea of leaving
home suddenly becoming dstasteful.
TO his great disappointment nothing oil
the kind occurred. When the satchel had
been packed his mother led him to the outer
door, kissed him affectionately, whispering
God bless and guard you, my bow" and
then he was alone in the nighr, while the
eFeaklng Of the bolts as they were pushed
into place sounded like a harsh and fna
EOOd-by.
Concluded to-morrOtp)
TIT crnrU uanUr-