Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1892-07-22

AND SOFTLY PLACED THEM OK A CHAIR
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 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-
preciative witness Of Mr.. Dustin's
thoughtful act. 1t was Uncle Phin, who,
kneeling outside the shed and gazing
through an open ohink in its rough
wall, was waiting patiently for the fam
lily to retire that he might have pri-
vate and undeteoted conversation with
his ''ll marse."
AS Mr.. Dustin again left the shed the
old man said softly to himself;
''De good Lawd bress you fer what
you Is !eg done, Marse Dustin. You
Is got some Oh pore Marse Richards
goodness into you after all. II 1t waren't
Ter de ole Miss an dem wicked chillun
me an Ill marse would try an
stick it out awhile longer. But it can't
be did. No, sab, 1t can't be did" Here
the old man shook his white head sor-
Yowfully. 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 heah, an may be dc
good Lawd lead US to de green fel's OBJ
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 si-
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 fiel' 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 were safe in his par
ticular corner Of the hay NOW did Uncle
Phin venture to speak aloud. Here he
drew 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 dc
good Lawd's own rabens," Arthur said:
"Oh! 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. Nc
| matter what / do it seems to be the
wrong thing, and I only get punished
for it. am getting almost afraid to
try and do right any more, and II we
stay here much longer Pm pretty sure
shall grow to be bad boy such as my
own dear mamma and papa wouldn't love.
Now, don't you thing we might run
away and live somewhere else, where II
would be more easy to be good than II
is here? Do you think it would be very
wrong if we did? I'm sure Aunt Nancy
would be glad to have US go, and per.
haps Uncle John would, too"
"Why, honeybugF' cried the old man,
deligh tedly. dat ar is prezactly what
yo' old Unce Phin's been projectin' tc
hisse'f, only you mustn't call it runnin
away, like you was pore niggah
A Dale don't nebber run away
He only changes de spere ot
his libbin', when he gifts tired OF
one place, an takes up wifi anuddel
same like we'se gwine ter. Use been
considerin' fer long while back dat
desc yere Dustin's, who isn't much bet
term pore white trash no how, wasn't
Dc bestest company fer thorobred Dale
like you is.n