Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1893-11-23

"Did not tell you, Fehcie? 1t is alb
solutely ideal!" cried Mrs. Severance.
Then with her 0pera-glass ut her eye.
she suddenly added, II believe-yes, |
am sure--there are the Draytons yonder
those people we met at the Thousand
Islands, Feiicie! What a coincidence! ="
SEQ down to them,S mamma. You
liked Mrs. Drayton so much"
And leave you here by yourself?"
"Gou know l am never lonely, and
Rosalie is always within call. Go, little
m NINA, to please me-"
Felicie spoke with caressing intona-
ton. Her mother hesitated moment in
birdlike indecision.
''For few minutes, then, if you will
have it So" she said, and touching Fell
cie's forehead lightly with her lips, she
gathered her muslin draperies in one
hand, and ran down the shell-paved path
with the light step of girl.
Felicie watched from affair the vivid
pantomime of recognition and greeting.
''Daar mammal she murmured, and
with tenderly indulgent smile leaned
back among her cushions.
She was aroused from half dream by
the twang of some rude stringed instru-
mcnt. At first she could not decide
whence the sound proceeded, but she
soon discovered in the shadow OF one of
the many nocks of the irregular veranda
little negro boy squatting upon the
ground with banjo across his knees.
She watched him curiously,-a slight
figure dressed in a single nondescript
garment of tattered blue homespun. He
seemed very small as he sat thus crouched
together, but Felicie judged from his
20 hot ho Wi, no al
little black face was really picturesque
for ugline5s-an odd exaggeTation Of the
characteristic features Of his race. IC
wore just now an express sion of great
anxiety, and as the boy turned with in
finite care a rough peg in the neck of his
instrument, Felcie's ear, ouickened by
illness, caught the muttered words;
"Dat ar string mos gone, sho 'nufH!
Dunno whar cher git anoder!"
Next moment, an ominous snap pro-
claimed his fear realized. Felicie was
quite unprepared for the exhibition of
hopeless grief which followed. The
child did not cry out. He dropped over
the banjo, as if he had received Il blow,
and, clasping his arms about it, rocked
himself to and fro.
"Rosalic,' said Felicie, ''call that lit
tie boy to me, please, and bring my
purse"
At the girls summons, the child sprarg
up in fright, undecided whether to
obey or fly. After look into Felicie's
face, however, he came shutling shame
facPdly toward her.
You have broken your striDg-can-
not YOU get another?' she asked gently.
"Unc' Joe, he done got some, but he
say las time he won't glib me no mo-"
"Wouldn't he sell one?"
II hain't got no money, Missile"
''But suppose I should give you some,
would you play for me?'
She unclasped the purse--a simmer
ing fancy of beadwork-and, drawing
forth silver dollar, laid it in the small
black palm.
'Fo' me, Missile? Dis yer TO- me.o
The child trembled from head to feet.
eyes, all for you, Go, now, buy
your string, and come back to ma
A look If ecstatic gratitude flashed
from his eyes, and he darted away. Ia
ten minutes. ne reappeared radiant.
us it all right now?' asked Felicie.
"a right, Missie.'
"Before you play, want you to talk
with me a little. What is your name?"
ebony. Missile"
CHOW old are you?"
"Dunno. Missile"
"Do you live at the hotel?"
81 sleeps in Big Films cabin, Missile"
"Is Big Ellen your mother?"
"H Amt got no moder."
"Poor child! And your father?'
"Hain't got no fader, Missile"
els Big Ellen good to your
"She-she waliop me, Missile"
Felicies cheek flushed.
"What for?'
The boy looked down, balancing awk-
wardly from one bare foot to the other.
else good for muffin, Missile. Ise amt
with my salt. Ise allays a-strummin'
an a-thrummin', when I'd Ort to be
to wuk,-f0tchin' watah, an diggin' in
de gyarden."
He spoke with so comical an air of
conviction that Felcie could not forbear
| milling.
Very well-let me hear you play"
The boy grasped his banjo and struck
tening loUk crept over his face its
swift, subtle transformation. Even his
| listless muscles seemed 10 conform to
some new o.ordinating force; the move
his fingers leaped with lissom grace
along the strings. In moment he elided
into little on-melody-a simple
air full of the haunting sadness bora of
old slavery-days. His heavy-lidded, pa.
thelic eyes gazad out upon the water
| now beginning to show emerald tints
! under the mounting sun, but the light
which deepened in them was not reflect
ed from sea or land.
Mrs. Severance, hurrying up from the
beach, cried out in dismay at sight OF
tears on Felicie's cheeks.
"Why, my dear child! Rosalie, what
have you been thinking Of? Don't you
see that Miss Felicie is tired to death
Her weak nerves and all this noise! Rur
away, child!'
The boys hands dropped, and all hi;
nerve aud self-possession with them
Once more grotesque, pitiable, he was
turning away, when Felicie laid trans
parent hand on his worn sleeve.
mo, no, Tony! Mamma is mistaken
The music is beautifully has not tired
met has made m better. Do you un-
derstand? And L want you tomorrow
morning-don't forget!'
Mrs. severance shrugged her graceful