The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1894-01-20
CASTLE CLIFF.

wonder what a city is like. Streets
crowded with carts and wagons, /
suppose; shops and fine buildings,
and hundreds OF well-dressed people.
All" he drew a deep breath, and his
eyes, fixed upon the misty peaks OF
the far-off hills, glowed with the
light OF an intense longing-'if only
/ could 60 TO a city and do some
thing and be something. / would
work night and day; and pretty o o
Heber Trent would be heard OF, /
can tell you. IL anybody should say
TO me, 'Heber, my boy, what do you
want most?' i should answer, Just a
chance, that's ALL
He raised himself upon his elbow,
and a look OF sadness darkened his
eager face as he gazed over the rugged
and desolate country. Not a dwell.
ing was visible from where he lay,
not even a cultivated field. 1t was a
wild mountain region, sparsely in
habited by poor, ignorant people,
for the most part occupying rough,
I'm painted cottages, and winning !
scanty subsistence by cutting wood
in the vast pine forests, and carting
or sledging it TO the railroad in the
valley, many miles distant
Heber, a sturdy boy Of fifteen, had
already hewn and sold many a cord
Of timber; this, with the vegetables
he raised in the garden patch about
the cottage, had sufficed for the
meagre wants Of himself and his old
aunt, with whom he lived, both his
parents having died when he was
very young. He had never been TO
school-there was no such thing d. a
school within twenty miles; but hav-
ing secured a few ole newspapers and
books, he had patiently taught him
self to read, and even-thOugh in a
very awkward fashion, it must be
confessed-to write.
Once, while at the railway station,
Heber had heard a travelling musi-
clan play the violin, and thencefOr-
ward il had become the ambition OF
his life to buy an instrument and
become a performer himself. He
had never possessed a penny OF mis-
wi The trifie he earned for his
WOOD scarce suticed for the expenses
Of the humble household. But dur
ing the past two or three weeks he had
devoted all his leisure hours to gather-
ing nuts In the forest, which old Seth
Stone, the carter, kindly sold for him
at the station; so that he had already
a little hoard slowed away on the
rafter over his bed.
Anyway" said Heber, more hope
fully; ''even if | can't live in a city,
] shall buy a violin as Don as | have
saved up enough"
His financial calculations were ill.,
terrupted at this point 10y the treal
of a horse and the rattle Of wheels
upon the road which had led across
the hill where he lay. The unusual
sound caused him to sit upright and
stare ama7edly at the approaching
vehicle. 1t was a neat light wagon,
drawn by a handsome, spirited horse,
quite different from the clumsy
buck boards and lean, raw boned ami
mails W tn which the boy was tamil
lar. The occupants were a gentleman,
clad in a gray travelling suit, and a
beautiful little girl in a frock Of
bright colors, with a small blue cap
set Jauntily upon her long, ripping
yellow hair.
Heber hoped the strangers would
pass by without observing him; but
the wagon stopped opposite where
he sat, and the gentleman beckoned
to him. With a feeling of shame for
his patched and frayed oyeralls, and
rough, b%utternut shirt, the boy re-
luctantly arose and went to the side
Of the wagon, pulling off his ragged
cap as the gentleman spoke TO him.
How far is it TO the nearest "a j.
road station?" he asked.
About twelve miles" answered
Heber.
The gentleman gave a whistle OF
dismay. "And we have come nearly
that distance already, he said. Are
you tired, Nettie?"
mot a Bit" replied the little girl,
shaking her head and smiling.
you see," explained the gentle
man, turning to Heber, I'VE missed
the only train that goes down to-day
on the other road, and as | must get
in town tonight, w had 70 come
this way"
you will have plenty Of time
said Heber; 1.-The road is pretty good,
and you can't lose your way"
II AN very much obliged 10 you"
said the gentleman, and he put his
hand in his pocket
Heber drew back. Thank YOU"
be stammered, blushing, 'fbut l
couldn't take pay just for that, you
know"
will you tell me your name? said
the little girl, as the gentleman gath
cred up the reins He told her, and
the next minute the wagon was NOV
ing swiftly away. The child looked
back, smiled. and waved her hand.
Goodbye, Heber Trent" she
called, in her sweet young voice.
Goodbye, Miss Nettie," cried
Heber, waving his cap Ia response.
From the spot where the boy stood.