Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-07-02
SCRAP"


went to the door The November air
was tinged with frost and she shivered
as She leaned out listening for sounds
of travel upon the road
II declare. it's plum night and Seab
amt here yet. 1 do wonder what's
keepin' him. He's mighty nigh always
home fore this time when he goes to
Atlanty. an he took a early start yes
terday. IL can't be that he's had any
trouble a-seliin' that cotton. No, il was
as fine as anybody need ask for"
There, he's comm. / hear him
scoldin old Whiteface. l don't know
why that creetur can't work peaceably
iu the yoke.
She left the door open while she hus-
tied cheerfuny around, Speeding the
cloth and slicing the bacon. The fry
ing pan was over the fire when SeabOrn
Heath unyoked the oxen at the front
safe and gave them their feed
"Humpb, Jane that smells good, he
declared, as ne stopped TO scrape his
feet on the doorstep
II lowed you'd De hungry"
That / am. HOWE you been get
tin on?'
"Oh. purity well. Miss Alternately
came over and stayed all night with me.
Why don't YOU come in an shet the
door Seab? I'd think you'd be tired as
well as hungry. an IL amt warm as it
might be outside"
Ills gettin winterish. that is a fact.
q fetched some company home with me.
Jane, nnaily stepping into the room.
Mrs. Heath had just taken the frying
pan from the fire TO turn the rashers of
bacon. She wheeled quickly with it in
her hand
Comply, Seab? For goodness sal
who is it2'
Here it is and he drew little ne
90 boy into the room. then retreated
leaving the child standing alone in the
mil glow OF the freight. He was q
l0rlorn object, his aShy skin dry and
withe-ed. his face as full of wrinkles as
on old mans. His clothes hung upon
him q mass of rags; a battered old
straw hat probably picked out of an
ash heap. covered his head. His bare
legs were as thin as sticks. and appear
ed al. the more pitiable from the size
p of tle rusty old shoes upon his feet.
airs. Heath sat down with the pan of
smoking meat still in her hand.
Well I never, Where did YOU find
that creetur an whatever persessed
sou 10 bring it home with you?"
"lll tell you just how it happened.
Jane. / didn't finish selin' that cotton
till This mOrliu, but l made a right
good bargain AS j was walkin' along
the street afterwards, feelin' so proud
that all nay debts was paid an l had
some money in my pocket, this little
teller piped mp an lowed
Mister, won't You have a shine?'
Il looked at him. and then I lowed
that / would, seem that be peared 10
De q sight poorer than me. / ask 4
him where he'd got his breakfast, an
he lowed that he hadn't got any at all.
Then / asked him where he lived, an
ne lowed that he jest slept around any
where he could, that he didn't have no
home. An, Jane, he was workin' away
nc those shoes Of mine till they shOne
like lOokin' glass; He paused and
glanced down az his big shoes. half
L Htes''"s.Ar AlAAA NrAAaIAEAs AOLlAlAtL UL-
ways been good enough for me TO put on
'em, 5UJ didn't grudge that dime, no
/ didn't An Jane. l begun to think o.
I our own little Matthew, an what might
I become o. him il he'd lived an we'd a
/ died. an the more l thought the sorrier
i felt for this poor little chap, for if he
/ ia black he's human bein an oughter
/ have somebody to take lIeer o. him"
But l don't think you need TO be
comparin' your own child TO a little mig
GER Seab' his wife remarked, wiping
her eyes on corner Of her apron, as she
rose 90 put the meat back over the fire.
He's human bein', as l said, Jane.
an ] lowed I'd fetch him out home
with me to sorter be comp'ny for you
an help you bout the house when
amt at home.
You do beat all. Seab; you certainly
do she declared. in a softened tone.
Il couldn't begin TO count the stray
cats and lame dogs you've fetched home
with YOU 10 be cOmp'ny TOR me. and
now this poor little niger What's
I your name?' she demanded of the lit
. ne darkey. He removed the old hat
and stood twisting it around in his
. hands.
My names Scrap, ma'am," said the
boy. timidly
"NOrhin' else?"
Nom"
well, I'll declare. Come up to the
fire an sit down on that stool in the
corner. You must be plum froze in
/ them rags. Did I ever? They're worse
\ than a patchwork quilt, they're in so
many pieces. How old air your
/ Mos twelve.
Twelve. an YOU amt bigger than a
child seven or eight No wonder you're
/ called Scrap. Sit right down an eat
I this hot potato. He's been half starry
ed. most likely" she muttered as she
lished up the supper
/ Seab smiled to himself and went cut
/ to- get some wood for the fire.
Il was a strange new world to the lit
/ he negro. He sat down and spread his
/ small. chilly hands before the fire,
\ watching the flames leap up the wide,
black chimney with fascinated eyes.
He didn't have much to say to his new
/ friends. but when a cat came purring
around his legs he picked il up and
stroked it softly. He was given a
I warm. abundant supper, and when Mrs.
/ Heath saw him swaying drowslly on
his stool she brought out little trun-
de bed and prepared it for him.
eel don't 1-rov- rs orrlf'r do IL