The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-26

do for himself. that some said he was
a half-wit, while others contended that
he would have sense enough if his
heart wasn't so big.
But everybody liked little Billy-for
his mothers sake. if not for his own,
for Aunt Sally was, indeed, Good
Samaritan. She seemed to know by
instinct where trouble and sickness and
suffering were to be found. and there,
too, she was to be found. High or low,
rich or poor. she passed none by. And,
though she was simple and as innocent
minded as little Billy. these qualities
seemed to fit her better than they did
her awkward and bashful boy.
Aunt Sally and little Billy We're both
as Industrious as the day was long, yet
they made but a precarious living on
their little patch of ground--a bale or
two of cotton that didn't bring a good
price, and little bit of garden truck
which, with few chickens and eggs
they brought to town occasionally i'm a
rickety one-horse wagon. Aunt Sally
would take no pay for nursing the sick,
no matter how much of her time was
taken uD but she supplemented the
meagre income they got from the one
horse farm by making quilts and
counterpanes, and bedspreads. and by
taking weaving, being very expert at
the loom.
AS may be supposed, Aunt Sally and
little Billy didn't wear fine clothes nor
put on any airs. Living in middle
Georgia, (the most democratic region.
socially In the world), they had no need
Tor either the one or the other. They
made bare living. and We're tolerably
satisfied with that
one day. shortly after the conscript
officer had established his Headquarters
In Hillsborough, Aunt Sally and little
Billy drove into town with a few dozen
eggs and three or four chickens to sell.
The conscript officer, sitting on the
reranda of the tavern. noticed that little
Billy was well grown lad. and kept his
eye on him, as the rickety, one-horse
wagon came through the public square,
There were two or three lOungers
sitting on the veranda. including Ma
5or Goolsby. One of them tapped the
major on the shoulder and pointed to
little Billy with his forefinger and the
conscript officer with his thumb. The
major nodded gravely once or twice
and presently hitched his chair closer
to the conscript officer.
you amt a-baggin' much game in
these parts, / reckon" said the major
addressing the officer with half CLOSED
eyes.
Business is not very good" replied
the other with a chuckle. but we man.
age to pick up few stragglers now and
then. YOnder's a chap now"-pOint-
ing to little Billy-"that looks like he
would be an ornament to the rear
guard in an engagement" The officer
was a big. rough looking man. and
seemed to find his present duties very
agreeable.
do you mean little Billy Cochran"
inquired the major.
II don't know his name" said the Of
hcer 81 mean that chap riding in the
chariot with the fat woman.
''That boy" remarked the major.
with an emphasis that caused the con-
script officer to regard him with sur
prise" is the sole support of his mother.
He's all she's got to make her crop"
MAYBE So" the officer said, but the
law makes no provision for cases of
that kind"
"You said maybe so'" suggested
the major. do you mean to doubt my
word?' His voice was as soft as the
notes Of a flute.
why certainly mott" exclaimed the
officer, flushing little.
The major made no further remark,
but sat bolt upright in his chair. The
rickety wagon drove to the tavern door
and little Billy got out. a basket of eggs
in one HAND and the chickens lin the
other He went into the tavern. and
while he was gone, Aunt Sally passed
the day after tomorrow. The army
needs your services"
do you want me to go to the war?'
asked little Billy. quaver i'm his voice.
"Yes." the officer replied. You fall
under the conscript law"