Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1895-05-09

times.
He.put the locketbaek In its hiding
place, and ] went toring the bell, feel
ing new interest in my FIRE brand
which | sincerely desired to rescue
but not at the expense Of a conflaga
tion in the whole school.
l was at my wits end to find som,
way to reach and help the boy, when
diversion occurred in the shape of
new pupil.
A family by the name of Jackson
came to town, and opened furnitur'
store. -
1t seemed poor opening for such
a business, but Mr.. Jackson, a quie
rather sad looking man, said his wife
had delicate health, and they thought
quiet country life might be OF bene-
fit. There only child, boy of twelve
was my new pupil.
Ferdie Jackson was q tall, well
built boy, but disease had shortened
one of his limbs, causing slight limp
and his golden hair was worn in long
curls like girls.
| Some Of the boys were inclined to
make fun of those floating curls; call.
ed him 'Sis' and mockingly begged
for stick of candy, but Fred was bis
sworn companion from the first, and
promptly put the boys to flight.
Hello, Sis, give US stick of taf-
fyP cried one of the larger boys one
day, coming up behind Ferdie and
giving one of the yellow curls sharp
pull.
But before he could reply, a small
but dangerous looking fist presented
itself suddenly before Tom Browns
astonished eye, and he beat hasty
retreat, mutterlng something as he
went about, mot meaning any harm.
Never mind, Sweep, said Ferdie
giving the flushed and painting boy
beside him one of his dazzling smiles
the boys don't mean any harm. Il
is funny for great boy like me te
wear his hair like girls, but mother
likes it, and Ill keep the curls as Ions
as long as | live if she wants me tol
| His cheeks flushed and his blue eyes
shone as he said this, ,'and in my hear
l honored the brave little lad who
would endure the ridicule of hi,
mates, often far harder to bear thar
blows, for mothers sake!
| You see, Sweep he went on a.
they moved away from the window
where | had been standing during
this little scene, you see | was
twin, and mother lost my little broth
er when we were two years old, SO ]
am all she has left, and | must tr,
and make it up to her all I can
'What did he die Off questioned
Fred, He did not die,' said Ferdi,
sadly, Someone must have stolen him
He would run away sometimes if ma
ma and the nurse were busy, and h,
was perfectly wild for street parade
and such things
| was sick one day, for my hip hac
begun to get bad then, and mama wa
with me to give nurse rest. Nam
: had left my brother asleep on the sit
ting room lounge, and when I wa
over the pain little, she went dow
to see to him, and he was not there
The sitting room and front door
were both open aad the gate aiar.
They searched everywhere, had pc
lice, offered rewards and everything
but they never found him. That wa
one reason we came here, for at hom
mother was always staring at ever
boy she saw thinning it might be hin
and people who did not understan
throught she was crazy, but she ism
) q bit and is just the dearest mother
OF course | did not hear all th:'
but Fred told me one recess as W
stood watching Ferdie sitting in
seat with a little colored boy an
helping him with his lessons,
He told me not to tell the boys
: said Fred, 'but he would just as 500
you knew, for he thinks you are abor
, the best lady in the world!'
: And I think he is about the be,
, boy in the worldl' I said heartily.
so do T. replied Fred, and adde
! sadly. i don't see how a boy can
so goodl
: 1t was short time after this that
! saw Fred down by the brook one r
cess apparently doing nothing.
4 'Well,did you catch any FISH? asl
) ed when he came up.
. He looked puzzled, then his blac
eyes twinkled, 4 was only feedir
them tabacco, ma'am.'
Tobaccor I cried, quite mystifiet
tYes, guess it wont hurt them.
But it hurts you2'
! mo, it hurts Ferdie to have me U
7 it, so | have stopped.
: The influence to save my boy ha
: come AS the winter progressed th
!, two boys became more and more q
tached to each other, and were seldo
apart during school hours, but Ferd
Y never succeeded in getting Fred
= 60 home with him.
y A new and strange humility b,
!, taken hold Of the boy, and he SCENE
= , to be always comparing himself wi