Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-11-16

lovely Mary die, and ho fol-
lowed her the samo day-rathor
than petition his proud and wealthy
neighbors, when he knew that they
were aware Cf his helplessness, vet
kept back their alme, waiting, not an
opportunity, but c solicitation, to do
good.
Henry, their only son, aged twelve,
brought up as he had been, accus-
toned to little aud expectant of less,
how did he know "pap" and imam"
were dying?
He had always been accustomed to
that pinchel, cldaverous look he had
often held his mothers thin hand be-
tween his eyes and the fire, and seen
her thin, bony fingers turned to
threads OF jelly, and her hands were
always cold.
But he had never secn such wild ex-
pressions upon his parents faces as
that evening when he came home from
fishing, with his bass "for man, "
which his mother would never need.
One was before the fireplace en- the
eoor, the other on what passed for O
bed; thoir eyes were staring blankly,
cold and clammy; their lips were
apart, and when Henry spoke they did
not answer.
He knew nothing OF death, save that
he had seen poor Leo, the dog, hanged
to save even what the poor dog ate ;
Gnd now they locked iko Leo did.
Poor boy his heart knew no grief ;
Eo know nothing but poverty, misery,
hunger and toll. Born to his con-
dition, irresponsible for his existence,
never yet awakened to tho response
bihtics OF entity-oh, what expert.
ences, bitter to the dregs of bitter
ness, awaited this child OF misfortune !
Twas better that he did not realize
it all.
"l'll tell Squire Johnson; I bl:eve
they arc swung like Leo was" he
said to himself, as ho started toward
their two-miles-o1, though nearest
neighbor.
He, as children ofttimes do, had
substituted tho cause for the effect.
Knowing that poor Leo had been
hanged, and now seeing them stiff,
cold and silent, he reasoned as he
did.
esquire, they nro swung-pap is,
and"
"Now, boy, none OF your simpering
impudence! If you want anything,
tell that; if not, so on home"
81 say, squire, they are swung,
like Leo was, and can't mako 'em
talk, or wake 'em up; they aro cold,
aud their eyes are open, and"
"'hey arc dead, then," said little
Thomas johnson.
Squire johnson, moved moro by
curiosity than by pity, mounted his
horse end rode down to William Cherl,
tons, finding the LADS story cnly toe
true.
This, then, was the mute appeal OF
the dead to charity. These people
must be buried. Tho squire notified
somo Of his poor neighbors to attend
to the affair, and he'd foot the bill,
aad said
"Tbis boy, Henry, may EtOy with
my gardener for a few days, and then
he must hunt work"
And this is the cry of the tramp, 81
au hunting work." and proud, rich
Squire Johuson put this cry into the
mouth of Henry Charlton snd started
him out q tramp.
It was autumn, and tho approach oI
winter had already been heralded by
his white errand boys-the hoar. .iiosts
OF the middle latitudes.
Night had passed; another clear,
crisp, frosty morning had dawned up
on the sons of men, ushering in an
other glorious day, fraught to some
with dazzling delight and unfeigned
happiness; to others, with only black
despair, disappointment and death.
From beside.aa hay stack, whose
friendly shelter he had sought the
evening before, to break the chilly ail
AID to prevent the frost from cnther.