The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1896-03-13
TRANSPLANTED.

TRANSPLANTED.
The cab was piled with luggage, and
within sat young matron, her cheeks
fresh as the meadows she had quilted
but few hours ago. Long Bill, lurk-
ing on the limits of the railway station,
caught significant nod from the cab
drive, and at once started in pursuit.
Long Bill was not very tall, but had
limbs so excessively slender and SO
meager trunk that his acquaintances
naturally thought of him il terms of
length. When unoccupied, which was
generally the case, he let his arms hang
straight and close to his sides, as though
trying to occupy as little room in the
world as possible. He walked on his
toes, rather quickly, and almost with
out bend of the knee; his back was
straight and the collar of his filthy coat
always turned up to shield the scraggy,
collarless neck. Observe him in motion
at distance, and you were reminded
Of red Indian Oh the trail. Catch sight
of him suddenly close at hand, and his
siding, furtive carriage made you anx7
ious about your pockets or watch guard.
By his own account Bill was 10 years
old, but he had the wizened face of
senility; his hairless cheeks hollow
over tooth gaps, his nose mere cartilage,
his small eyes a-blink, yet as eager as
those of hungry animal.
For more than mile he ran along by
the laden cab, and seemingly, without
much effort; when it drew up in front
of a comfortable house, Bill sprang to
the door of the vehicle.
"You'll let pore young feller help
with the luggage, lydy! I've ran all the
wy from Victoria.
He painted his mendicant humility,
and with a grimy paw shook drops from
a scarce visible forehead. The fair
young matron regarded him with pain
ed, compassionate look.
"You have run all the way from Vic
toria? Certainly you may help, of course
you may"
She alightcd, entered the house, and
stood there in the hall watching Long
Bill as, with foverish energy, he assist
ed servant to transfer trunks and par
cells. Relatives pressed about the lady,
but she could lot give them due atten-
tion.
'Look at that poor creature He has
followed my cab all the way from Vic
toria, just to earn few pence. oh,
these things are too dreadful"
The simple heart Of this lady was
law unto itself. She had possessions,
and spoke with authority. In happy
moment, Long Bill had pursued the
wheels of her cab. Holding money in
readiness, she talked with him. Could
he not get work? What was his story?
Where did he live? To every question
Bill made fluent reply, painting oft, and
squeezing the rag which served him for
headgear. Work! Only give him the
chawnce! See what it was to be rigidly
honest; not since yesterday at this time
had a morsel of bread passed his lips.
Work! He threw up his eyes in appeal
to powers supernal.
"Come and see me tomorrow at 10
O'Clock. "
His immediate wants provided for,
Bill passed the evening in contempla-
tion. He felt no prompting to impart
to any one the wonder that had befallen.
Very punctually next day did he prs
sent himself at the area door of the
comfortable house, and silently he was
led to room where the lady waited for
him. To Yarious searching questions he
again answered with tremulous candor
which had it's full effect, Then, bidding
him listen and perpend, the lady offered
her suggestion. Far away from London,
in very beautiful country. she had a
house, with gardens and fields, and
there, if SO it pleased him, William
could support himself honorably by the
labor of his hands-could learn the
rural life, could gain health and
strength, could forget the horrors of his
early years. Was William disposed to
consider this? The head gardener, a4
estimable man, would direct and en-
courage him. He would receive wages,
and eat the bread Of independence.
What said be?
William once more threw up his eyes,
and, in very truth, knew not bow to re-
spond, but his face answered for him,
Very we'll; he should have this chance
of proving his sincerity. In day or
two the arrangements would be COM
plete. Let him come again, at time
appointed, and be in readiness to quit
London. Meanwhile he must purchase
the decent clothes of a laboring man ;
herewith, money for that purpose. Let
him be faithful, and the sun of happi-
ness would henceforth shine upon him.
In less than week behold Long Bill,
answering now to the name of William
Higgs, transplanted to quite a new
sphere of existence. His lodging was in
| the cottage of farm laborer. His duties
led him to the kitchen gardens of the
| old manor house, where Mr.. Brown,
grave and suspicious, set him primitive
tasks with the fewest possible words.
William looked as though he had fallen
from the moon. He was vastly uncom-
| Portable in his clean, new clothing. He
stared at everything and everybody. He
stood ON guard against possible attacks
and kept wondering whether if he
climbed to the top of hill not far away
he would be able to see London. The
fact that he had travelled for three hours
by an express train did not affect this
speculation. Never in his life had Will
liam felt SO hopeless, so purposeless.
| ha liwaOfsnno - hia hauofoofroca