The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-06

chlluren were ulrtN and neglected,
and. during their fathers absence.
they were scolded and slapped without
mercy.
Olive was very indignant. but Almira
told her tersely that if she was going
to begin, at her age, to manage her
neighbours affairs, she would have her
hands full.
One day Belisl wandered into the
neighbours yard, and the little girl
chased him home, calling: Kitty,
kitty" and trying to catch him, much
to his disgust.
Olive, who dearly loved children.
called the little one to her, and soon
had her on her lap, enjoying a seed
cake and a story at the same time.
In short time the little boy arrived
in search of his sister. He raised his
kat, saying, in a quaint, grown-up
way: I've come for my sister. Thank
the lady, Sylvia, for the cake"
What is your name, little boy?"
asked Olive.
My name he replied soberly SIS
Havid Leonard, and that's fathers
! name, too. My mothers gone to Heav-
en-" he continued, feeling with a child's
| quick instinct that he had a sympa-
thetic listener.
"Maggie's only the servant. She
slaps us sometimes, but l don't tell ia
Their, cause it would make him feel
bad, and don't mind much, only when
she hurts Sylvia"
David told his new friend many other
things which made her heart ache for
the two neglected children.
At length they went away, promis-
ing to come again soon.
They kept their promise, and nearly
every afternoon was spent with Olive,
Sylvia to make dolls clothes.
Amira Powers grew much attached
to the quiet, respectful boy, who helped
her shell peas or pick beans, and who
often filed her woodboX.
But Olives heart went out to merry,
wilIful Sylvia.
The seedlings on the other side of
sometimes lasted from morning till
night with little cessation.
One day the children were playing in
their own yard when suddenly Maggie
rushed ont of the house. and, Selling
Sylvia by the arm, gave her slap in
the face.
David came valiantly to his sisters
| rescue, but received blow which made
him cry out in pain.
Then suddenly a tall. gaunt figure
jumped the fence, and, swooping down
like an enraged eagle, encircled both
children in her arms.
1t was Almira Powers, who had from
her window witnessed Maggie's attack
on the children and had rushed to their
rescue.
you tech them children agin. if you
dare" she cried, her very hair standing
out straight in her wrath.
You miser'bl sneakin' critter. can
hardly keep my hands off of you!"
| Come. David.@ she continued. talk
ing Sylvia in her arms, come right over
to our house an stay till yer pa
comes, an then Wen tell him a few
things he don't know
Maggie hurled a few explosives after
! them. of which Almira took no notice
whatever.
Olive took the trembling, sobbinG
child in her lap and rocked her gently
to sleep, while Almira gave David "a
piece of maple sugar large enough to
wreck the health of any ordinary child.
The mother feeling awoke in Olives
heart and filled her with bitter yearn-
ing as she looked down into the tear
stained little face. The child's gentle
breathing was now ard then broken by
heavy sigh.
Olive held the child until the father
came, dreaming many tender dreams
as she clasped the tiny form to her
bosom.
When Mr.. Leonard came home he
sought his children, and listened sadly
TO the story his neighbor told him.
'Of course Maggie must 60" he said,
decidedly. 'Why did the children
never tell me ~
Tears filled his eyes when Olive told
him what David had said.
Ool llttlC ItIiON, Hc StIu. can
never thank you enough for your inter
est in my lit4le ones, you and Miss Pow
ers''
Well" said Almira, 81 amt a
heather, an | couldn't see them young
ones abused by that critter."
few days later Mr.. Leonard went
over at sunset to tell the two women
that he had secured a kindly, middle
aged servant to take care of his house
and children.
lie was painfully shy man, so Olive
talked the more to set him at his ease.
and they soon became quite friendly.
When ne went away he presented box
Of strawberries very awllwardly,
speaking again OF their kindness to the
children.
60 it came about quite naturally for
Mr.. Leonard to spend the evening fire.
quently with his two neighbors, or
sometimes with Olive alone. She was
so frank and self-forgetful that he felt
more at ease with her than he had ever
felt with any woman before.
Sometimes on Sunday evenings Mr..
Leonard brought the children, and they
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