The times., 1897-01-29

hardly more than a mouthful for hun
cry lad. His mother had got the faggots
there was fire-and bit of bacon
crisping in the pan over it. The smell
Of it was enough to set one wild--espe-
cially one who had not eaten since day
break-but Ned would not rest until he
lad carried one little fish to their good
friend. She smiled when she heard his
step and bade him lay the fish in her
bare cupboard. saying: "See how =
trusted you'll I have not kept q morssr
Ct that you brought yesterday"
"You may trust me-" Ned said
SAough his heart sank a little. He coulA
but think if tomorrow was like today
all of them might have occasion to re-
pept their generous impulses. But he
made no sign of that and ran home in
time to hear his mother say: Bring
the half pumpkin, Gretchen. 1t shall
help to make out our supper.
''The pumpkin is gone" Gretchen
cried from the closet where they had
left it. All of them ran to look for it,
but not one could spy it,
''It beats everything, but maybe it is
for the best" Marty said. though she
could scarcely keep back a sigh.
"Strange things are happening. Who
knows what may come of this one?"
81 wish we had cooked it when first
the fire was made" Nelis said, half
crying. 'I do love pumpkin with
gravyp'
"Hushi I will try to earn another one
tomorrow" Marty answered, hugging
Trixy closer to her breast.
Tomorrow shall be fishing at sum
rise," brave Ned said, rubbing his
sleepy eyes. Then he crept away to bed
and slept just little while. 1t was
hard to leave his warm nest and go out
facing the hard frost, but no did it and
came to the waterside just as the sun
rays touched it.
Next minute he gave Q great cry of
gladness, for there. rocking on the
waves, was the most beautiful boat he
had ever seen. She fairly shone with
newness. Sail and oars were in place,
and across her stern he read the name
The Silver Hook. In trice he was over
her. side, had sent her out into the fish
ing ground and cast his line. 1t had
hardly gone out fathom when some
thing seized the hook-a fish not too
big, but Of just the size his father had
loved to catch for the rich dealers in
the city. Another beauty followed him
into the bottom Of the boat; then came
q bigger fish, then some lesser ones,
again half dozen more Of the fine
market size.
eff this keeps up" Ned said to him
self, 81 shall be loaded long before
noon. Then up sail and away to the
city to sell my fine fish. The others
shall go home with me. Won't mother g
eyes sparkle at sight of the money 1
bringl My boat, tool wonder where it
came from! If the good people sent it,
wish might know it for certain. "
"Do you love pumpkin very much?"
something asked at his ear. He looked
up quickly, but saw nothing save a
waggish looking petrol darting close
about. 81 know; it is our half" Ned
muttered, half under breath. "Thank
you, good people Yes, love pumpkin.
especially when it turns into silver
hooks. -
A little later he went sailing up to
the city, with free sheet and wind
in the best quarter. He had been there
once before with his father, so knew all
the ways of selling his catch. The fish
merchant looked him over bit criti-
cally, but ended by grunting out !:
"H'ml Start 'em early in this tradeW
Then he paid Ned more money than the
weighing it in his hand there came to
him sudden desire to buy some pretty
thing for all those at home. He counted
his money again. Yes, there was enough,
only he had promised half to the blind
woman. And with but hAlf, he must
spend nearly all his share or go without
the things he had set his heart on.
A minute he stood irresolute. Then
he took off his stockings, tied half the
money in ono of them and hid it in the
locker of The Silver Hook. Whistling
and jingling the money he felt to be his
own, he ran along the streets. and soon
had bought shawl for his mother, kerr
chiefs for the three little girls and a
box of sweets for baby Trixy. He want
ed new cap for himself, but just az
he was on the point Of buying it there
came man with singing birds in tiny
cages.
"Oh, what company for the blind
woman! / can wait for the cap" Ned
said and straightway bought bird. He
had but one piece of silver left, so he
ran straight to the boat and set sail,
fearing if he staid longer he might be
tempted to spend it.
When The Silver Hook sailed into the
offing, be sure there was great cram
ing of heads to see. But Ned made her
fast, just as he had seen his father do
~ -vY~