The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-06-26


assailants hurting at them whatever
came in his way and with so good an
aim that the frightened boys ran for
the shelter of the school house.
As he stood waiting for them to
venture out voice near said, do
you think you have punished them
enough9" Quickly turning he saw a
man leaning against the fence and
keenly regarding him.
"No sir" he answered hotly, Pm
afraid l didn't hurt any of them"
"Would that have been right?"
II suppose not, sir, but I'd do it just
the same and be glad of the chance;
I didn't do or say anything to the
boys, just minded my own business;
it is tough if fellow can't walk
quietly along the road without being
treated like that; its just because of
my old patched, dusty clothes and
worn out shoee; l wonder how much
better they would look in such rig
and no one to keep them fixed up"
After this speech the man quietly
said, "You had better come home
with me, it's but short distance and
your hand needs attending to. In his
excitement the boy had forgotten the
physical injury. He started to accom-
pany his adviser, then stopping sud-
denly, said, 'No sir, thank you all the
same, probably if there's women
they'll scream at sight of me, call me
tramp and watch for fear I'll steal
something, that's the way | was
treated last night, the man was will
ing l should stay. Now if them we'll
dressed buffers at the school-house
should ask they could stay. if they'd
do anything wicked it wouldn't be
believed of them, they're such pretty
boys. Then l went to a barn and
crawled in on the hay, dog came in
barking and tried to bite me. l got
out and ran till the dog was tired
following me. Then | came to an
old tumbled down shanty and slept
there as we'll as | could"
"Well, my boy, all the same you
had better come home with me and
find out how you will be treated"
Without another word the two pro-
ceeded along the main road, then to
a turn and came in sight of farm
house looking very comfortable and
pleasant to the hungry and weary
boy. Entering the kitchen his host
said, "Wife have company you see,
will you get bandage for his hand ?"
Then pointed to the sink where was
water and the necessary toilet arti-
Giles. Taking the clothes brush the
boy went out in the yard, returning
in few moments minus the dust.
After vigorous additions and hair
brushing, he was again keenly OBJ
served by his host, while the wife
looked smiling approval as she
deity bandaged the bruised hand.
At the supper table there was
pleasant conversation. the lads face
frightened, his nature responded to
the restful home influence; the hearts
of the gray-haired couple inclined
toward him.
He said, thoughtfully looking at
his host, you remind me of my
grandfather, only you are younger"
What was his name!"
Rupert Hale, l am named after
him; he died last week, we we're the
last of our family; we had lived alone
since mother died four years ago; we
had twenty acres of land, COW and
horse. We raised vegetables and
sold them in the city until year ago
when he had paralysis, and never
walked again; he became worse, no.
thing helped him. The doctors bill,
the help we had. the food and medi.
cine took all the property, and a
neighbor who had been good to us
thought l could do better farther out
in the country, so / came. I've told
you the luck | have had so far"
During this recital the tears were
coursing down his face, by him un-
needed. That night, in a pleasant
little room, perfumed with roses and
sweet-scented geraniums from an op-
en- window, the lad sank into refresh
ing slumber, and was smiling in his
sleep when the good man of the
house looked into his room.
The couple held a consultation in
regard to the boy while she busily
fashioned for him needed garments.
Rupert awoke light hearted, as
though some burden of trouble had
been removed; the buoyancy of youth
and kindness had frightened the