Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-06-07
TOMS GOOD NAME.

Natty Byrne sat on his high stool
near the one window of the ca bin in the
falling dusk. He was tired of waiting.
very tired. but his grandfather's orders
had been explicit. "Shtay here, Natty
till we see me ag'in. There's bread in
the cupboard an maybe a taste o. but
ther, an I'll bring somethin swate for
ye from Carmore." | do not saw that
Natty had not thought of disobeying
AS matter of fact, the temptation had
required at short intervals during the
whole afternoon, once in the almost ir-
resistible form, that he ought TO 90 and
look at the pig. but ne bad got no far
ther than the door. he had great feel
ing Of importance too. He had never
been left alone for so long before and
the burden of responsibility pleased
him. He had also a vague idea that
something was going 10 happen, because
two days before his grandfather had
written a letter The letter had cost
old Nat half n days work. and he had
used whole penny packet of stationery
over it.
AS it grew darker Natty began 20
feel a little afraid. He would have left
the high stool il the dignity derived
from his exalted position had not bal
anoed the fact that his bare feet did not
touch the ground. He was very proud
of the stool. No other boy he knew had
one like it, and although it was ex-
tremely inconvenient he often insisted
upon eating his meals at that distin-
guished altitude.
From time to time he glanced furtive-
lx~o h.. ~ -
narrow and dark. set against the wall
like ships berth. had a sinister look
in that ambiguous twilight. Even Nat
tvs own little crib. which consisted Of
deal platform raised a foot from the
floor, with n mattress on the top of it,
looked unfamiliar. The peats on the
open hearth burned dimly, the chairs
seemed to have doubled in bulk since
the sunshine faded, the rough wood ia
BILE loomed large and grim. After every
furtive survey the boy brought his eyes
back TO the gray square OF the window
with little shivering gasp. 1t occurred
Co him TO light the lamp, but as that
was an office he had never performed,
it being beyond his years, he felt him
self unequal to the task. Besides, that
would mean trotting over the floor, and
in the darkness his bare feet might
touch something horrible.
But all at once he grew quite brave
again. for he heard the sound of foot
steps coming slowly up the mountain
pathway. 1t was too dark TO see who it
was. but, of course, it must be old Nat,
and Natty promptly began to wonder
what the ''somethin swate" might be
that was ut that moment doubtless get
ting warm and sticky in his GRANDPA
theirs pocket He climbed down from
his stool and battered softly over the
hard earth floor to the door. The foot
steps paused and there was a knock.
Natty's heart went down into his
plump toes. He was so terrified that he
could not move to raise the latch. The
knock was not repeated, but the door
was softly opened. and Natty saw q dim
head thrust in.
''Is Nat Byrne at homer" asked a
voice.
"Plase, sorr, nor gasped Natty.
''Whin II he be back, an who are You
at all?"
He'll be back, sorr, this minute an
plase. I'm Natty." The stranger came
in and closed the door. He peered curl
ously around the room.
IAN who is Natty? Where are ye at
alp
Here" said Natty.
lis it down there ye are? Well, we'll |
Have ye light? Sure a cat couldn't see
In the like av thisr'
Natty, somewhat reassured, set a
small lamp on the table and carried a
box of matches to his visitor.
Twill We light it, sorr? don't know
the way av itP'
The matches were taken from his
hand. and presently, to the boys re-
lieved eyes. the familiar cabin shone be-
fore him again. He was afraid no Ion
ger. The idea of thief never occurred
to him, and il it had, so far as Natty
knew, there was nothing TO steal.
"Sit down. sorr, he said, ''in the lit
tie CHAIR" he added. 1.-The big vans
grandad's The stranger obeyed him in
silence. and Natty climbed up to his
stool again to bring himself to a proper
conversational level
$50 ye're Toms and Biddy's boy?"
i am that. said Natty