The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1899-05-13
THE RED LIGHT.
BY MRS. SARAH p. BRIGHAM.


of spending money, aud fine
saddle.horse, pony and small ph;cton toI
his exclusive use. He possessed, moreover
quite capital in concet and arrogance
Not far from the Amesby estate, at tht
narrow cross-road, stood small, implanted
house. Over the door was board display
ing the words:
"WAsHING AND IRONING "
This was the home Of Abel Hathaway
His widowed mother, by hard work, earned
their livelihood.
Abels possessions were a robust pooy
and an unusual aptitude for learning
The two boys attended the same school,
and the lavish praises Abel received from
the teacher excited the envy and hatred OF
CYRUS. He saw in him rival.
When the day came for the examination,
the school-room was crowded with an eX-
pectant audience. Composition ana aecia-
nation occupied the last hours
CYRUS Amesby was the first speaker lie
acquitted himself very creditably, and the
close attention he received was flatterlng to
his sel..importance, and made him confident
of winning the prize.
Abel stepped upon the platform with a
nervous. awkward gait. But the excite
ment OF the occasion acted as spur to his
.reroies In n moment all dread was over.
Words leaped from his mouth, and the
people were charmed and delighted
"Abe Hathaway is natural orator, "
said Esquire Jones to another OF the COM
mittee.
Gle is wonderful boy" was the hearty
reply.
The committee unanimously decided the
nrize belonged to Abel, as the finest speaker
in the school.
When Cyrus saw him take from Mr..
Monted 8 hands beautifully-bound volume
of Longfellow's poems, and heard his
praises, there was fierce glare in his eyes,
and jealousy and rage burned holly within
him. He was greatly surprised and disap-
pointed. A poor boy, son OF washer
woman, who earned his books by making
fires and taking care of the schoo-house,
had surpassed him. He felt wounded and
humiiated by it.
When the exercises were over, the vlsl-
tors departed. Then Mr.. Monted took
leave of his pupils, and they parted and
started for their respective homes.
CYRUS went as far as the street and
stopped a moment, and began to retrace his
steps He was in right mood for an
assault, and longed to taunt his rival.
1t was Abel's work to lock the school
house, and he had not yet come out and
must be there.
CYRUS found him piling little heap OF
wood in closet opening out of the hall.
'Suppose you feel happy, now you've
got the prize ~ began Cyrus, in tantaliz-
ing voice.
eyes l am very much pleased. 1t is a
streak OF luck l didn't expect. began to
think good fortune would never come to
me-"
"Well, shouldn't feel very grand about
it, if my mother was a washer-woman''
said Cyrus, provokingly.
The hot blood mounted to AbePs face,
but he made no reply.
"And your father was drunkard and
your grandfather died in the poor-house
Don't see as you have much to boast or"
Still Abel spoke not.
''What do you expect to become with
such blood in your veins? Expect to be
Judge, general or president p
There was fiery flash in Abel's eyes at
these singing words.
"Cyrus Amnesty, ! won't be insulted by
you II your father is rich and lives in
big house, you are not any better for it.
You are so proud and domineering you
can't make friends. Every boy in town
hates you, and"
There was loud slam of the closet door.
Cyrus shut it violently and pushed forward
the bolt, and Abel was his prisoner.
"Open the door and let me out ~ shout
ed Abel.
"Take back what you said about me, !"
commanded Cyrus.
81 won't - reared Abel.
''Then stay where you are till you learn
to talk better ~
Cyrus started off, leaving Abel shut in
the closet.
He intended to return in few moments
and let him out. He had given vent to his
angry feelings, and all he wanted was to
punish Abel little for his insolence.
In about five minutes his Cousin James
was seen approaching.
ICY y he called out, 'who do you think
has come?'
"Who has?' inquired Cyrus quickly.
"Uncle Peter, from India, and he's
brought mother shawl and me a monkey,
and lots of fine things"
This unexpected news sent all thought
NNse AvgmmHSara