The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1900-05-02
snapped bis fingers and walked away


BEly's stp-< OF strength and her second
broom were both approaching exha1s-
ton She was standing Al ease, with
one hand oatstrstched and her eye
fixed on the faces Of the pssse1-ey,
when lady in short brown skirt and
thick boots came stepping gingerly
over the crossing and paused in front
Of her.
"Whst is your name. my dear:" she
asked, looking down At the child IS
she spoke, out OF pair Of keen gray
eyes.
Billy froEned and remained silent.
She Was not in communicative mood
But the lady was not 10 be baf1isd.
She waited moment or two, and then
said gently. HAS the poor little girl
lOs. Der tongue that she won't an
sver%
Billy hated grown-up people with
playful ways, and she did not wish to
be civil, but AZ that moment there oc-
CURED to her the idea that perhaps this
lady might be able TO take her away
from her broom and her crossing, and
from Jimmy, Aad from Liz Baker, and
from everyone She would like thst.
So she collected her senses snd answer
ed Billy" with as much civility IS
she could muster.
"Billyr' echoed the lady. what s
funny little name. Who gave it to
you. my dear? Your mother?7
Billy shook her head
Your father 90
Billy shook her hssd again.
"Ah~ said the lady, mnsingly. "No
father, 10 mother; sweeps crossing
and looks uncared for.n She pursed
up her lips in g b0sinesSiike way, and
taking out a notebook from her bag
wrote down something in a rapid
hand. Vow" she resumed, bending
over Billy esressingly, "how would
you like % leave ali this dirt and mis-
cry and come TO place where you
would have plenty to eat and drink,
and nice clothes to wear and 3 beautiful
bed TO sleep in? Would you like it,
Billy?"
Billy's black eyes flashed enthusiast
iczlly and her face slowed As she nod
ded in affirmation.
Then let ne see" said the lady, IT.
ferring 10 her notebook again. This
is Monday. Wen, on "Wednesday, two
days rhsr to-day, you understand, you
meet me here and IN take you to that
beautiful home. And now, goodbye,
my dear, and God bless you" and she
hustled away with q little hopping,
businesslike walk.
II was late that night when Billy
related her experience to Jimmy, as
they sat side by side on sn upturnsd
barrel IN the lee Of row OF tenvments.
She hsd intended at first to keep it =
deadly" but love snd the excitement
Of telling got the better Of reserve.
$50 that was her dodge, vas II ="
remarked Jimmy, with s dangerously
reserved reflection in his voice, amer
the narrative had been narrated with
the assistance Of many inte1ecticns
and interpretations
''She wanted to give me beautiful
home" Billy explained, readily, ''and
I'm goin', too-see il I don't"
"Yes, you're goin'r' he echoed scOrn-
fully. "Do you know what she is +?
She's Old Mother Gobbleup, and her
beautiful homes jist stone jug, and
once she sweeps you in there you'll
never see daylight again. Now you're
goin'-Ain't yes"
"Yes, 1 am. Any places better'n
this.n
"BinyF'
"Tes, il is "
"Bily, And I raised ye, and gave
We milk out Of a bottle, and KEEP We
when ye'd have died ef hadn't An
this's all We care. Ye'd go to Old
Mother Gobbleup, or any other old
mother, to get away. Oh, Billy! 1
didn't think it Of ye; no l didn't"
Billy turned her head away quickly.
"Ye-ye don't care"
"Yes, CO."
'Naw. We don't Ye like that old
Liz Baker thing; and We can keep her
too. !" she exclaimed, defantly.
"I don't was only fOolin'. don't
care 8 red cent about her," he asserted
lying with manlike glibness.
Billy's hard little fist stole. into jim
my's with quick shamefseed move
ment. "Swear We don't"
And Jimmy swore with convincing
ardor.
"Ye're 10 now, amt We, Billy ?" h'
asked, thoughtfully. 81 know ye are
eos raised We. Well, in three year.
yell be grOwed up and big, and ther
III marry ye, Bill"
BHly's eyes danced. To marry ;
man, and s man who worked in fac
tory, Could the bountifGl gods hav'
devised a prospect Of greater bliss
Her head dropped low on Jimmy
shoulder.
Swear it. Jimmy" she repeated
cornmandiDgly.
And again Jimmy lifted up his voic
and swOre with loud aud fearful deter
nination.
That's good nurmured Billy
softly, aud her arms went round hi
neck In an enthusiastic burst Of Low
and gratitude.
Jimmy unwcund her arms slowly
"Pm goin' to marry ye, Bill, amt q
be asked.
you've svore it," she answers
convincingly.
"Yes, and Pll stick to If, too. An
now you see your mine k.r keeps" b
continued with that air Of possession
'Fhich is mans prerosatlve, land ! Iik
ye. But Liz has got her feelin's too
and Pm goin' to kindly shake her OF
gently. See ?''
"Yes" answered Bill, and her hea,
dropped triie-
"rlI shake Liz of gently" he re
peated, land IN take you on for keeps
SeeT'
And in the unwritten history Of tn