Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1901-08-30

fixed on the boy stretched on the grass
near him. He said If ever you want
ed to leave Moorby to let him know;
that he'd like to do something for
boy with such a good brain, and a head
for figures Those were his words,
Sammy
The boys thin face flushed as he
tursed TO look at his uncle. and he
spoke with nervous quickness:
Hes forgotten all about me long
before this. Uncle Hiram. why, that
school exhibition was two years ago
last June. and the judge didn't come
to Moorby last summer, you know. l
should be afraid to go and ask any
favor of him"
81 wish you hadn't such a bashfui
streak in you. Sammy" said Uncle Hi
ram. looking down at the boy with
half-reproachful, wholly aHectionate
smile. You're just like your poor pa.
A better man never lived, but he
wasn't built to get on in this world.
and he didn't get on. was hoping
you might have little more push than
your pa. Sammy, along with the good
ness. Now your mas gone, could he
moved anywhere; or could be put in
the county farm. Sammy. II 50 be 1t
seemed best for you to strike out to the
city alone. I'm nothing but helpless
old hulk. any way"
Don't you say that again. Uncle
Hiram, Don't you dare to- cried The
boy. fiercely. springing to his feet and
rushing like a whirlwind up7n the
figure In the old armchair Aren't
you all I've got in the world that be
longs to me? Do you suppose I'D go
away and leave you for the town to
take care of? I'd deserve to be hung!
"sho. now, Sammy" said the occu-
pant Of the armchair, gently, as he saw
the hot tears that stood in the boys
eyes. we haven't got anything but
each other either Of us; but here am.
lame SO I'm no good 10 stir about;
hands all knotted up with rheumatics,
so can't use en-, and you just spend
ing lour days distributing milk. and
saving and splitting. which any boy
with no such head for figures as you've
got could do full as we'll How much
did you earn last week, Sammy"
"Only three dollars. Uncle Hiram
answered the boy. slowly. you know
my work is always slack after the sum-
mcr people have gone The Judge and
his family are going next week. Their
hired girl told me to have Mr.. Sargent
make out the milk bill When | vert
there yesterday morning the Judge was
sitting on the side piazza. but he didn't
know me-
Did you make your manners 20
him. and give him a eoda lot4 at you.
Sammy" asked the rncic. anxiously
Il mistrust you kind Of hali-turned
your head away, or maybe the sun
was in his eyes
81 took oft my cap the best ! knew
how" said Sammy; but he barely
nodded to me. He wasn't reading or
anything, either"
Maybe he was calculating in his
head" suggested Mr. Lane. quickly
glancing up at the boy, and then avert
ing his eyes You recall how he told
you he used to love to do those mental
sums, same as you did at the exhibit
tion. Sammy"
The boy shook his head. and stood
for a moment looking across the fields
up to the hill on which stood the
judges house, its windows cleaning
bright in the morning sun.
mo. he's just forgotten me. Uncle
Hiram. that's ALL" he said after few
moments of silence I'm Just one af
the country boys to him. and guess
that's all | ever shall be He's the
only one that could give me a chance
Now must run over to Mrs. Lapham's
and finish piling her wood. VIII you
stay here and read till come 51cl-
at noon? The suns good and warm
today"
You'll find me sitting in my castle.
same as you sec me now said Mr.
Lane, cheerily pay my respects TO
Mrs. Lapham. and tell her wi9h she
could get out to enjoy this beautiful
weather. but always think of what
slightly view she has from that south
window of hers. took special note
of it that day Of the town celebration
when rode past the house, three years
back"
The CHEEKY smile fingered on Irncle
Hirams face till the hoy was well out
of sight beyond the turn in the road
and then 1t gave pace TO look of
patient pain.
He'd counted on the judges know
ing him" said the crippled man, turn
ing his head wearily against the soft
old cushion. 81 know it Just as well as
ie he'd said sol IF the judge had
shown signs of remembering him,
Sammy would have plucked I'M courage
to ask him II there was any chance
for him down below. Don't ! know
how he's kept at his study evenings
when he's been most too tired to sit
up? Seventeen years old last week,
and going to he hived up here all win
ter, and only Just earn enough to keen
us a-going"
Mr.. Lane pounded on the ground
with his cruteh in excitement, and
scared away squirrel which was on a
journey to a neighhoring elm.
Poor little creatur', didn't mean
to fright you" said Uncle Hiram. re-
gretfully: but Just recollect that
Sammy asked me if I'D full rs soon
call him Sam now he's seventeen. and
I've clean forgotten it ever since til
this minute, And he such boy. and
me such drag on him. and forgetting
such an easy thing as that III get
my mouth fixed for it when he comes
back. Sam I'll say to him. Sam. I'm
glad to see you back. Sam: and, Sam
I've had nice morning under thc
trees, Sam reckon the oftener
say IL for a spell. the easier it'll come
I'll practice it OFT and on tae rest a.
the morning to keep my hand in" sal
Uncle Hiram. wisely
Sammy's thoughts as he hurried
down the road that led to the iapham
house, were not very comforting.
I'm nothing but what the children
call fraid cat; that's all am he
said, bitterly. ANY other boy would
enasL IN IN the indigo and mako hin,