Sunday Washington globe., 1902-02-09

RaIucu thc DoH atchaiAy ~
ments.
You don't mean to tell as, began Bene-
dict, when the boy, unable 20 stand the
steady gaze of his employer had turned ms
head aside, that you became possessed OF
the articles in question, by means altogether
contrary to the laws OF the United States
do your
yer KEEP after me bout bein' hungry
an knocked over er chickin' an digged
some pertaters up, F" said the boy slowly
Charlie" said Gordon, turning to
Browne, this is awful in one so young.
and in one whom we expS cted so much
rom. isn't it3"
Terrible, terrible, cried Browne, laugh
ing, there can be no hope for one so abau-
doned as Cap'n Bolivar is by his own un-
blushing confession"
"Doggone eff ever see sch people,
mumbled the boy, arising and going over to
the wagon. when they ain't got it they
guy" an when they glt it. they guy"
''Oh, Cap'n, my heart bleeds for you"
drawled Benedict, as he continued his as
saults upon the chicken and the potatoes;
ito think how cruelty deceived we have
been in you; its enough TO drive US to
drink 1t would, too, if there was anything
more to drink; to see such total depravity
in one so young and in one whom we have
ever regarded as model for all youths TO
fashion themselves after" Excuse me, he
added, turning away his head while l
shed a few tears upon so heart-rending
subject"
Didn't yer say yer was hungry, and
didn't yer keep after mef" cried the boy,
looking from one to the other Of the two
men,
Certainly, we did, answered Browne,
"and you came to our rescue nobly old
boy. But how in the devil did you happen
/ TO do it?"
Il tole yer afore,' replied the boy dat
| / knocked ther chicken over an dug ther
/ pertaters from out ther fell"
Well" said Benedict, II see that Charlie
and myself will have to undertake the di-
rection of your moral education immedi-
ately, Mr. Bolivar, as it pains me more than
can tell to see the liberal ideas you have
/ regarding the rights concerning other
! peoples property, and / should suggest
that we shall set aside a certain number Of
hours in each day for this very laudable
purpose" he added as he arose from the
grass and took his seat before the easel
which Browne had already arranged for
him.
Browne reclined in an easy position on
the ground with his hands clasped behind
his head, as he puffed coutentedly away at
his pipe.
Benedict, after filling and lighting his
piDe, took his seat, colors and brushes, and
began to rapidly paint the magnificent scene
which lay stretched out before him in all
its natural beauty.
This work had always been a source Of
Nss.a a
vated and ignorant Bolivar He would take
up his position directly behind Benedict
whenever that leisurely gentleman would
feel disposed to work, and there he would
stand silently for hours at a time, hardly
daring to breathe as Gordon skillfully
painted whatever subject he thought would
interest the firm for W. I'm he was working
While the boy was rarely abashed in any
ones presence, yet he seemed to regard
Gordon with a species of awe, largely in.
termingled with admiration With Browne
It was different He seemed to understand
his happy disposition thoroughly, and no
doubt liked him greatly, as did everyone
else with whom he was acquainted. But
Gordou's quiet and ofttimes ridiculous
humor puzzled the boy. His skill in paint.
ing also served to make the boy regard him
as type of man far removed from the
average. And then his magnificent voice,
which he sometimes displayed either in
singing or reciting as the wagon went toll
ing along some quiet country road, further
increased the admiration Of the boy for the
man. But what the rough uncultured lad
could more readily understand and appre-
ciate was the almost herculean sire myth
| possessed by Gordon Once in the stable
yard at Poolesville Bolivar had objected to
stableman kicking his horse, and the
hulking fellow had struck the boy brutal
blow in the face for his interference. The
blow cut the little fellows face and caused
him to cry somewhat, although blows and
this unfortunate child had never been very
long strangers. In his laborious calling
along the canal oHenses Of this kind were
Of daily occurrence, and Bolivar submitted
to the Pooleville stableman's 8 assault ia the
same dumb manner he had submitted to
many similar Oues before
No one would have ever been the wiser
in this matter had not Gordon at this mo-
ment appeared at the door of the hotel and
called to the boy to inquire the whereabouts
of Browne Seeing Bolivar's face bleeding
and the evidence Of recent tears Gordon
quickly crossed overto him and asked the
cause of it.
Inc lau huug MS mead down and said
nothing, still continuing to wipe the blood
away that was streaming down his cheek,
! while his slight chest heaved convulsively
as he manfully tried to keep back the tears
that were struggling to his eyes.
Gordon's whole manner underwent sud
den change, and he frightened the boy as
he grasped him by his ragged jacket and
sternly demanded to know who had been
the cause of his injury.
Him, sobbed Bolivar, pointing to the
stablemau, who was standing against the
wall talking to several other employees.
/ ''Hit me cause l asked him not to kick
| Claude"
Without another word Gordon released
his hold uoon the boy and made a rush for
his brutal assaiant. The fellow having
seen the boy in conversation with Bene.
dict, Immediately OWNED his intention,
and when Gordon started for him he put
himself on the defensive; and although he
was a strongly made fellow, Benedict had
him grappled by the throat in the twink
| ling Of an eye and was raining blow after
blow upon his upturned countenance.