The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-02-25


of the barrel but what the wind blew
from the north, and IL she changed to
the north side, the wind was bound to
shift to the south.
The idea of a boy being useful, and
such specimen as this appeared to be,
haunting the premises all day like q
disconcerting spirit.
There's a sitter full over on that
barrel; you kin sift that, IL you're SO
terrible anxious, and then you go
straight home"
Miss Eliza went back to her plants
but many grub had Mugsy to thank
that night for undisturbed dreams for
Miss Eliza could not forget the figure
as IL looked, asleep by the cistern; and
when Mugsy appeared at the door with
the sitter, holding generous supply
of rescued bits of coal. she handed him
a thick slice of bread spread with mo-
lasses, saying
Il s'pose you're hungry again by
this time"
Il alters Isl" and looking up at Miss
Eliza with his mouth full, he said, kin
stay here? amt got no place"
"You mean you amt got no folks;
where'd you sleep last night?"
Down de road, under some boards;
twuz freezin'."
Miss Eliza went back to the kitchen,
and left Mugsy sitting on the steps.
She drew the table to the center Of
the room, spread the red cloth, and
put two plates in place, the last quite
forcibly, as she said aloud
well, tenny rate, he shan't sleep out
doors tonight, laying up rheumatism
enough to last his natural life. You-er-
Mu-Mugsy (setch an onchristian name
l never heard, come in here"
Mugsy came just over the threshold
and stood staring about while the lamp
was lighted and the curtains drawn.
Standing in the lamp light Miss Som
ers could see where the buttons were
gone from the thread-bare coat; that
1t was all that sheltered Mugsy from
the cold.
"Ain't you got any flannels?" said
Miss Eliza.
"Flannens!" said Mugsy, blankly,
"dats me coat"
do you see that sofy?" said Miss
Eliza, pointing to venerable specimen
that stood in the corner Of the kitchen.
well, am going to give you COM
forter and you can sleep there tonight,
and in the morning we'll see. If you
were girl, now, | should know better
what to do with you; but boy!"
"Yes-em."
"You sit down there" said Miss
Eliza, pointing to the chair opposite
her own, "and drink this bowl Of tea;
then you might as well go to bed"
Mugsy sat down and not only drank
the tea, but also ate some bread and
one Of the cherished doughnuts, and
then obediently lay down on the sofa;
as Miss Eliza tucked in the comforter,
he turned on his side and said drow-
silly
me warm, and amt hungry"
Miss Eliza took off her glasses and
wiped them, they blurred suddenly.
How that kettle does steam," she
said.
BY the time the few dishes were
washed, she could tell by the heavy
breathing from the sofa that her new
lodger was safe for the night.
She took the lamp and went into the
adjoining room where she slept, and
returned with suit of her own fan
nels which she proceeded to abbreviate
as to the extremities; this done, she
locked up the house and went to bed.
She was up bright and early in the
morning, but not earlier than Mugsy,
for when she opened her door, there
he was on the hearth, before freshly
kindled fire.
"Hello!" he said.
"Well, l am beat" said Miss Eliza,
and faint smile might have been seen
lurking about the corners OF her mouth
as she filled the kettle, but she spoke
no word Of commendation. Mugsy was
a boy. and she did not know what he
might not do next.
After breakfast Miss Somers brought
from the barn large basket of dried
beans which she gave Mugsy to she'll
and carefully locking up the rest Of the
house she left Mugsy in the kitchen
charging him on no account to go out
and with her basket ON her arm she
started for the village.
There at the store she bought a suit
of boys clothes, boots and cap.
Miss Eliza hurried home and found
Mugsy playing mysterious game with
few of the beans he had finished
shelling.
Mugsy's eyes grew round with Won
der as Miss Eliza opened the bundles
and dressed him in his new clothes.
There, you look like somebody now;
but If you'd been girl, could made
you look better; boys clothes are ter.
rible expensive. AS Mugsy made him.
self useful about the house and barr
during tAe day, Miss Eliza's thoughts
ran somewhat in this fashion,
Hes sort Of handy, and IL he'd beer
a girl. don't know but l might hav,
kept him; but never could abide boys