The Press., 1903-03-12

fine my aims an back SO hut me I
kin hardly walk. was cumin' out de
place wen 1 see a hunk err bread an
piece er bacon cen de closet do, an,
missus, 1 bin SO hongry l tex um an
sneak off. l know l wuz wrong, but |
wuz so weak an hongry couldn't help
| it. Den sneak an hide an sneak an
i hide till l cum yeah, an bin yeah so
! long now dat 1 gittin' berry sick. I
/ ane had all dis time ting ter eat 'cep'
+, de nuts an berries. l begs de good
/ Lord cherry mite ter TEX me befO my
| daddy cum, cause l can't let UNI kill
| me, an l too little an too weak ter
help myself"
The poor little fellow burst into
tears. Alice was not ashamed to let
her own tears fall freely, and soon a
band Of sympathizers stood around the
unfortunate child. A basket of food
intended for a lunch was quickly
opened, and Tony made a royal meal
| Before leaving Alice said:
''Tony, do you know the city? Well,
live on Rutledge avenue near Spring
street, and if you will come to my
you"
"Oh, missus, 1 'fraid ter go cen de
town less 1 know fur sure l ane
gwine meet my daddy"
"Alice," said one Of the larger boys,
"let him stay here tonight, and tomor-
row / will come out with an officer
and bring Tony in under his protec-
ton. If that brute shows up, he will
be arrested"
This suggestion meeting with ap-
prevail, the picnickers soon after de-
parted.
After prayers of thanks to God for
his deliverance Tony lay down and
slept the sweet, untroubled sleep Of
| childish faith in the eagerly expected
tomorrow" In the morning he almost
forgot in his joy his past enforced ST.
lence and played happily in the woods
for some time. The sun was hot, and
he soon became tired and hungry. Co
ing to the hollow tree which served as
his storehouse, he and the squirrel were
soon enjoying the remnants of the good
things of the day before. Suddenly he
paled, and his heart stopped in fear.
He heard stealthy steps behind him
and, looking round quickly, was just in
time to save himself from an appraised
stick in the hands Of his enraged IA
ther.
Flying up the first tree he saw, Tony
failed to notice until too late that it
was not strong enough to bear his
weight; SO, holding ON as tightly as he
could, he trembled for his safety either
way. A storm of wild abuse came from
the man, who was in a fury. He viO-
lently shook the tree, which almost at
once dislodged his victim. No sooner
had Tony touched the earth than he
was seized by the ruffian, who bella
bored him, accompanying each blow
with the vilest language and most
frightful kicks. Scream after scream
filled the air until, with one piercing
shrek, the sufferer sank into blessed
Inconsistencies. Rapidly approaching
footsteps were heard, and the wretch,
hurting the little PROSTATE form against
tree, took to his heels He was too
late however. An officer and two young
men seized him, and a wild fight for
freedom followed. The coward was
soon conquered and was with much
trouble taken to the station house,
while the unconscious boy was cared
for by persons attracted by the noise.
AS soon as Tony was able to attend
court the wretch who caused his suf-
ferings was tried and sentenced, to q
term of years at hard labor in the peni-
tertiary.
Tony soon after became stable boy at
the home of Alice Brewster. The little
fellow developed spirit of true cour-
age and a rare degree of gratitude. AS
if a pail had been lifted from his liz
he blossomed out under the care and
kindness he received in his new home.
His doglike devotion to Alice and his
watchfulness over her were indeed
beautiful. If she wished to ride, he
took the greatest care in grooming her
pony.
Tony was about four and one-half
feet in height and but for his bumped
back a well formed boy. His skin was
of the clean black best liked by the
white families Of the south. Now that
he knew there was no danger of meet
the woods to gather nuts, berries and
flowers for his young mistress.
His blind idolatry was SO well under
stood that Alice would often go on long
walks or rides at early morning with
no guide or protector but this child.
The life of a servant does not contain
much Of adventure, but this boy, no
matter what he might have developed
had his lot been cast in other surround
ings, was an honor to any race. Natu.
rally religious, as is the bent Of the ne.
gro, he was to his young mistress the
soul Of honor and SO deeply grateful
that his life was simply dedicated to
her.
The next two years passed unevents
fully. Tony continued the faithful dis.
charge Of his duties and enjoyed the
happiness of peaceful life. Affects
eighteenth birthday was to be celsbrat-
ed in festivities extending over several
days, and the air was full Of prspayae
ton. Tony was now Invaluable, az he
brought In from the woods for decora.
ton the beautiful gray moss and the
sweetest wild flowers.
a gFanu OAK ree with spreading
branches stood in front of the Brewster
home. For almost hundred years Il
had been there, and it had come to be
a landmark in the city. In the branches
OF this oak Tony and the squirrel had
been allowed to play at will, and 1t was
astonishing to observe the agility Of
the boy as he swung from limb to limb
In play with the animal. The gay crowd.
gathered to see the fun, filed the air
with peals Of laughter, and nearly ev.
cry day witnessed repetition Of this
diversion. The evening of the birthday
party came and went, and happy, tired
heads sought their pillows and were
suon wrapped in sleep. Near morning
the loud peal of the doorbell which
startled the household was answered
by Mr.. Brewster from front window.
He was Mortified to see flames issuing
from the windows of the floor below.