Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-31
Johnnie McGlew.
BY James Riley.

1t was a CHEEKY August morning. thirty
seven years ago. that little Johnnie Nc
Glew. then just seven years Of age. walked
down the green path from the house of
Edward Thornton and turned his way
down the country road to the right.
In his little red handkerchief he carried
all his personal effects. They consisted OF
a change OF linen and pair Of blue jean
pantaloons-mates to the ones he had on.
TWO weeks before Edward Thornton had
taken johnnie McGlew, agreeing to bring
him up until he was sixteen. Johnnie was
to go to school summer and winter, do
chores and peg shoes. To reach the Jack
In peggfng Johnnie had been obliged to
stand upon stool.
Yesterday Mr.. Thornton had gone to the
village shoe mandatory with the first
shoes Of Johnnie's pegging and fault had
been found by the manufacturer.
So Johnnie must go; perhaps 1t was
mercfful the word was not broken to him
that night.
The next morning after breakfast Mrs.
Thornton gathered up the scant wardrobe
sof Johnnie's and told him he must leave.
One year from Ireland the rugged new
ness or everything pertaining to New Eng
land, at that time more evident than now.
had not taken from little Johnnie McGleW' 8
mind memories of his own dear native
fields and bright waters. Then, too, the
looh VI dSe upon landscape, So polelt
to other minds from old lands, had not
been lost on Johnnie, who saw in the fields
before him as he trudged on only the sem
blance of nature.
His mother lived as domestic three miles
away, and Johnnie, her only son, was on
his way thither. His journey led past the
school house, with its playground, where he
had attended school while living with the
ThorntoEs.
Three roads there converged and left the
playground diamond-shaped in the center,
as they curved to the right and left.
During his days at school Johnnie had
endeared himself to the scholars of the dis
trict He had brought with him rich
store Of rhymes, fables and ghost stories
from Ireland, and his excellent memory
and rich brogue had given zest to the feast
The scholars had all laughed to hear him
pronounce w-dubloo, and put his failing
in rhyme, which they 1aughingly sang:
Johnnie McGlew
He says dubloo
This local literature they rhymed to
Johnnie's own favorite poem-'T'here Was
An Old Woman Lived Under a Shoe"
All this made Johnnie McGlew now hold
back, as he drew near the crowd Of the
hill that overlooked Longmead school
house. The boys who had been his mates
for two weeks were still at play. And he,
not wishing to be seen by them, waited.
He stood at the top Of the hill and looked
upon them for some time, hoping the bell
would ring. But it did not, and he pressed
on.
The large boys were having a game Of
two old cats Dong obsolete) as the little
traveller came down the hill. The two
largest boys, upon seeing Johnnie. dropped
their catsticks.
''Helloi Johnnie McGlew, he says dub
loov" cried Bob Gushing, the foremost.
Where we goin'?' cried half dozen in
answered refrain. as they made a circle
around Johnnie.
Guess ye left ThorntonS," cried Bob.
why don't We speak?"
Guess he has," said Ike Benson. 'See,
he's got his bundle with him."
Where We gein' back to Ireland?" cried
out Dan Walters, the biggest boy and ne
most arrant bully of tue school, as he ran
up and Joined the crowd.
well, ye ken go If ye want ter" cried
Ike Benson. "Guessll get along 'thout
him"
The circle now formed around the silent
traveller had left him beside a fat low
rock, and seeing he could not get past his
tormentors Johnnie McGlew sat down upon
1t and in despair burst into tears.
Homeless, friendless and wronged, this
poor waif must not even be allowed to pass
on in silence, but his i'll fortune must be
the sport of an idle jest. Still, there is all
ways in the human heart an undercurrent
of pity that leads to justice and eventually
breaks down the barrier Of prejudice.
Now we made him feel bad" said Bob
Gushing, deprecatinSly, as he looked up at
Dan Walters.
AS he spoke number of girls came run
ming over the hill, attracted by the crowd
on the green.
Ellen Frazier, the largest of the number
pushing through the crowd, hurriedly in
CURED the cause of Johnnie. When she