Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-09-10
MACGREGOR'S
 BARROW
By J. J. BELL
sl~vlp.,ssyl,~-,.eJle..s.Vir

NoPySs6A1 " Sv0oPn o' oo"AooJ
 "An' whit dae ye say to yer gran paw fur the barra?" inquired Lizzie of her son, who was gazing with spark ling eyes at the small wheelbarrow which MT. Purdie had just purchased for him.
 Wee Macgregor said nothing, but he suddenly flung himself upon the old gentleman and hugged him warmly.
 "Hech, laddie!" cried MT. Purdie, panting and chuckling, yell squeeze a the breith oot O me. But I'm rale gled ye like yer barra. Yer granny wis fur gettin me to buy ye pictur'. book, but"
 T like the barra faur better nor a pictur'- book" said Macgregor. "Ye canna' gi'e folk hurls in a pictur'- book"
 Deed, that's vera true. Maybe ye wud like to gang oothye an gi'e some O yer wee freen's bit ride"
 "Ay. wud T." said Macgregor eag- erly.
 "Aff ye gang, then" said John, who was looking nearly as pleased as the youngster.
 At the close-mouth he encountered little girl with whom, for some time, he had been familiar in rather pat ronizing fashion. On one occasion he had chased away a small dog which in a playful mood had caused her much alarm, and since then she had regard ed him in the light of hero, and had somewhat embarrassed him with her attentions, for Macgregor was sorely afraid of the chaff of his boy friends, who, with the exception of his chum, Willie Thomson, were not slow to make jeering observations when they caught him in the company of his ad- mirer. Therefore, as a rule, he passed her without speaking, or at most with a hurried and awkward reply to her shy but eager remark, made in the fond hope of interesting him.
 But with his new wheelbarrow he was in nightly pleasant humor, and grinned so kindly that the little girl was quite Hurried with pride and de- light.
 See ma new barra!" said Macgreg- or, at the end of short silence.
 My" she exclaimed, admiringly.
 'It's an awful fine barra!"
 "Ay!"
 q got it frae Granpaw Purdie."
 Did ye?"
 "Ay, did I! An I'm gaun to gi'e folks hurls in it."
 My"
 Macgregor reflected for a moment; then remarked, If ye wis a laddie I wud gi'e ye hurl!"
 Katie's bright eyes clouded and her fair head dropped. From a pinnacle of pride she fell into the depths of hu- initiation. She wanted to say, I'm no heedin' aboot hurls!" but her throat frightened and her lip trembled, and she remained speeches..
 Macgregor repeated the invitation, with glance in her direction.
 Katie cast down her eyelashes and stood still.
 Are ye no wantin' a hurl?" he in. quired, trifle impatiently.
 "Ay," said Katie, hastily, but with out moving.
 Whit wey are ye greetin'?"
 "I'm no greetin'!"
 "Ye are so! Ye're greetin' because ye're lassie. Lassies is aye greetin'."
 They're no aye greetin'!" she ex. claimed, in flash of Indignation. But she was a gentle little soul, and she could not be cross with her hero. 'T'n no greet again." she said humbly. An I wud like hurl in yer nice barra, if ye please" She was too young to know, and he was too young to see the beauty of her eyes at that but they looked at each other, and their friendship became less one sided than it had been so far.
 Sit doon in the barra, Katie" said graciously.
 Yen no coup me?" said she, with an inquiring yet confiding glance.
 Nae fears! I'll no coup ye! Haud yer feet up."
 She raised her feet obediently, and pulled her short skirts over the darns on her knees.
 "T'll hurl ye to the corner an back again." said Maegregor.
 Aye" assented Katie, who was on to the sides of the vehicle and looking just the least thing afraid.
 They set off at a good pace, and when the corner was reached Katie wns smiling fearlessly and enjoying the envious stares of several little girls whom she chanced to know. Tho tourney back was all too brief in it's duration, and she rose from the bar row with undisguised reluctance. What a splendid thing 1t was to be hurled" by her hero!
 We're an awfu' strong laddie," she observed. admiringly.
 "Ay. I'm gey strong" he returned. trying not to pant.
 Tt wis awfu' nicel" she murmured, with a little sigh.
 Macgregor spat on his hands. "wud ye like anither hurl?~ he asked.
 "Ay. wud L Am no over heavy7'
 We're no heavy ava. Get into the barra. an I'll huTl ye to the ither cor ner. It's faurer."
 Katie nodded and besmed upon him. She took her place in the barrow. and