The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1907-08-03
The Feet Of the
Children.
By Norman Duncan.

~ Ey Norman Duncan. +
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''Once Of still night at Twist Tickle
(when | was grown to be eleven) my
uncle came betimes to my room 10
make sure that was snug IN my sleep.
Twas fall weather without, the first
chill and frosty menace Of winter
abroad: clear, MINDLESS, with all the
stars that ever shOne a-tWlnkle in the
far velvet depths CT the sky beyond
the low window Of my room. | had
drawn wide the curtain to let the
companionab!e lights come in; to
stare, too, into the vast pools of shad-
ows, which was the sea, unquiet and
sOmbre beneath the serenity and
twinkling splendor of the night. Thus
l lay awake, high on the pillows,
tucked to my chin: but feigned rest
full slumber when | caught the sigh
and downcast tread Of his coming.
"'Dannie,' he whispered, is you
awake?
Il made no answer.
"'Ah, Dannie, isn't you?
"Still | would not heed him.
~ wisht you was, he sighed, for
I'm wonderful lonely the night, lad,
an wantin' t talk SPELL
"'Twas like a childs beseeching. l
was awake at once-wide awake for
him: moved by the usefulness of this
appeal to some perception Of his need.
Gan is you comfortable, Dannie,
lynn there in your own little bed?'
Gay, sir
"'An' happy?'
"'Grand, sir!' said I.
''He crept softly to my bed You
don't mind?' he whispered I drew
my feet away to make room. He sat
down, and for a moment patted me
with the tenderness Of woman You
don't mind? he ventured again, in
diffidence I did not mind (but would
not tell him sol; nay, SO far was |
from any objection that I glowed with
content in this assurance Of loving
protection from the ills Of the world
No.? said he. I'm glad O that: for
I'm so wonderful old an lonely, an
you're sort O all | got. Dannie. t
fOndle. It's pleasant t. touch a thing
that's young an not yet smirched by
sin an trouble. IT'S some sort O cure
for the souls o. broken folk, I'm think
in. An you don't mind? I'm glad O.
that. You're gettin' SO wonderful old
yourself, Dannie, that | was bit
afeared. A baby yerterday an man
the morrow! You're near crowned up
Eleven year DID, with a wry smile. in
which was no pride, but only poignant
regret. You're near crowned up
Presently he withdrew little. 'Ay,'
said he gently; you is housed an clad
an fed. So much I've managed we'll
enough He paused-distraught his
brOws bent, his hand passing aimless-
~ over the scars and gray stubble of
his head. You're happy, Dannie?' lie
asked, looking up. Come, now. is YOU
sure? You'd not be maxim game O.
the old man, would you. Dannie?
You'd not tell un you was when you
wasn't. would you? Is you sure you're
happy? An you're glad, is you, t. be |
Twin ali alone at Twist Tickle with a
OIL Teller like Nick Top?'
Wonderful happy, SIR answered,
used to the question. free and prompt
In response; happy. sir-with YOU
can you is sure?'
Il was sure.
. "I'm glad O. that he continued. but
with no relief of the anxious gloom
upon his face. I'm glad you is COM
Portable an happy. l low said he.
that poor Tom Galloway would like f
get word of it. Poor Tom. Poor OF
Tom! Lord love you. lad, he was
your father: an he loved you well-all
too well. l low he'd be wonderful
glad just t. know you was comfortable
an happy-an' good. You is good, isn't
you? oh, knows you is, An | wisht
Tom Galloway could know. visit he
could: for low 'twould perk un I'D
bit in the place he's to. t. get wind of
t that his little Dannie was happy
With Oh Nick Top. He've good deal
: BEAR I'm thinkin', where he's to: an
twould give un something t. distract
lis mind if he knowed you was dom
veil. But, Dannie, lad he pursued,
With lively little flash of interest.
Ehey's queer thing about that. Now
ad, mark you! tits easy enough t. send
Messages Aloft; but when it comes t.
ettin' line or two O. comfort t. tho