The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1908-12-23

LEY Iedcueu only as Tar us his knees
below that was the firm. brown skin
but they and the saucy little head
covering which was neither hat nor
cap soon became the envy of the small
boys of Seayiew
Originally Seaview had been a small
settlement which had furnished the
surrounding farmers with the few
necessary things they could not raise
| But one day an artist stroller wan
dered in and did the place the honor to
be pleased. After that came gradual
transformation. A dozen or more cot
tages took possession of the more pic
turesque points, and here and there a
hotel rose to meet the wants of those
who could not own cottages. 1t had
the reputation of being very exclusive.
When the group of strangely dressed
children came into town there were
many who gazed at them with suspi-
cion. But as the days and weeks went
by and nothing was missed the distrust
gradually gave place to idle curiosity
a few even showed some friendly in
terest. The children were neither beg
CARS nor thieves: that much was now
conceded by all. At present they seem
ed perfectly able to take care of them
selves. When cold weather arrived it
would be time enough TO take some ac-
| ton in the matter
Every day they could be seen on the
beach, along the banks of the river. on
the wharf. catching crabs, digging
clans and fishing. Even the tiny little
! fellow in picturesque kirtle spent most
of his time in racing up and down the
/ beach with crab net aud basket Ev-
cry morning the girls went back into
the fields after wild flowers or over to
the shallow lake after pond lilies. And
as the days went by and the people be-
came more familiar with their bright
faces and eager ways they grew more
liberal in their patronage. The signs
of prosperity began to show in the
disappearance of the snowy rags and
the substitution of such garments as
were worn by the village children The
transformation began with the little
fellow in the kirtle and extended by
slow degrees to the girls and the other
small boy
The oldest boy still wore the faded
jacket and red trousers. He was here
and there and everywhere. working
smiling. asking questions, making
notes and taking his new knowledge
home to the children.
few days later as Mrs Roper stood
idly on her piazza she saw him going
toward the kitchen entrance with
basket of crabs.
Say. boy" she called. "come here
minuter'
The basket was. quickly set upon the
ground, and he hurried across to the
piazza
"Ion haven't told me your name vet
she suggested
Name Paoli; fader's an grandfaders
name before me-
We'll. Paoli want you to tell your
sister to bring me large bunch of
pond lilies tomorrow. How old are YOU.
Paoiy
Il nebba know. fink pretty old
| seen good many t'ings. How old
you s'pose beg"
Il should say about fourteen or fif-
teen
Den t'ink | bout dat old-'bout
fo'tpen or fifteen. You have some crab
tomorra -
Yes. YOU may bring me few. and
oh. Paoli. what is the matter with your
hands,"
Tho hny In
bands complacently
IL wash dem-Scrub. scrub, scrubi-
an make de brudders an sisters
wash. an We clean de room an fix I'D
things see dat Amerihy peoples no
had dirt like peoples in home country.
We Ameriky peoples now" Then a
sudden sparkle came into his eyes
DE school begin next mont, an hab
de brudderS an sisters to go. cot
dem all dress up nice like Ameriky
peoples. t'ink Gey make somebody"
But why don't you get some Amer
lean clothes and go to school yourself,
Paoii!"
The boys face became grave.
Il like to. but no ready vet. Desc
tings costa mOnna. an de fader"-the
ready smile returning to his face-''haf
to look out for &c little ones When
dey go to school somebody haf to make
de monna. Mebba 60 some time"
The next day Mrs. Roper was again
on the piazza when she saw him COM
ing up the path. This time he had no
basket. and there was no smile on his
face. Instead Of going round TO the
kitchen he came directly up the piazza
steps.
What is it," she asked kindly.
Dis And he took from beneath
his jacket a pair of small opera
glasses,
My glassesr' she exclaimed in sur.
prise Il had not even missed them
Where did you ind them?'
MY brudder-stole dem"
What