Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1909-12-17
i nope YOU -T- -eA-

I she knew MIN then.
Its the young man who runs,
she said. Il am glad to see you
again. Will you seat yourself on the
porch?"
I'll sit here, ma'am, thank you.
he said and balanced himself on the
edge of the porch flooring.
She looked him over carefully, not.
ing again the red spots on his seck-
led cheeks.
"And which shall it be?" she asked.
Water, or milk, or buttermilk?"
"It will be buttermilk. ma'am.' he
answered. "1f not too much trou'
BILE"
She speedily brought him the pitch
er and he drank two glasses with a
great relish.
Its fine" he smilingly told her.
"And are you still continuing the
treatment?" she asked him.
Eyes. ma'am." he answered, an
it's helpin' me great deal. I've
lost three pouIds in week"
Her compassionate look came back.
"And have you no homer" she
asked.
NO, ma'am." he answered. II
can't remember that ever had a
home. I'm just a boy ont OF the
streets. I've taken lot o hard
knocks, but I've never seen tn day
when | didn't have enough to eat an
some kind of a place to sleep. An
hats about all there is TO it, ma'am. "
she shook her head at this some
what grim bit of philosophy, but be-
fore she could answer il he had
drawn away from the porch.
This won't do. maam." he said
and his eyes kept up their twinkli"g.
I'm forgetting the treatment Every
moment ! loiter here adds an ounce
or two to my weight. Goodby, ma'am,
an heaven keep YOU" And he loped
down the walk 10 the highway and
disappeared behind the high hedge.
'I wish old DR.. Phipps could see
him." said the lady. 81 feel sure his
treatment is too severe. Poor boy,
with no home. and nowhere to go il
his last illness. III talk TO DR.. Phipps
about it,"
Next day the good lady was urging
old Billy to a faster gait when the
boy. walking briskly. came along side
the ancient phaet6n.
GOOD rrornfr' p1a'am" Z"
Good morning" She looked at
him closely. Did YOU sleep well last
night?" she asked.
Never slept better he answe"ed.
,r' I've lost nearly another DoLad,
l-a'am. r can get rid of two more
III be IN fine shape"
re laughed rs he said this and
nodded comically.
Her heart warned TO him. He was
% o. nj hearted, so careless, so In
die mt to his own condition.
I'm afraid it's not the right treat
ment." she said. Il wish 70 call IN
old r.. Phipps. I VIII gladly assume
tho expenses. Cone and make NY
house your home while he studies
your case"
She spoke gently yet earnestly and
the boy vas much affected by her
words.
You're very good. ma'am." he said.
Better to me than anyone ever was
before. You don't know who or what
I am. an yet on offer me a home.
7 amt worth H. ma'am. I'm a b9d
lot. You're all mistaken about ne.
Listen. ma'am. an III tell you the
truth"
But before he could say more a
sudden interruption startled them.
From a cabin a few hundreds of feet
from the highway. came a shrill
scream.
The old lady stopped the fat horse.
That's Bob Harris beating his
wife" she said. The miserable
wretch must had glass too much.
! Liquor makes him fighting mad.
Another scream rent the ar. The
boy squirmed uneasily.
Hes a cowardly dog" he growled
He's an ugl. brute said the old
lad An he's big and dangerous
The boy hesiiated
II would like 70 give him a wal
lop or two that he wouldn't forget
but I'm afraid" he said. I'm afraid
of getting hurt"
Ee flushed as he said this. but the
old lady didn't notice him. Her gray
eyes were fixed on the cabin door.
"He certainly would hurt you she
said.
The boy drew quick breath.
The FIRST thing ! remember hear
| ing" he said. was the scream OF ml
moor mother when my brute OF
! father whipped her made up m!
. n. ind that there would lie no wife
beating in any part of the town where
! I happened 70 be-ard here | am
afraid the first time | hear a woman
scream. But understand me. maam
I'm not afraid in my mind. but in No.
body. A single blow would spoil al
the good work I've been doing. IT.
a shame, ma'am. II makes me blush.
81 don't blame you" said the won
AN. You're weak and i'll and Bo'
Harris is ugly anL big and strong.
think I'll go and reason with him.
before she could step from tn
phaeton a half dozen cries OF sharl
pain rent he air The boy saw tn
woman recoil and noted the pailo
that overspread her face. He haui
his cap on the floor OF the phaeton
and tossed his coat after ii. Then n
leaped the fence and ran toward tn
cottage. When he reached the hoIs'
he pushed open the door and entered
A moment after babel or indis
tinct cries arose from the Earri
home. This was followed by th
sudden reappearance of the boy III
was in full retreat followed closel'
by the terrible Harris.
The boy ran little ways and thel
something remarkable happened. Tn
lad suddenly turned and attacked tn
big pursrer with tremendous vigor
| uo roinod hioU after blow uuOl