The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1909-08-12

Hhu Oiu billy plOuutu tlolb bN
favorite gait and was not reproved
1t was two days later that the boy
opened the gate and came up the
path in the wide spreading shadow
of the great oak.
The old lady was sitting on her
vine covered porch. She shaded her
eyes with her hand as he approached.
He took off his cap.
"How do you do, ma'am?' he said.
Il hope you are we'll"
She knew MIN then.
IT'S the young man who runs"
she said. 81 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 freck-
led cheeks.
And which shall it be?" she asked.
water, or milk. or buttermllk?"
ut will be buttermilk, maam," he
answered, "If not too much trou-
BILE"
She speedily brought him the pitch
er and he drank two glasses with
great relish.
ITS fine" he smillngly told her
And are you still continuing the
treatment" she asked him.
yes, ma'am." he answered, AN
it's helpin' me great deal. I've
Je, l.
Her compassionate look came back.
And have you no homer" she
asked.
mo, ma'am," he answered. Il
can't remember that | ever had a
home. I'm just boy out of the
streets. I've taken lot o. hard
knocks, but I've never seen tn day
when l didn't have enough to eat an
some kind of place to sleep. An
that's 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 it he had
drawn away from the porch.
This won't do, maam." he said
and his eyes kept up their twinkling.
moment | loiter here adds an ounce
- two to my weight. Goodby, ma am,
an heaven keep you" And he loped
down the walk to the highway and
disappeared behind the high hedge.
Il wish old DR.. Phipps could see
him." said the lady. II feel sure his
treatment is too severe. Poor boy,
u-it L.
his last illness. I'll 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 phaeton.
Good mornin', ma'am."
Good morning" She looked at
him closely. Did you sleep well last
night?" she asked.
Never slept better" he answered.
An I've lost nearly another pound,
ma'am. If l can get rid of two more
I'll be in fine shape"
He laughed as he said this and
nodded comically.
Her heart warmed to him. He was
different to his own condition.
'I'm afraid it's not the right treat
ment," she said. 81 wish to call in
old DR.. Phipps. l will gladly assume
the expenses. Come and make my
house your home while he studies
your case"
She spoke gently yet earnestly and
he hnr
words.
You're very good ma'am," he said.
Better to me than anyone ever was
before. You don't know who or what
l am, an yet Jou offer me home.
l amt worth it, ma'am. I'm a bad
lot. You're all mistaken about me.
Listen, ma'am, an I'll tell you the
truth"
But before he could say more a
sudden interruption startled them.
From cabin 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 air. The
boy squirmed uneasily.
Hes a cowardly dog" he growled.
Hes an ugly brute" said the old
lady. "An' he's big and dangerous"
The boy hesitated
Il would like to give him wal
lop or two that he wouldn't forget,
but I'm afraid" he said I'm afraid
of getting hurt"
He 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 a quick breath.
The first thing remember hear
ing" he said, was the scream of my
poor mother when my brute of a
father whipped her. made up my
mind that there would lie no wife
beating in any part of the town where