Catoctin clarion., 1910-02-10

her 50 trustingly that she forgot the
ragged clothes and poverty and only
saw the brave earnest soul lmking
through the clear eyes. Her gize
wandered to the girls questioningly.
May Whitley came to the rescue.
"Felluw members" she cried spring
ing to her feet. Il move we create The
Office Of cavalier and run around mes
senger extraordinary In our circle:
There was a quick upraising OF
hands.
Contrary minds the same sign. 1t is
vote Now, | further move that we
appoint MIR CHANGING inQuiringly at
the boy.
"Lish." looking at her little doubt
fully.
mir. Iish."
"Cartcr" added Kate Markham.
MIR. Lish Carter" sHid May calm
". ito the office just created. All In
favor signify by usual sign. Contrary
minds. II Is a vote.
The boy gazed ut her with puzzled
expression On his face: but. detecting
an undercurrent Of merriment In the
room. he took courage and bowed his
thanks.
"Re | a reg'lar member" nc asked
beamingly as he rose TO his feet, IAN
can | fetch in my poor folks?"
THAT point Is now In order" said
May politely.
But the boy did not need encourage
ment He was too fullSf his subject
TO think much of himself or bis sur
roundings. There was not the least
trace Of embarrassment In the face
which he raised SO confidently 10 Miss
Lesson. nor was there any hesitation
in the eager voice which poured forth
the story Of the poor folks.
Are they actually starving?" asked
one of the girls as he paused for q
moments breath.
Nom" promptly. Pap sent 'em
painful of small taters. an Ben an Inc
give 'em most of our wainuts an
chestnuts. An then dig 'em few
CLAIMS now an ag'in when the wealth
er's good an hunts wood for 'em. But
theym desprit Off. most desprt! The
father an mothers sick. an there's
six small kids, an none Of 'em amt
much good for anything. You see.'
patronizingly. "they's Eyetalians an
only come here last fall. They don't
know our talk nor how 10 scutile round
for vittes yet They jest huddle clost
up to their fireplace an famish." knit
ting his hrUws for suitable word
An would you b'lieve II" excitedly.
there amt Il blessed shoe In the whole
family. Them children paddle round
In the snow an water barefoot. an
when it's awful cold they wrap their
feet up In old rags. The biggest boy
helps Inc some. an it's him want to
git shoes for. That's why jined the
club"
do they live near your asked
Clara.
Bout half mile. But their house
amt got any floor like ourn. They
live right on the bare ground"
Clara held up her hands.
"The idea.' she exclaimed. Eight
persons living in a house without any
door. and In such weather! Hasn't
anybody helped them besides your
folksT'
"No; folks live scatterin' down that
way an guess they amt heard
much about 'em. But we've got along
pretty well so fur You see." proudly.
.my pap's stavin' good provider.
Last fall he chopped wood enough to
last all winter. an he worked round
'mong the farmers an took his pay In
small taters--hog taters. they call
'em." In smiling explanation. I'VE had
mos four barrels full. An ! sold
clans myself an bought some salt an
barrel O. turnips. | guess we'd "a
had plenty to stand us clean through
the winter If II hadn't been for so
many mouths. Eight Eyetaliansl can
eat a pile of stuff when they'm hun
cry"
"Yes." assent>.d Miss Leeson when
he paused. as though waiting for con-
irmation of his statement.
Il heard pap ask Pete Cunning yes'-
day" the boy resumed. with another
smiling glance around the ROOM III he
know'd anybody in the village who'd
be willin' to help poor family. That's
what made Pete tell about your club.
Pap know'd the taters was most gone.
an guess he thought Ben an me
couldn't hustle round lively enough to
keep two families goin'. You see.
pap's down with rheunatics."
"Yes; so heard But was 1t quite
.f-I,t e.. Il NJ nf
potatoes! You should have applied for
help sooner. II you are not careful
you will need help yourselves"
"Oh. wem all right" answered the
boy carelessly. There's only four OF
us. an Ben an mes both well. We
ought to be able to look arter one fam
bly," He noticed that her glance rest
ed on his boots. and he flushed lit
tie. But his eyes looked calmly into
hers.
Them boots amt very bad" he
said deprecatingly. IF the Eyetalians
had boots like them an taters an salt
every day | guess they'd feel pretty
well set up. You see. Ben's younger'n
me an ain't got toughened yet. so
pap bought him boots last fall. Next
winter. II nothin' happens. he's goin'
to git me some. These are plenty good
till then" He laughed little and
added philosophically: whats the use
! of havin' new boots such weather's
this anyway? You'd spile em In no
time"
isn't your jacket rather thin for
this weather. haznrded Clara. "YOu
ought to dress warm II you're going t"
provide for the family"
"It's plenty good" hastily. "Rut
how 'bout them shoes for the Eye