Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-05-21
our nearest equivalent to a branch OF
these birds called in Europe Pharaoh's
chickens"

our nearest equivalent to branch OF
these birds called in Europe Pharaoh's
chickens"
"He was loving ner so," said Free
kles In a hushed voice. Freckles lift
ed his brave. steady eyes to the boss.
IF anybody loved me like that. MI.
Mclean, l wouldn't be spending any
time caring how they looked or
moved. All I'd be thinking of was
how they felt toward me. II they will
stay I'll be caring as much for them
as any chickens have"
The face Of Mclean was STUDY.
"And now, Freckles, what has been
the trouble all spring? You have done
your work as faithfully as any one
could ask, but 1 can't help seeing that
there is something wrong. Are you
tired of your job?
II love It." answered Freckles. 1T
will almost break me heart when the
gang begins tearing up the swamp
and soaring away me chickens"
''Then what is the matter?" insisted
Mclean.
81 think, sir. it's been books. Being
among these beautiful things every
day, I got SO anxious like to be know
ing and naming them that 1t got to
eating into me and went and made me
near sick when l was well as I could
lie. OF course learned to read. write
and figure some at school. but there
was nothing there nor in any OF the
city that 1 ever got to see that would
make a fellow even be dreaming OF
such interesting things as there are
here. I've seen the parks. but they
ain't even beginning to be IN 1t with
Limberlost. It's all new and strange
to me. ! don't know thing about
any Of 1t. The bullfrog told me to
find OUT plain as day, and books are
the only way. amt they?"
"Of course" said Mclean, astonished
Mt himself for his heartfelt relief. he
had not guessed until that minute
what 1t would have meant to him to
have Freckles give up. you know
enough to study out what you want
yourself If you have the books. don't
you?"
II am pretty sure I do," said Free
kles. 81 learned all I'd the chance at
In the home. and me schooling was
good as far as it went. wouldn't let
you 20 past fourteen. you know. !
always did me sums perfect. and l
loved me history books. / never could
get me grammar to suit them. They
said 1t was just born In me to 60
wrong talking. but could knock them
all out singing. ] was always leader
In the home. and once one Of the su-
perjntendents gave me car fare and let
me 80 into the city and sing In boys
ehoir. The master said I'd the swatest
voice Of them all until it got rough
like, and then he made me quit for
awhile, but he said it would be coming
back by now, and I'm rally thinking
it Is, sir, for I've tried about the line
a bit Of late.
"That and me chickens has been all
the company I've been having. and 1t
will be all I'll want II I can have
books and learn the real names OF
things. where they come from and
why they do such interesting things.
It's been fretting me to be shut up
here among all these wonders and not
knowing a thing. wanted to ask you
what some books would cost me and
II you'd be having the goodness to get
me the right ones. l think l have
enough money"
Freckles handed up his account book.
and the boss studied 1t gravely.
"You needn't touch your bank ac-
count, Freckles." he said. "Ten dol
lars from this months pay will get
you everything you need to start on.