The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1912-10-31

| year and new books and clothes.
There won't ever be 30 much at one
time again-that I know. Just got 10
hang to my money. I was afraid to
tell her for fear she would want II for
taxes. and she really must sell q tree
or some cattle for that, mustn't she,
Uncle wesleyr'
ION your life. she mustr' said wes-
ley. "You put your little wad In the
bank all safe and never mention II to
q living soul. II don't seem right, but
your case Is peculiar. Every word you
say Is a true word. Each year you Will
get less from the swamp. and things
everywhere will be scarcer. II you
ever get n few dollars ahead. that can
start your college fund. You know you
are going to college. Elnorar'
"Of course I am said Elnora.
She jumped from the carriage and
soon found that with her books. her
lunch box and the boz Of arrow points
she had a heavy load. She was al.
most to the bridge crossing the culvert
when she heard the distressed screams
Of a child Across an orchard Of the
suburbs came a small boy. after him a
big dog. urged by q man In the back.
ground. Elnora's heart was with the
small flying figure In any event what.
ever. She dropped her load on the
bridge and with practiced hand caught
up a stone and flung II ut the dog.
The beast curled double with a howl
The boy reached the fence. and Elnora
was there to help him over. As he
touched the top she swung him TO the
ground. but he chung TO her. clasping
her tightly, sobbing and shIvering with
fear. Elnora carried him TO the bridge
and sat with him In her arms. For
time his replies to her questions were
indlstinct. but at last he became quiet
er and she could understand.
He was a mite Of a boy. nothing but
skin covered bones. his burned. freck-
led face In mortar Of tears and
dust. his clothing unspeakably dirty.
one great toe In fostering mass from
q broken nail and sores all over the
visible portions Of the small body.
"You wouldn't set dog on a boy for
Just taking few old apples when you
fed 'em TO pigs with a shovel every
day. would your he said.
"No, would not" said Elnora hotly.
"You'd give a boy all the apples he
wanted II he hadn't any breakfast and
was so hungry he was all twisty inside,
wouldn't your
Yes. would" said Elnora.
"If you had anything to eat you
would give me something right now.
wouldn't your
YES" said Elnora. There's moth
ing but just stones In the package
But my dinner Is In that case. I'll
gladly divide"
She opened the box. The famished
child gave a little cry and reached
both hands. Elnora caught them
back.
did you have any supperY'
"No."
ANY dinner yesterdayT
"An apple and some grapes stole.
"Whose boy are your"
"Old Tom Billings"
why don't your father get you soms-
thing TO eatT"
'He does most days. but hos drunk
now"
Flush! You must notl' said Elnora.
Hes your fatherT
Hes spent all the money to get
drunk. too" said the boy. "and Jimmy
and Belle are both crying for break.
fast. I'd "a got out all right with an
apple for myself. but tried TO get
some for them. and the dog got toe
close Say. you can just throw. can't
your
Yes" admitted Elnora. She poured
half the milk into the cup. Drink
this" sne said. holding Il TO him.
The boy gulped the milk and swore
joyously. gripping the cup with. shak
ing fingers.
"HushT cried Elnora. That's dread
fulr
whats DREADFUL"
ITO say such awful words"
Huh. pa says worser AN that evuy
breath he draws"
thtO tut hheho
face aud saw that the child was older
than she had thought He might have
been forty by his hard. unchildish eI.
preston.
"Do you want to be like your IA.
their"
mo; want to be like you Couldn't
a angel be prettler an you'll Can !
have more milkT
Elnora emptied the flask. The boy
drained the cup. He drew q breath Of
satisfaction as he gazed into her face.
"You wouldn't go or and leave your
little boy. would your he asked
did some one go away and leave
your" questioned Elnora In return
"Yes: my mother went on and left
me and left Jimmy aud Belle. too"
said the boy. "You wouldn't leave your
little boy. would your"
mo"
The boy looked eagerly at the box.
Elnora lifted sandwich and uncover
ed the fried chicken. The boy gasped
with delight
Say, could eat the stun In the
glass and the other box and carry the
r.. .hl 70 and