Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-05-07

1.-THE home people took me In, and ]
was there the full legal age and several
years over. They could always fnd
homes for the rest of the children.
but nobody would ever be wanting ME
on account Of Inc arm"
Were they kind to you" asked Nc
Lean.
"I don't know" answered Freckles.
The reply sounded so hopeless even to
his own ears that he FASTENED to quail
ify it by adding: "You see, it's like
this. sir. Kindnesses that people are
paid to lay off In job lots and that
belong equally to several hundred 9TH
ers amt going to be soaking into any
one fellow much"
Go on" said Mclean.
"There's nothing worth the taking Of
your time to tell" replied Freckles.
"The homo was in Chicago. and / was
there all me life up to three mouths
ago. When was too old for the train.
ing they gave to the little children they
sent me out to the nearest ward school
as long us the law would let them, but
| was never like any Of the other chill
dren. and they all knew 1t. I'd to go and
come like IL prisoner and be working
about the home early and late for me
board and clothes. always wanted
to learn mighty bad. but ! was glad
when Ihnt was over.
Then u new superintendent sent me
down In the state to man he said he
knew that needed boy. He wasn't
for remembering to tell that man that
I was hand short. and he knocked
me down Between noon and that
evening he and his son. - ut my age.
mad me in pretty much the same shape
In which was found In the beginning.
so ] lay awake that night and ran
away. I'd like to have squared me ac-
count with that boy before left. but
| didn't dare for fear Of waking the
old man. and knew I couldn't handle
the two Of them. but I'm hoping to
meet him alone some day before |
die"
Mclean liked the boy all the better
for this confession.
~ didn't even have to steal clothes
to get rid Of starting in me home
ones" Freckles went on. "for they had
already taken all me clean, neat things
for the boy and put me into his rags,
and that went almost as sore as the
beatings. for where was We were al
ways kept tidy aud sweet smelling
anyway. hustled clear into this state
before i learned that man couldn't
have kept me II. he'd wanted to. l
commenced hunting work, but It is
with everybody else just as 1t Is with
you. sir. Big. strong. whole men are
the only ones for being wanted"
81 have been studying over this mat
ter" answered Mclean. 81 am not so
sure but that man no older than you
and like you in every way could d.
this work very well If he were not a
coward"
"If you will give me a Job where l
can earn me food. clothes and a place
to Sleep" said Freckles. III can have
a boss to work for like other men. and
a place I feel I've right to I will do
what you tell me or die trying"
He said it so quietly and convinc'
ingly that Mclean found himself an
swering: II will enter you on my pay
rolls. Well have supper. and then I
will provide you with clean clothing.
wading boots. wire mending apparatus
and revolver The Hrst thing In the
morning I will take you over the trail
myself. All l ask Of you Is to come
to me at once at the south camp and
tell me like a man If you find this job
too hard for you. It is work that few
men would perform faithfully What
name shall I put DOWN.
Freckles' eyes never left McLean's
face, and the boss saw the swift spasm
Of pain that swept his lonely. sensitive
face.
II haven't any name." he said stub
bornly. mo more than one somebody
clapped on to me when they put me
on the home books. with not the
thought or care they'd named house
cat. What they called me is no more
my name than 1t Is yours. / don't
know what mine Is, and l never will.
But am going to be your man and
do your work. and Ill be glad to an.
swer to any name you choose to cau
me. Won't you please be giving me
name, Mr.. Mclean"
The boss wheeled abruptly and be-
gan stacking his books. In a voice
harsh with huskiness he spoke.
IT will tell you what we will do. my
lad" be said. MY father was my
ideal man, and loved him better than