The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1912-06-20

But II be came to steal trees
wouldn't he bring teams and men
enough. that all any man could do
would be to watch and be after your
| Queried the boy.
"Yes." replied Mclean.
Then why couldn't I be watching
Just as closely and coming as fast as
an older. stronger mani"
why. by George, you couldr' ex-
claimed Mclean. ~ don't know that
the size of a man would be half so
important as his grit and faithfulness.
What is your namef"
Freckles grew q shade winter. but
his eyes never faltered.
"Freckles." he said.
Good enough for every day." laugh
ed Mclean, but l can scarcely put
Freckles on the company's books"
IL haven't any name" replied the
boy.
Il don't understand" said Mclean.
Il was thinking from the voice and
the face Of you that you wouldn't"
said Freckles slowly.
Docs II seem to you that any one
would take a newborn baby and row
over 1t until II was bruised black, cut
on its hand and leave II out in q bit
ter night on the steps of a charity
home to the care Of strangersf That's
what somebody did to me.
THE home people took me In. and I
was there the full legal age and several
years over. They could always find
homes for the rest Of the children,
but nobody would ever be wanting me
on account Of me arm"
Were they kind to your asked Nc
Lean.
II don't know" answered Freckles
The reply sounded so hopeless even to
his own ears that he FASTENED to quail
ify 1t by adding: "You see, It's like
this. sir. Kindnesses that people are
paid to lay OF 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 home was I'm Chicago, and I was
ago. When l was too old for the train
ing they gave TO the little children they
sent me out to the nearest ward school
as long as the law would let them, but
/ was never like any Of the other chill
dren, and they all knew IL. Id to go and
come like prisoner and be working
about the. home early and late for me
board and clothes. l always wanted |
to learn mighty bad. but I was glad |
when that was over.
"Then new superintendent sent me |
down In the state TO a man he said he |
knew that needed a boy. He wasn't |
for remembering to tell that man that
l was a hand short. and he knocked
me down. Between noon and that
evening he and his son, about my age,
had me In pretty much the same shape
In which was found In the beginning.
so l lay awake that night and ran
away. I'd like TO have squared me ac-
didn't dare for fear OF waking the
Did man, and knew couldn't handle
The two of them, but I'm hoping TO
meet him alone some day before |
lie"
Mclean liked the boy all the better
'or this confession.
II didn't even have to steal clothes
o get rid OF starting in me home
mes" Freckles went on. "for they had
lready taken all me clean, neat things I
or the boy aud put me into his rags,
nd that went almost as sore as the [
'eatings. for where was we were al
Ways kept tidy and sweet smelling
nyway. hustled clear into this state
efore l learned that man couldn't
ave kept me II he'd wanted TO.
commenced hunting work, but IL Is
With everybody else just as il IL with /
gu, sir. Big, strong, whole men are !
he only ones for being wanted" >
81 have been studying over this mat
ar," answered Mclean. II am not so
ure but that man no older than you ,
nd like you in every way could do /
bis work very well IL be were not /
Dward." y
IF you will give me a Job where I q
m earn me food. clothes and a place +
} sleep said Freckles, "if can have 4,
boss TO work for like other men. and
place feel I've a right TO will do
hat you tell me or die trying"
He said II so quietly and convinc- 81
lgly that Mclean found himself an C
yering; II will enter you on my pay. O
Ills. Wen have supper. and then ii
Ill provide you with clean clothing, ;,
aiding boots, wire mendlng apparatus =
nd revolver. The first thing In the II
orning ! will take you over the trail y
yself. All ask Of you Is TO come a
me at once nj the south camp and o.
II me like n man II you find this job 8,
o hard for you. II Is work that few =
en- would perform faithfully, What -,
lme shall | put DOWN."
Freckles' eyes never left McLean's y
ce, and the boss saw the swift spasm T.
pain that swept his lonely, sensitive Is
ce. 4