The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1916-07-20
Little Sir GaIaElad
a Story Win a
Blessing
cOpyrish, by Small. Maynard q Company

SPVSl he Hdu snOWn since ne mad been
with the Thomases.
I'm Galahad Knight" said
Charlie. "Of course I amt so strong
as I'm goin' to be. But I'm gettin'
stronger. Come here and feel"
Lem looked foolish, but put out
large paw and gingerly tested Charles
imaginary biceps, which he fiexed with
great vigor.
"The boss says I'm a reg'lar Her
cules"
II don't know what a herc'luss is"
said Lem; "but you sure are a strong
little feller."
Then Lem smiled. Nobody on the
Thomas place had ever seen Lem
Brown smile from the day Sam had
brought him there, snarling and scowl-
ing. LENS smile was really a credit.
able thing. 1t spread slowly across his
heavy countenance and lighted 1t up
with the genial glow OF a jack-o-lan-
tern.
Amt you a comical little cussv
said Lem.
Martha came in from the shed, with
looked up, sobered instantly, reached
TSor his cap, and scrambled out like a
boy caught stealing apples.
What was YOU saying to that crit
ter, dearle?" asked Martha.
"Oh. 1 was just havin' a little-er-
con-conversation with him." said
Charlie, licking his lips pleasantly at
the taste of the big word LENS a
awful nice feller, mummee"
Heaven help u.s." murmured Mrs.
Thomas. "Such a boy as you are,
Chariew
''Lem's so turrible solemn" said
the child, nodding his golden head
vehemently. 81 was cheerin' him up.
Amt it funny, he's a great big strong
man, and I'm little boy. He's strong
er'n most anybo ly-a million times
stronger'n me; but just cause I'm a
Galahad Knight / can help him and
make him feel real good. He's awfu!
pleasant, Lem is"
One day Charlie had been reading
to Lem from his Galahad book. The
man had found out, by cautious ex-
pertinent that his friendiness for
Charlie did not entail the Ill favor of
Sam and Martha. SO he now very
boldly and confidently pulled his chair
alongside the little boy and allowed
the pleasant intimacy to grow un-
checked.
How'd you ever get a-hold of all
that about them knights and things %
he asked
"Why, didn't I tell your cried
Charlie. 1T was Mary Alice"
MARY Alice!"
"Sure, your little girl, Mary Alice.
Only she's quite a big little girl. love
Mary Alice. Amt you just proud of
her? She's my bestest friend, next TO
the boss and mummee. 1t was this
way"
And Charlie went at length into the
story Of how his "bestest friend" had
had him made a Galahad Knight. With
all the necessary circumlocutions. the
recital took a long half-hour Charlie
was quite breathless when he finished.
so that's all there is to it." he CON
cluded. "Only Mary Alice can't be a
that only us fellers can be one. But
she's Lady Mary Alice whenever she
comes to see me; and wit We well, Sir
Lem, lovelier lady hath never trod this
earth. SO there, now"
Lem looked at the little boy. Martha
came and stood over the pair.
'Now Charlie-boy." she warned.
don't you get all tired out"
Lem got lumberingly to his feet.
"Oh, my goshw he said. "Oh, good
gosh! What a Hdw
He did a queer and presumptuous
thing. With leathery paw he reached
out and patted Charles golden head.
"Ain't you the comicalest kid.
though" he said, and turned toward
the door. The boss stood there, cycling
Lem. and I'm his face the hulk that had
been man saw something far differ
ent from the usual sternness. The
boss did not give ground to let Lem
pass out; instead, he said: "Put her
there, Lem! BY jinks. I don't know
but you're human after ALL" and
gripped LENS hand as one man to an.
other
Lem Brown stalked across the yard
TO the drag and began to pile or the
big rocks. lie worked as N ne liked lt.
even when the jagged edges bruised
and cut the leather Of his blunt fin
gers.
Good gosh" he muttered TO himself.
Down inside Of bis being something
was waking up. It was what we call a
soul
Lem Brown had begun bis Agbt.