The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-02-06

A Kindly Faced Man Was Leaning
Over Me.
some porruge IN Kettle while I sat
holding my little hands over the stove
20 warm them, and sense of COM
fort grew in me.
He dipped some porrldge into bowls
and put them on a small table. My
eyes had watched him with growing
interest and l got TO the table about
as soon as the porridge and mounted
chair and seized a spoon.
zone moment, Bart" said my
host. "By jingol We've forgotten to
wash and you're face looks like the
dry bed of a river. Come here u min
Ute"
where there were a wash-stand and a
pail and tin basin and a dish of soft
soap. lie dipped the pail in a rain
barrel and filled the basin, and
washed myself and waited not upon
my host, but made for the table and
began to eat, being very hungry. af-
ter hastily drying my face on a towel.
In a minute he came and sat down
TO his own porridge and bread and
butter.
When he had finished eating he set
aside the dishes and l asked;
"Now could / go and see Sally Dun
kelbergf"
"What in the world do you want
of Sally Dunkelberg?" he asked.
"Oh, just to play with her" l said
as showed him how l could sit on
my hands and raise myself from the
chair bottom.
Haven't you any one to play with
at homer"
"Only my Uncle Peabody"
Don't you like to play with himr
"Oh. some, but he can't stand me
any longer. He's all tired out, and
my Aunt Deel. too. I've tipped over
every single thing on that place. i
tipped over the honey yesterday
split II all over everything and
rooend my clothes. I'm a reg'ler pest.
So want to play with Sally Dunkel-
berg. / want to play with her a lit
tie while-just wee little while"
Forward. march," said he and
away we started for the home of the
Dunkelbergs. The village interested
me immensely. / had seen 1t only
twice before. People were moving
about in the streets. One thing /
did not fail to notice. Every man
we met touched his hat as he greeted
my friend.
IL was square, frame house-that
of the Dunkelbergs-large for that
village. and had a big dooryard with
trees In IL. As we came near the gate
saw Sally Dunkelberg playing with
other children among the trees. Sud-
denly was afraid and began to hang
back. looked down at my bare feet
and my clothes, both of which were
dirty Sally and her friends had
stopped their play and were standing
In group looking at us. l heard
Sally whisper:
"It's that Baynes boy. Don't he
look dirty?"
stopped and withdrew my hand
from that of my guide.
"Come on. Bart" he said.
I shook my head and stood looking
over at that little, hostile tribe near
me.
eco and play with them while step
into the house." he urged.
Again | shook my head.
swell, then. you wait here a mo-
ment," said my new-found friend.
He left me and I sat down upon
the ground, thoughtful and silent.
In a moment my friend came out
with Mrs. Dunkelberg. who kissed me,
and asked me to tell how l happened
TO be there.
81 just thought would come" said
as l twisted a button on my coat,
and would say no more to her.
"Mr. Wright. you're going to take
him home. are your Mrs. Dunkel'
berg asked.
"Yes. I'll start Off with him In an
muir vi Hbt Sdiu my Ai'hNs go
interested In this boy and l want ID
see his aunt and uncle"
swell. Sally, you go down TO the of
fee and stay with Bart until they co.
you'd like that, wouldn't your" the
man asked of me.
81 don't know" l said.
'That means yes" said the man.
Sally and another little girl came
with us and passing a store l held
back to look at many beautiful things
In big window.
els there anything you'd like there
BartT the man asked.
~ wisht l had a pair o. them shiny
shoes with buttons on" | answered
In a low, confidential tone, afraid Il
express. openly, wish SO extrava
CANT.