The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1921-06-08

hoor beside her, resting his head on
his knees Precious was the only being
in the world whom he really cared
for. although certain habit Of 10y
atty to his father had thus far kept
him at home to work and help support
the large growing family that would
suffer sadly without his aid
Now the call of the city was be-
ginning to find response in Stormy's
heart Tonight the impulse was
strong in him to break away, to
change this life of ignorant stagna-
ton and drudgery for the stir and
hustle and human interest of the city.
Yes, he would gol He must gol
There was no use struggling in this
way any longer
II only he could have gone to
school and learned something, thought
Stormy wistfully. it all might have
been so different He might have been
able to make things more endurable
for them all 1t was too late now for
him, but there was Precious and the
other children They still might have
chance if he could only give it to
them
Some days later Stormy was help
ing his father clean the boat after a
day of Clustering Precious his at
tending shadow, sat playing by her
self on the bank near by for like the
legendary lamb everywhere that
Stormy went she was sure to go. Sud-
denly she heard a fresh young voice
beside her say: Good evening, and
what is your name little girl?"
Al. L. 4
opening her eyes wider than ever and
gazing with undisguised awe and adj
miration at the young woman of her
own race who talked "jes like the
buckra" (white people
Miss Joyce bent over the little girl
and smiled. Precious" she repeated,
what dear name for dear little
girl"
When little Precious looked up and
saw the smile. she slipped a small
confiding hand into the teachers and
shyly said, 81 love you. muh
"That is nice" laughed Miss Joyce.
you must come to see me sometime.
Do you go to school anywhere?"
"No. muh."
Wouldn't you like to come to the
me teach your"
Eyes. muh." The little girl was
trembling with the bare possibility Of
such bliss. "But me pa amt nebber
gwine fur to let me 60" and she burst
into a flood of tears.
Miss Joyce comforted her. 20, |
hope so! We will ask him." and she
turned to Jonas Brunson, who had
just appeared carrying the oars.
Good evening. how are your
greeted Miss Joyce
up. | thank YOU" responded the
fisherman. who did not take off his
hat but scraped his foot and waived
his hand in an impressive manner.
AN how you was?"
"Very well. thank you How are
you?" she added turning to Stormy,
who had come up Stormy scraped his
foot and bobbed his head. 81 a'ank
God for his evening chance" he an
swered politely II hope dis day finds
you we'll"
When these courtesies had been ex-
changed she preached the subject OF
school. well, you see, Miss Joyce,
muh." said Jonas in his most con-
versational and conciliatory manner,
Il might explanation to hims ma as
how oona wants she to go to school,
an it would be most prideful an up
lftin' to have child i'll school. an
he ma have a right to be agreeable to
de pint. only Precious am de onliest
who kin mind de baby, count of the
older gal bein' somewhat mindless"
"Neber yo' fear. pa rs could fur
mind de child in de field" interrupted
Stormy, whose eyes were glowing
with excitement
well, howsomever dat might be,
we might argumentify de matter an
take councilment, but rs poor man
an oona school am too expensionate
| amt see how | could find it afford
able"
But it won't cost you anything the
first year, as the little ones come in
free" urged the teacher, land when
she is bigger she can earn part of the
money herself by working at the
school or you and Stormy could do
it for her"
Under dat consideration. can take
consultation in his matter wild he
ma an sometime she might agree wild
it, if it amt been de chile hab no
proper clothes"
These would do very well if they
were cleaned and patched" returned
the teacher. "Let her come on Mon
day morning. shall look for her"
well. not Monday morning, |
guess, but it might be in anoder year.
Time enough yet" laughed Jonas
easily. "Hims jest li'l' gal"
Goodnight. | am sorry you feel
that way" said Miss Joyce as she
moved away. She had not gone far
when she heard breathless voice be-
hind her
Precious gwine be dere Monday
morning. Yo' kin count on dat fur
true"
She turned and found Stormy pant
ing with excitement and his face in
tense with the Idea that had become
purpose, She'll be to school Mon
day morning, yo' kin pend upon me"
he repeated firmly.
"But | fear your father will not
eli -,