Evening star., 1955-05-08

Mrs John Gray finished the last seam in the
coarse blue jacket she was making. Stepping to the
kitchen door, she called to the TALL lanky boy who
was hoeng in the cornfield. -
"Davy," she cried Come here minute"
"I'm a-coming," Davy called back. Dropping his
hoe, he ran to the house
Mrs. Gray showed him the jacket.
You sure are nice to make that jacket for
me-" Davy said "And the shirt and trousers, too"
I'm charging you fair price for them" Mrs.
Gray said with smile "Do those shoes you bought
from the peddler yesterday fit all right?"
Right enough" Davy answered jauntily. "But
don't aim to wear any OF my new clothes Till get
"You know" he went on, 'T haven't ever seen
big place like that. It's breeze of luck for me
that Mr.. Myer will take me along when he starts
tomorrow with his next load of flour"
Maybe it is" Mrs. Gray said doubtfuly. "And
maybe 1t isn't For some reason, don't trust that
wagner. don't know why. Anyway, we'd like to
keep you here with u.s. Davy"
Davy grinned. Reckon I'd better get back and
finish hoeing that: corn" he said And he started
for the cornfield feeling very grown up and quite
pleased with himself
More than six months had passed since Davy
had run away from Pa and his hickory stick. Busy
months! First he had helped Mr.. Cheek drive
large herd of cattle to Front Royal in Virginia Then
he had Travelled with the wagner, Adam Myer, to
Gerardstown Later, Davy had found work on John
Gray'S farm
He had saved up his money for new clothes
which he needed badly: Now they were all paid for
and he still had ST left.
"1'l buy Ma and the girls some gimcracks IN
Baltimore" he thought And he wondered how his
family was getting along
to try to make his way home just yet He wanted
to see more of the world first. When Mr.. Myer
stopped his white-topped wagon in front OF the
Grays' house next morning, Davy was ready to
leave.
He said good-by to the Grays. Then he handed
his bundle of new clothes up to the wagner and
climbed up Slowly the big wheels began to turn.
rolled thNOuQh
beautiful Virginia countryside. Past farms where
fruit trees bloomed Past wide green fields Through
little villages.
brook to stop for the night He built fire and
cooked meal, while Davy fed the horses
Not until supper was over did Davy remember
Mr. Myer. II reckon I'd better give this to you to
hold" he said II might lose it,
Adam Myer pulled at his stubby red beard and
cleared his, throat Deed you might" he replied
"Ill keep it safe for you"
That night he and Davy slept on the ground.
When the sun they set out again. Two days
later they rumbled into Baltimore
Davy helped the wagner unload his barreiS OF
flour. Then he set off, whstling gayy, to see the
sights. And what lot of strange new things there
were for backwoods boy to see!
Streets paved with bumpy cobbleStones. mar
ket where fine vegetables fruits and cakes were on
sale. Shops and churches And more people than
trees in forest.
The next day he started out again, to explore
other parts of the little city At last he came to the
wharf which ran out into Chesapeake Bay.
Big sailing ships coming and going in the
harbor. Davy stared at them, amazed
They're like birds a-flyng over the water" he
thought IT wonder if I dare board one"
Beside the wharf lay ship with her sails
furled
Davy walked up the gangplank and stepped on
the deck At that very moment the captain OF the
ship came out of his cabin
"What do you want here? he asked gruffly.
"Just to see what ship is like" Davy replied,
wishing he were back on the wharf.
The captain looked him over slowly.
"You wouldn't want to take a trip on her,
would you?" he asked "We're sailing for London
tomorrow, and I could use strong boy"
where's London?" Davy wanted to know
Across the ocean?"
The captain smiled and nodded. Davy scratched
his head thoughtfuly. He hadn't intended to be a
sailor. But it would be wonderful thing to cross
the ocean.
eyes" he said eagerly. "I'd like to CO. TIL get
my clothes and money, and come right back"
Don't you have to ask your parents about it?"
the captain asked doubtfully.
81 can't" Davy replied with quick smile.
They're far off-in Tennessee"
After few more words with the captain, Davy
ran off, up the wharf.
First he ran to the tavern where he and Mr.
~eal ns~I.