Year: 1869

1
ought to stick to il; that it was bad for q
man TO be always taking up something
new, thinking he would succeed, one
must stick 10 a thing, otherwise he will
come to naught. Dami was paciied for a
time. and SO great WAS the involuntary es,
timation of Little Barefoot in the village,
and SO natural the idea that she should
lprovide for her brother. that he was al>
ways called Little Barefoot's Dami,' as il
he were not her brother but her son, and
yet 4ie was head taller than she, and act
ed as if he was entirely independent Of
her. Indeed he often said that it was very
hard that he was held in less estimation
than she, because he had not her gilt of
speech. He was always telling his sister
of his discomfort with himself and his oc-
cupation. She bore il patiently, and al
though he was always telling the people
that she was under bis control, she only
won on that account The more esteem and
respect in their eyes. For every one said
how noble il is of Little Barefoot to help
her brother, and she rose still higher in
their opinion because he treated her bsd>
| ly, while she cared for him like mother.
She sewed and washed for him in the
evenings, SO that he was one of the neat
est men in the village, and she took two
pairs Of shoes she had received as q part
OF her wages at the end OF the half year to
the shoemaker, and paid him something
would fit Dami. She herself went always
barefooted, and was only occasionally
seen with shoes on upon Sunday when
she went TO church. 1t troubled her
greatly that Damf had become the COM,
mon butt OF the village. She spoke to him
sharply about it, that he should not allow
it, but hs told her that she ought to stop
the people and not speak 10 him, as be
could not prevent it. That could not be
done, and Dami inwardly did not object
TO being treated as focl; il mortified him
indeed at tiILes when any one laughed al
him. especially when the children jeercd
al him. but L troubled him still more ii he
was not noticed al all; be would tEen act
the fool worse than ever, and expose hini>
self TO general dcfision.


! Little Bareioot on the other hand was
in danger Of becoming the recluse which
Marann always wished her to be. She
had attached herself to but one playmate.
the daughter OF the charcoal burner Mat,
but she had gche years ago 10 work in n
! factory ai Elasar, aud she heard no more
of her Little Barefoot lived so within
herself, that she never was counted
among the young people of the village;
she was always talkativc with those of her
ese, but her real playmate was Black Mar
anu. Ii was from this very reason of her
| living SO apart frcm the rest tilt she had
no influence over Dami's behavior, who,
alihsugh jeered at and ridiculed, could
never bear 10 be without company. or
stay alone with his Sister.


Blu, Ddmi now cast Ok his bonds, and
going one fine sunday TO see his sister,
showed her the earnest money he had re-
ceved. 70. lie Tad L;soc lim;clr 10 a cattle
dealer o. Hir.iugen.


III you lad told me Of it, said Little
Barefoot knew IA better place for your
Il would have given youa letter 10 the
farmer Of Landfrieds wife, IN Al.agau,
where you would have been .:ealed like
one of the family.


Hush about that, said Dami, harslly;
she has been nearly thirteen years owing
me pair leather brecches which she
promised me. Don't you recollect? Ii
Was at the time when we were small, and
thought that when we knocked at the
door our father and mother would open
1t. Don ,; tell me about the Laniried wo>
man. Who knows whether she still thinks
OF us, or whether she is indeed alive.


Yes, she is still living. for she is cons
nection of the people where l am staying,
and they often speak of her. She has
married off all her children except tie
son, and he will get the farm


You are only trying TO run down my
new service Dami complained; 'and you
tell me that might have got better one
Is that right?' His voice tremblcd.
'Ob, do not always be so faint hearted
said Little Barefoot. Am I saying any
thing against your situation? You are al.
ways acting as if the geese were biting
you. / only advise you again to stay at
the place sou have taken,-make up your
mind TO remain there. 1t comes to moths
ing il, like cuckoo, you sleep every night
on new tree. /, too, could have got 9TH
places, but would not, and have brot
myself TO like the place where am. Re,
collect that he who every momefit jumps
into new situation will be treated like n
stranger; people know that he will not be
in the house by Tomorrow, and they
therefore treat him as If they should new
see him again.


4 don't want your sermons, said Dami,
and was about to depart in anger. To-
wards me you always acted harshiy, while
you always MAKE yourself pleasant enough
to the wurid.'


1t is just because you are my brother,
said Little Bare foot.
She now succeeded in quieting her
brother, and said;


Listen. An IDEA occurs to me, but you
must first be good, for the coat must not
cover a bad heart. The farmer of Rodcl
still has the clothes of our father; y GU are
new grown up, they will just fit you.-
1t will cause you to be respected If you
appear ON the farm well dressed; for your
fellow serv snts. will see your good origin,
and that you have had careful parents
This was obvious to Dami, and Little
Barefoot, alter much opposition, brought