Year: 1875

trimmest feet ever seen. wearing hose
with fine clocks, and silver buckles in
the little shoes. You may believe the
boy stared well, for he had never seen
so pretty a sight in all his days, and be.
fore he knew it he had given her his
nOsegay of sheepsbane, fern, and honey
suckle. She took it, looking pleased,
and made him as fine courtesy as any
lady whereat he turned red and fool
ish, being shy, and hurried off into the
barn. But she came skipping after and
peeped at him as he milked, watched
how he did it for bit, and then said,
like little queen: "Boy, get up and
let me try That pleased him might
"; SO, taking little madam on his knee
he let her try. But something went
amiss. for all at once Brindle kicked
over the pail, away went the three.leg-
ged stool, and both the mixers lay in
the dirt.


"Why, Nat Why, Nat that was
you and 1, cried Ruth. clapping her
hands delightedly, as this catastrophe
confirmed the suspicious which had been
growing in her mind since the appear
ance of the child.


"Hush or I'll never tell how they
got up" said Nat, hurrying on with a
mirthful face. 1.-The boy thought the
little maid would cry over her bruised
arm or go off in pet at sight of the
spoilt frock. But no ; she only laughed,
patted old Brindle and sat down, saying,
Stoutly i shall try again and do 1t
right So she did, and while she milk
ed she told how she was an orphan and
had come to be Uncle Dams girl all her
life. That was pleasant hearing FOR
the lad, and he felt as if the fairy had
done better by him than he had hoped.
They were friends at once and played
cats cradle on the kitchen settle all the
evening. But when the child was put
to bed in strange room her little heart
failed her and she fell a sobbing for her
mother. Nothing would comfort her
till the boy went up and sang her to
sleep, with her pretty hand in his and
all her tears quite gone. That was nigh
upon two years ago put from that
night they were fast friends and happi-
er times began for the boy, because he
had something to love and live for be-
sides work. She was very good to him,
! and nowhere in all the world was there
a dearer, sweeter lass than Nat Shows
little maid.


During the latter part of this tale,
founded upon fact, Ruth had been
hugging her playmate's head in both
her chubby arms, and when he ended
by drawing down the rosy face to kiss
it softly on the lips it grew very April
countenance, as she exclaimed, with a
childish burst of affection, curiosity and
wonder


1 '.Dear lad, how good you were to me
that night and ever since. Did you re-
ally come in basket, and don't you
know anything about your folks Good
lack And to think you may turn out
lords son after all p


''HOw could | help being good to
you, dear? Yes, I'll show you the very
basket, if Aunt Becky has not burnt il
up as rubbish. l know naught about
my folks, and have no name but Snow
Uncle Dan gave me that because l came
in the storm, and the dear mother add
ed Nathaniel, her own boys name, since
l was sent to take his place, she said
As for being a lords son, I'd rather b.
a greater man than that"


And Nat rose up with sudden energy
in his voice. sudden kindling of tn,
eyes, that pleased Ruth, and made he
ask, with firm faith in the possibility o.
his being anything he chose.


''You mean king q"


mo, poet!''


"But that's not fine at all p and Rutl
looked much disappointed.


.It is the grandest thing in the world
Look now, the man who wrote this pla,
was poet, and, though long dead, h
is still loved and honored, when tn
kings and queens he told about woulC
be forgotten but for him. Who care
for them, with all their splendor =? VIII
does not worship William Shakespeare
whose genius made him greater thai
the whole of them !" cried Nat, huggin,
the dingy book. his face all aglow witt
} the beautiful enthusiasm of true be
lIever.


"Was Master Shakespeare rich am
great? p asked Ruth. staring at hin
with round eyes.


Never rich or great in the way yO1
, mean, or even famous until after he wa
dead"


Then I'd rather have you like Ma
Jor Wild, for he owns much land, live
J in grand house, and wears the fines
laced coat in all the town. Will 20
be like him. please, Nat q
Z mo, | won't !" answered the lad
/