Newport High School - Blunita Yearbook (Newport, PA)

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THE BLUE AND WHITE 11 Then lie thought of the evil-faced men he had seen earlier in the day. He leaped to the wharf and walked rapidly, but he did not know where to go. Suddenly, he rushed into the cabin of a boat from which a loud voiced conversation issued. There he saw Oliver playing poke with the three men. Lincoln seized the boy and before Oliver could realize what was happening he was on board his father’s boat a nil Lincoln was saying, Didn't you know that you could not win front those gamblers? They will follow us.” Scarcely had he spoken when the three men rushed upon them. The ruffians learned that those who earn their money honestly by physical labor cannot easily be robbed of it. for they were precipitated to the wharf quite suddenly. Lincoln and Oliver decided to make their departure at once. After they had passed through the maze of vessels, large and small, which marked the terminus of the great central artery of commerce, Lincoln asked his companion what was worrying him. The boy replied that he did not like to tell his parents about his folly. I will give you as much money as you lost so that your parents will not learn of the affair il you will promise that you will never gamble again, but my only motive is to save them from the pain such knowledge would cause,” answered Lincoln. Oliver not only made the promise but he kept it and he gave Lincoln due gratitude for having remodeled his character. LEAH SMITH. ’23. Little Miss Pop-Corn. “Please, sir, buy some pop-corn? It was a snowy, blustering day in January, and I sat at my desk writing, when a small vo ce addressed me with the above request. Not this morning,’’ I replied rather gruffly and without glancing up. “Come, Jimmy, we must go. He won’t buy any,” I heard the small voice say in a whisper. This time there wras something sadly old in the childish tones. They touched my ear and heart together- and I turned quickly. Hefore me was a figure of a little g rl, perhaps eight years old, poorly clad, and beside her a boy -her brother, as I afterwards learned—a little older than herself. She carried a small basket of puffy white corn. There was such a look of innocence in her big blue eyes that I was fairly conquered. “How much is your pop-corn, my child? 1 asked. The pretty mouth dimpled with pleasure as she replied. Two cents a cup, sir, and two cups for five cents.” I smiled at the odd reckoning, and said, “Oh. you are mistaken! You mean, I guess, three cents a cup and two cups for five cents.” She shook her head very decidedly. “No, sir. I am sure. Mother said so, and she always knows.” And who Is your mother, dear child, that she allows you to come out on such a stormy day as this?

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10 THE BLUE AND WHITE southern products which the planters would have exchanged for thos of the North. In the metropolis Lincoln was to sell the cargo. The morning sun shone brightly, bidding the river gleam an invitation and Lincoln was eager to accept it when he presented himsell at tie Cobden boat landing. He noted the an mated expression on the lac. of Oliver, Mr. Cobden’s son, and he conjectured the cause. He learned that he had guessed correctly when Mr. Cobden addressed him. Abe Oliver is anxious to see the city and I told him that he might go with you if you don’t object. Of course, he will help you do the work. Lincoln assented, although he was not greatly desirous of the boy’s company. “I believe mother wants to speak to you, said his employer and Lincoln hurried to Mrs. Cobden. Will you do something for me, Mr. Lincoln? I ask you to keep Oliver from the evils of the city. You know he is only seventeen.’’ “I’ll try.” answered Lincoln earnestly and although the words implied no bold assurance, they comforted the heart of the little woman, reared in the gentler atmosphere of the east. Lincoln, himself, was but nineteen years of age, yet she knew what strength he exerted when a sense of duty impelled him. Mrs. Cobden accompanied him down to the river and there bade the two boys farewell. Lincoln and Oliver were not well acquainted for Oliver had shown a preference for some boys of whom Lincoln had not a good opinion. But now, Lincoln resolved to gain the boy’s friendship so that he might be better prepared to fulfill the promise to his mother. They had left the Illinois River and were now upon the great Mississippi. Probably because of the cold indifference of the rushing waters to human affairs, the boys became interested in each other. Lincoln began to take pleasure in the companionship of the convivial Olivet and Oliver enjoyed conversing with the older boy, whose knowledge was so much broader than his own. The boat had entered the Southland and at night long after the moon rose to glorify the scene, it. was allowed to proceed. Then after it was anchored and moored, the occupants, lulled to sleep by its gentle rocking to and fro on the water, in their dreams saw again amid dark protecting tiees the lovely mansions resplendent in the moonlight. Finally, they reached New' Oreleans and sold the freight which now was composed of plantation products. While this business was being transacted Oliver formed the acquaintance of three men, to whom Lincoln immediately took aversion. “They are all right, said Olive ' when he was advised against them. Having finished their work, the boys set out to see the city. By even ing they were willing to return home and so prepared to start on the morrow. Accordingly, Lincoln went forth to purchase sugar, flour and other supplies. Oliver said he would remain on the boat as one day of city life had wearied him. The money obtained by selling the carg . was entrusted to him for Lincoln did not want to carry it with h m. When Lincoln returned he was amazed to find that Oliver had gone.

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12 THE BLUE AND WHITE “My mother is at home sick; and Jimmy and I do the wcrk. After our work is done, we pop corn and sell it to get money with which to buy medicine for mother dear.’’ Growing interested in this small history, I proceeded with my qu i-tions. “What is your name?” Mary; but most people call me, Little Miss Pop-Corn.” Well then Little Miss Pop-Corn, have you a father?’’ Here, at least, 1 nad touched . ome sensitive chord in the small heart. Her sweet mouth trembled a little as she answered, Yes, sir, bui father went away and left us seven years ago, when I was a baby, and now mother is sick, and Jimmy and 1 have to work.” “Hut, my child, have you not heard anything from him for seven years?” “Oh, yes. Last year a man came and told mother that father workeu in his mill once, and then father fell sick, and he told Mr. Parkman that he was coming home as soon as he was well, but that was almost a year ago. and he has not come.” “Do you know where this Mr. Parkman lives, Mary?” “Mother knows,” was the quiet answer. “Very well. Find out from your mother where he lives; write him a letter, and ask about your father, without letting your mother know it.” “1 can’t write; 1 only print,” was the hesitating reply. “Just as well,” said I, “do that.’’ 1 then took her around to all the neighboring oflices until she had disposed of all her corn, and both hands were full of pennies. She was so pleased with her success that her eyes sparkled with joy-and after a hearty Thank you, sir,” she walked away. Several days passed, and 1 believed that I had seen the last of Mary. Indeed, in the press of business, I had almost forgotten the child’s existence, when one morning my office door oj ened very softJy, and she stood before me. She placed on my desk a paper, which I opened and read—letters of all s zes—her letter to Mr. Parkman. After reading her letter, I looked up smiling, and said, “But, Mary, you have not told who you are, nor what your name is, nor anything about your self. Now write that down here in the corner.” She took the paper, and wrote silently for a few moments, then handed it back with this added: “I am Mary, but some call me, Little Miss Pop-Corn.” “Very well.” said I. “Now tell me where to send it and then you may go. If an answer comes I will send it to you.” I added a page or two to her letter explaining who she was, and told the unknown Mr. Parkman that he would be repaid for taking the trouble of replying to the child’s letter, if he could only see the bright, hopeful face with which the letter was sent. Again the matter escaped my mind, and as I came in one morning and looked over my mail, 1 wras for a moment surprised to find a letter directed to Miss Mary Smith.