Up the Ladder: Striving and Thriving
9781465679024
213 pages
Library of Alexandria
Overview
ON the steps leading into the back court of one of the largest hotels in the city of — might be seen, early on a June morning, a lad apparently about ten years of age. He was a rosy, good-humored boy, and was at this moment whistling a lively tune in a subdued tone, while his hands were busily employed in shelling peas. Before him, on the stone pavement, stood a bushel-basket of peas in the pod. From this basket he transferred them to a pan in his lap, and from thence, when shelled, to a larger one which stood within the door. He had just commenced his task, but seemed not at all discouraged by it. He went on merrily, whistling "Dan Tucker," occasionally glancing up toward a platform which was used for drying clothes. This had a light railing around it; and presently he was rewarded by the glimpse of a bright face, surrounded with golden curls, peeping shyly at him. His smile was followed by a silvery laugh from behind the railing; and soon the little face beamed on him again. "Good morning, little boy!" He smiled and nodded. The whistling had ceased. He thought her voice, sweeter than music. His eyes feasted upon her happy countenance; but his hands plied faithfully their task. "Ar'n't you sorry you has got so many peas to shell?" "No, I'm glad," was the low response. "Don't you like to have me talk to you?" "Oh yes!" There was a heartiness in the tone which gave great emphasis to the words. The child, after shaking her curls and laughing gaily, asked, "Why don't you talk to me, then?" Harrison, for that was the boy's name, paused. He did not know exactly how to put his thoughts into words; but presently he said, "I am a poor boy, and perhaps your mother wouldn't like it." "I'll ask her, then;" and away tripped the miss, through the long hall, up stairs to her mother's room. "O mamma! there's a boy down stairs; I know him very well, because I've seen him every day. He always looks so pleasant, and whistles such pretty tunes, and I want to talk to him; but he is afraid you wouldn't like it."
