The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1859-07-30
Gle 4anlilp Girilc.
The Broken Saw.


a boy went to live with n man who was
accounted hard master. lie never kept his
boys: they ran away, or gave notice that
they meant to quit !; so he was half the time
without, or in search of boy. The work
was not very hard-openng and sweeping
out the shop, choppng wood, going brands,
and helping round. At last Sam Fisher went
to live with him. SANS good boy"
| said his mother. | should like to see bow
now -a-days that had a spark of goodness in
him. growlcd the new master.
1t is always bad to begin with man who
has no confidence in you because, do your
best, you are likely TO have little credit for it.
However, he would try the wages We're good
and his mother wanted him to 90. Sam had
been there but three days. before, in saving
crosS-graincd stick OF wood, he broke the
saw he was little frightened. lie knew
he was careful, and he knew he was pretty
good saver, too, for a boy of his own age !;
nevertheless, the saw broke in his hands.
Mr.. Jones will thrash you for it, said
another boy, IN the wo od-house with him.
Why, Of course, didn't mean to, and &C.
cidents will happen to the best of folks,
sand Sam looking with very sorry a ir on the
broken saw. - Mr.. Jones never makes
allowances. said the other boy, never saw
anything like him. That Bill might have
stayed, only he jumped into hens nest and
broke hrr eggs. He darcn't tell of it but
MIR. Jones kept suspcctmg, and laid every
thing out of the way to Bill, whether Bill
was to blame or not, till Bill couldn't stand
it, and wouldn't" Did he tell Mr.. Jones
about the eggs 90 asked Sam. "No," said
the boy; he was 'frad to-Mr. Jones has
got such temper" Il think he'd better
owned square up" said Sam. Il reckon
you II find it better to preach than to prac-
tice," said the boy; "l'd run away before
Id tel him." and he soon turned on his
heel and left poor Sam alone with his broken
saw.
1t was after supper, and he was not likely
to see Mr.. Jones that night. The shop was
shut, and his master has gone to some
town-meeting. The next morning he would
get up carly, 90 into the wood house, and
see what was done, for Sam would never
hide the saw.
The poor boy did not feel very comfora-
bic, or happy. He shut up the wood-house,
walked out into the garden and then went
up to his little chamber under the caves. -
lie wished he could tell Mrs. Jones but
she wasn't sociable and he had rather not
80, my God" said Sam, falling on his
knees, help me to do the thing that is
right Sam had always said his prayers
but he had not put his own heart in his
prayers as he did that night that night he
prayed. do not know what time it was,
but when Mr.. Jones came into the house the
boy heard him. lie got up, crept down
stairs, and met Mr.. Jones in the Kitchen
" Sir" said Sam, II broke your saw, and
thought I'd come and tell You fore you
saw it in the morning. What did you
set up to tell me for e. asked Mr.. Jones
- should thnk morning would be time
enough to tell me of your carelessness. -
9 Because" said Sam, - | was afraid if |
put it off might he tempted to lie about it.. -
I'm sorry | broke it; but | tired to be
careful"
Mr.. Jones looked at the boy from head
foot, then stretched out his hand There
SAM" he said heartily, "give me
your hand. Shake hands I'll trust you,
Sam. That's right: go to bed, boy never
fear. | am glad that the saw broke it
shows the meltes in yon. Go TO bed
Mr.. Jones was fairly won. Never were
better friends after that than Sam and he Sam
thinks justice has not been done Mr.. Jones'
If the boys had treated him honestly and
above board he would have been good
man to live with. ! was their conduct that
soured and made him suspicious. DO not
know how that is; ! only know that Sam
Fisher finds in Mr.. Jones kind master and
faithful friend.