The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1860-10-31

die yet-how pale he looked-how strange
Tom fell upon his knees, and prayed God to
" spare Dicks life, and from that time forth,
with God's.help, he promised that he would
strive to conquer this wicked passion"
Then, as he could no longer bear his ter
rible suspense, he started for widow Casey's
cottage. As he appeared at the humble door.
Mrs. Casey angrily ordered him away, say
ing: "You have made poor woman trouble
enough for one day" But Dicks feeble
in, was just as bad as he."
Tom gave cry Of joy at bearing those
welcome tones, and sprang hastily in. There
sat poor Dick with his hands bound up, lock-
ing very pale, but Tom thanked God that he
was alive.
Il should like to know how am to live
now, sighed Mrs. Casey. Who will weed
the garden, and carry my vegetables to mar
ket? | am afraid we shall suffer for bread
before the Summer is over" and she put her
apron on her eyes.
Mrs. Casey" cried Tom, eagerly, will
do everything. that Dick did. Twill sell the
potatoes and beans, and will even drive Mr..
Browns cows to pasture"
Mrs. Casey shook her head incredulously,
but Tom brayely kept his word. For the
next few weeks Tom was at his post bright
and early, and the garden was never kept in
better order. And every morning Tiger and
Tom stood faithfully in the market place
with their baskets, and never gave up, no
matter how warm the day, till the last veg
etable was sold, and the money placed faith
fully in Mrs. Casey's hand.
Hnf.f Sc 60 tbo. tta,, II II
ket and gave his little son an encouraging
smile, but he did not offer to help him out OF
his difficulty, for he knew if Tom struggled
on alone, ii would be lesson he would never
iorset. Already he was becoming SO gentle
and patient, that every one noticed the
change, and his mother rejoiced over the
sweet fruits OF his repentance and self-sacri-
flee.
After few weeks the bandages were re-
moved from Dicks hands, but they had been
unskiltully treated, and we're drawn up in
very strange shapes. Mrs. Casey would not
conceal her grief. "He will never be the
help he was BEFORE" she said to Tom, !" he
will never be like other boys, and he wrote
such fine hand, now he can no more make
letter than that little chicken in the gar
den."
" If he only.had great city DOCTOR" said
neighbor, he might have been all right.
Even now his fingers might be helped if YOU
took him to New York.
$ Oh, am too poor, too poor" said she,
and Dick burst into tears.
Tom could not bear it, and again rushed
into the woods TO think what could be done,
for he had already given them all his quar-
ter's allowance. All at once thought fash
ed into his head, and he started as il he had
been shot. Then he cried in great distress.
No, no, anything but that, can't do
that =
Tiger gently licked his hands, and watched
him with great concern. Now came great
struggle. TOm rocked backwards and for
wards, and although he was proud boy, he
.obbed aloud. Tiger whined, licked his
face. rushed Of. in dark corners, and barked
sayagely at some imaginary enemy, and then
came back, and putting his paws on Toms
knees, wagged his tail in anxious sympathy.
1t last Tom took his hands from his pale,
tear-stained face, and looked into the dogs
great honest eyes, he cried with queer
shake in his voice:
+" Tiger, old fellow! dear old dog, could
NMA GAEE tNE&ikt tNe u NUlW NWu
Then came another burst of sorrow, and
fom rose hastily, as il afraid to trust him
self. aud almost ran out Of the woods. Over
the fields he raced with Tiger close to his
heels, nor rested moment till he stood at
Major Whites door nearly two miles away.
:. DO you still want Tiger. siri"
Why YES" said the old man in great sur
prize, "bgt do YOU want 70 sell him,
! Ne, pleas" gasped Tom, not daring to
look IL his old companion. The exchange
vas quickly made, and the ten dollars in
foms hand. Tiger was beguiled into
barn, and the door hastily shut, and Tom
@as harrying 0h, when he turned, aud cried
in choking voice
fou will be kind TO him, Major White.
won't your Don't whip him, never did,
and he's the best dog
i" No. no, child, said Major White kindly,
" III treat him like prince, and il you ever
want to buy him back, you shall have him."
Tom managed to ialter +" thank you" and
almost few out of hearing Of Tigers eager
on lhc barn door.
am making ms story too long, and can
lnly tell you IN few words that Toms sacri.
ice was accepted. A friend took little Dick
10 the city free Of expense. and Toms money
,aid for the necessary operation. The poor
crooked fingers were very much improved,
ind were SOM almost as good as ever. Aud
he whole village loved Tom for his brave,
,elf-sacrihcing spirit, and the noble amend.
nent he had made for his moment of passion.
Afew DAYS after Dicks return came Toms
but he did not feel ID his usual
spirits. In spite Of his great delight IN Dicks
recovery, he had so moafned over the matter.
and had taken Tigers loss 20 much to heart,
that he had grown pale aud thin. -, y he
was permitted 10 spend the day a. be plea.
scd, he took his book. aud went to his iayor-
ite haunt in The woods.
How different from my last birthday"
thought Tom. i" Then Tiger had just come,