Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1861-11-09
Tell the Truth.
A STORY FOR BOYS.

IRON nOOp came bouncing aSalllSL II.
Up jumped the old gentleman who sat
behind the counter reading q newspa-
per, and ran to the door; but he was not
so quick in his movements as the unfor-
tunate owner Of ,he hoop; and all that
Mr.. Bebee, the druggist saw, as he look
ed out, was pair ofheels flying around
the corner.
"You young rascal" said be, as he
shook his fist in the direction of the fl-
gitive; "just let me catch you, that's
all -
But while he was wasting his wrath
on the air, let us follow poor Charley
Mann (for such was the name of the
window breaker) as he ran towards the
house.
AS soon as he caught sight Of his
neat little home, with the clean white
muslin curtains, and a face behind them
which he fancied was his mothers, he
stopped and said to himself, EThis isn't
right--pshaw what was [ thinking of?''
Then turning round he slowly retraced
his steps toward the druggists.
Mr.. Bebec was not in a very amiable
mood when Charley went in and the
hoop which the latter still held in his
hand did not help to mend the matters
care you the boy that broke my Win
dow % asked Mr. Bebee, getting up and
selling his cane in very threatening
manner.
Eyes, sir; and I came to say that l
am very sorry for it, and to know now
much | must pay for a new pane of
glass"
"Yow pay for it ~ exclaimed Mr. Be
bee, Il don't believe YOU ever had so
much money in your life as would pay
for that glass"
81 have got two-and ninepencc, sir, y
at the same time putting the money on
the counter, "and I'll work for you and
earn the rest if you'll let me-"
"Can't your father pay for it 20
Il have no father, sis" answered
Charley, rather sadly.
"Well can't your mother pay for it? %
"She's very poor, sir, and / should
hate to ask her for the money"
w llaC llId'tc YOU Ittl away "HcL
you broke the window %
"Why, at first" said Charley, hesi-
tatingly, Il was afraid | should get a
beating'
"What made you come back again,
then %
"Because I felt that I was acting like
a coward, and [ knew mother would be
vexed with me, and | thought I had
better do right and run the risk Of YOU,
cane, than do wrong and make mother
| sorry"
:. - ''Don't you call it wrong to break my
window %
Eyes, sir, because it was careless OF
me. Mother says we are apt to do
wrong, and, when we do, we should
atone for it; and I don't know what
can do except to give you all the money
| have got, and try to earn more," and
poer Charlie looked sadly out of the
broken window.
Now, the fact was, Mr.. Bebee was
not half so cross as he looked; he was
very much pleased with Charley's con
duct, and only questioned him.
"What is your name ?" inquired he
"Charles Mann"
"Wher do you live %
Charley told him.
"What does your mother do"
"She takes in sewing when she Cal
get any, but she hasn't had any for ;
long while,' and Charley looked wist
fully at the two and ninepence.
"Perhaps she will be angry with yo'
for giving me that money"
"Oh. no, sir. | know she woult
rather | would"
"How old are you?"
"Twelve years"
"And what do you do for living p
"Mother wanted me TO 90 to the pub
lie school as long as she could carr
enough to support Us; but this mornin.
she said she was afraid I should hav
to look around for something to do, a
she couldn't get enough Of work"
"Wel, Charles, | believe iii take
you into my store until you earn enough
to pay for the window; but l am almos
afraid you'll be breaking the bottles o
jars every day"
'I'll try to be more careful, SIR"
"Well, begin tomorrow morning
and now go home to your mother"
"Shan't | go to the glazier tirst?''
Eyes, do
And off went Charley; the heels flew
Just as they did before, but it was t.
different music this time. In the mean
time Mr.. Bebee walked toward the fur
ther end of the store, and opening =:
door which led to the dwelling part 0