St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1863-12-17

from the sun and dust in the same am.
manner. One or two Of the leaves, how
ever, had fallen aside, and I recognized
some Of the results Of my own early Ia
bors. At sight Of me, Tommy attempt
ed to hide ; but, finding that impossi-
bic, he changed his tactics and boldly
offered his wares. ''r 49,
"Why Tommy" said I "thoso hearts
and rounds, and that slice Of pound
cake, and those two little pies, are
mine !" - '''' ri
"And, indade, thin, they're nice,
ma'am, if ye made 'um.. lw'id yer own "a
white fingers" replied the veuder, un-
abashed }?'.'..,' '..+.' ,"''
"Tommy, did Philip Stuart give you
those things?" -: '..' ..'
! Tommy hesitatcd while he made a
curious and anxious inspection of my
counteuapce. ~' =
"You didn't steal them, Tommy
can't believe that you did,
"Oh, no ma'am," and the smiling
assurance faded out Of the little face.
"No, I didn't think that. Then
either Philip or Bridget must have
given them to you Tell the truth,
Tommy, that is always best in the long
rum" ''' Il :''''
"It was Philip, ma'am, but he said
ye'd re willing. He said the more he
TUX, the more yc put in the boxes
And ye won't bang him, or pinch his
ears, OF knock his head, or pull his
hair, ma'am, will ye? I'd ruther ye'd
do it to me. I'm used to 1t, and ii
won't hurt me so bad"
81 shant bang either of you Tommy
and you are very welcome to everything
you have had.' - !.
-"Thin won't ye plasc to ate a piece
of tho cake or some Of the berries
na'am? I've KEEP 'em clean, jist a:
Philip give 'em to me See how COO
and green the leaves are how.''
involuntarily drew back, but :
panied look crept into the pleasant face
md Tho vo. .---e:->-~~u;nnrod np 4h.
child said !: "Plaze do, ma'an, and thil
I shall be shure ye've forgiven Philil
and me"
I could resist no longer. l broke Of
a crumb Of cake and took a couple o
cherries, while Tommy watched mi
with intense pleasure. ''Good bye
Tommy" I said "Go and sell th'
rest Of yonr things, and come to see nj
this afternoon at six o'clock. You shal
have cake and cherries for yourself"
"Philip," said I, when l reaches
home, edo you know Tommy McPhc
Ian 2"
"To be sure / do, Auntie. I foun'
him out the third day after 1 came t.
Holly And Oh, auntie, dear, only t
think of your fancying I ate all thos
goodies that he has been selling so long
Why,I hav'nt eaten a mouthful ava
from the table since I've been here
except when you and I have lunche
together" and Philip burst iato fit 9
laughter which threatened never to enc
t., W hen he recovered I learned tina
Tommy had wretched home, that hi
parents were lazy and Incorporate, an
that he himself had been trying to &C
a decent suit of clothes in order to tax
service with some respectable famil!
Philip had found him with dirty bas
ket, attempting TO sell a few sticks {
candy and a roll or two of lozcnger
He had urged the necessity Of person:
cleanliness, had suggested the ira
with its pretty covering Of leaves, an
had added such articles as he could
his little stock. The latter, he tol
me, has sold remarkably we'll, and ii
small yender would have been alread
fitted out with trim garments but th'
he was obliged to share his profits wit
his miserable parents.
"And did your money. go with th
cake, Philip ?"
eyes, auntie, only l put that safe
away for Tommy, myself, and old NJ
Phelan and his wifs don't know an
thing about it. Thought, auntie, no
dreadful it would be for me to live
;: that horrid hole, aud ! wanted to he
J., Tommy out Of it. Was wrong, aaa
, ie? Oughtn't I to have taken Il
! cakes and pies ?'' .'''''', "... '''..''., =
| j.. Tommy l'l'n arrived. promptly q: 8
}. o'clock. He had made a little prepar
, ton for the visit BY drawing up Il
, holes in his garments with various
! -, Il ~ Y ~ r. IL. - :,