The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1863-06-06
FORGETFULNESS.

q bad fauit-he was FoRGETFUL, and
as is usual in such cases, he forgot
things just al the wrong time.
One afternoon as he was going to
seek AMUSEMENT with some Of his
companions, feeling unusually well
and happy because he had done a
good deed as all children will feel
when they do right for the rights
sake-he passed little house, when
his attention was attracted by an old
lady who inquired:
"Charlie Allen, whar you going!"
"Nowhere in particular-onlv of
TO play. Do you want any thing!'
ayes. Little Jenny is took down
mighty bad, and we want DIR. Salt
er as soon as we can get him."
swell, I'll run right away. I'm
glad you happened to see me-"
"Thank you much and kindly
Jenny is-proper bad-tell the doc
tor to come quick"
ayes, that will"
And Charlie, who knew Jenny
as a little Irish boy whom his mo,h-
er had often employed about her gar
den, started with much speed for the
doctor. He had only gone short
distance before he met John Smith
coming for him, who said:
80, Charlie! how lucky met you!
You are the very one | wan,ed. Joe
Bates has got his big boat out; we
have let the new flag fly, ars,siripes
and all, and he is going TO row US
down to Chimney Point. He says
the lake is as smoothe as glass, but
he thinks there will be a fine breeze
to bring US back, without touching
an oar. Come"
"Splendidr said Charlie, cutting
some antics. You just wait till
run home and ask father"
81 met your father. and he said if
Joe was going, you might, and that
/ could tell you so, because We have
not a moment to lose"
Of ran the two boys as fast as
their feet could carry them, to the
side Of the lake, where the pretty
green boat lay dancing on the water,
and the new flag, which the boys in
a fit Of patriotism had bought, was
flying from the top of the spread
sail, looking like holiday. The
other boys were already there, and
they set up shout as Garlic and
John made their appearance. VIVA,
an afternoon they had so full of en-
joyment! And it vert so quickly
it seemed hardly possible that it cod
60 SO soon.
The breeze that Joe had predicted
came, and as they went scudding
home before a good wind,it would be
impossible TO tell the many happy
and funny things they said and did
Their boat was represented as The
Monitor, and they were chasing til,
Merrimac down TO the depths wher
she belonged /; and they seemingi,
never grew weary Of this play.
They had SO good u time they al
were very tired. and when, Just a
dusk, Charlie reached home.he lhres
himself down full length on the foo
in his mothers room. and declare
that he never was SO tired and hap
py in his life before. While he wa
lying there, his father came ir
Charlie saw al once that he locke
very sober, and thiking it was be
cause he was in so careless position
he got up and sat in chair, bu. hi
father took no notice of him eve
then, and al last Charlie asked,
"Father, what is the matterr
"a very sad thing, Charlie: on
your mother will feel very nue.
for - Little Jenny Sullivan i
dead.'
"DeadI' exclaimed Charlie, nos
for the first time recollecting the er
rand upon which he had been sent
dead! not dead!'
Eyes, Charlie, dead! He seem
10 have had fit, and when III.
physician reached him,it was too lat
to save him, he said. And it onl,
makes it harder and more painful fo
the friends to bear, that i'll he had beel
called an hour sooner,he might hav'
saved the child. 1t seems they sen
by some careless boy,w never dix
his errand.'
Mr. Allen heard a loud groan
and looking up. saw Charlie, as pail
as death. staggering toward him.
"Father,' he gasped out, lit was
it was ]! Say, father, have | killed
him.
Charlie had forgotten Jemm,
was dead-did he Kill him!
Charlie is now a man; he has nev
er been able to settle the question in
his own mind whether he killed lrisl
Jenny or not; but that event made
him thoughtful, and now he never
forgets. He spoke to me Of the oc
81 l.