Nebraska advertiser., 1867-12-26
nI thought MI. Ledlow was extremely

write the composition, reSolVed, Qnrllg
the afternoon, TO run away in the night,
thus escaping my bugbear. The time
came for the boys to go to bed, and l
did up all my clothes in little bundle,
and undressing myself, got into bed, and
made up my mind that as soon as the
house was still, would make my escape.
Thoughts flitterd through my mind of
| the adventurous life | was to lead, and
that after had been away some time,
/ would return to father and mother,
who would be so glad to see me that
they would readily forgive me for my
runaway frolic; still, l kept thinking
until my eyes grew weary, and l fell
asleep.
Il thought / heard a clock strike
twelve; SO Jumped up, dressed myself,
throwing my bundle over my shoulder.
and taking my shoes in my hand, l crept
down stairs, and got out of one of the
lower windows then stopped and put
on my shoes, thinking what fine thing
it was to be from the restraint of school;
and really thought how happy the old
trees must be-for they had no compost
tions to write.
Il wandered along until l heard foot
steps behind me; and imagining that my
escape had been discovered, | hastily
hid myself behind large tree, hoping
whoever they belonged to would pass me
unnOticed. Two young men, whom l had
never seen, and who were as villain
Gus looking pair as l could ever wish
not to see again, now came along and
seated themselves to rest in front of the
very tree where l had secreted myself,
81 say, Griffith" exclaimed the elder
of the two," if we only bad small boy
now TO help US in our work while we
are breaking into some store, he could
be keeping a sharp lookout. wish we
could come across such a boy; I'd take
him along pretty quick"
70. grandpa, l commence to shiver, {"
cried little Freddie, clingIng closer to
his grandfather.
"Well, Freddie, l shivered with fear
myself when l heard this man talk, and
l was almost afraid to breathe lest the
sound should discover me.
"I've often thought" said the one
called Griffith, " what good idea il
would be to break into old Ledlaw's
school some dark night and kidnap one
of the boys. l reckon the youngster
would have a harder time with US than
with the schoolmaSter; but thieves we is,
and thieves we must remain and our
apprentice must be equal to the masters,
even if he does get few years in the
States prison."
Come along" broke in the other /;
"we'll be late at our work and it won't
do to let daylight catch u.s."
"Greatly to my relief the two men
arose and left; but | was so trigh!end
that | did nothing but tremble: my teeth
chatteredalike dice. At las. l got up,
determined 10 take an opposite direction
TO that the thieves had gone. l walked
until came to little tumble-down hut,
almost covered by the dark foliage that
grew around it. Seeing light in the
window, mustered up courage to draw
near to it. The door was swinging to
and fro but between its motions !
caught glimpse of an old white. haired
woman rocking in front of the fire. |
knocked but received no answer, made
bold TO enter, and overheard the old wo-
man say:
It's high time l was dead Only two
sons, and they as bad as crime can make
them. They care not for the old mother
who loved and brought them up. Ipray
night and day that they may reform, and
may my prayers be heard"
"Do not feel so badly" said |, going
close up beside her.
"Who are you?" she cried in astonish-
meDt. "You are not spirit-are Ycu {"
"No, my good woman, | am only
runaway school. boy that wants lodging
for the night, which if you will give me,
| will bless you forever"
I'll let you have place to sleep to-
night, for you are the first person that
has spoken a kind word to me this
many a day; but you must return to
school in the morning"
o, that will, as early as it is light. "
" At that instant footsteps were heard;
the door swung open, and the two men l
had seen before entered.
"Holdr cried the eldest, espying me.
"who have we here A boy, as | live!
the very thing we were in search of.
You go along with US young man."
'He shall not !'' exclaimed the old
woman, who was no other than their
mother; "steeped as you are in crime
yourselves, you shall-not lead this inno-
cent boy into guilt"
"Donr fear" spoke up; "for / won't
go with them"
"You won't, eh? Wen see about that"
and raising a large cowhide, he was
about to bring il down over my shoulders,
when awoke, and found myself in bed
at Mr.. LedIaw's school, for my midnight
adventure proved to be nothing but a
dream"
"But, grandpa" broke in Freddie,
''you deceived me, for wanted true
story-something that really happened"
"Well, that was true story: for it hap
pend that l really did dream all have
told YOU; but let me finish it. got up and
dressed myself THAT time in reality sat
down and wrote all l have told you,
which answered for my composition; it
saved me from disgrace; and l assure
you that my dream fairly cured me of
ever wishing again TO run away from
school. Our Boys and G1rls.