New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-02-02

H WHY AHa tANAb AAAAf a w
the happiest girl in the world. I'd be
willing TO pick up wood great deal
oftener than / do, and ] shouldn't be
tired carrying mothers wash basket,
if it is heavy" " I've been think
ing" said Johnnie" =" that if | could
buy one of those knives ] could make
you great many pretty toys. They
would not be painted, but you could
pretend so." "0h, do get a knife
said Katie, jumping up and down be-
fore the window; shall be so happy.
Do you think you could make bed
stead 7" Eyes, 1 do" replied her
brother, land chairs and sofas too"
Cant you get a knife some way 7"
asked Katie, looking very thought
fully at her brother. You've got
apple money enough now to buy one;
take it out of your pocket and count
it," she continued. johnnie took out
the pennies and counted thirty-four.
"All those pennies will get one, |
know" said his sister, a look of
triumph on her face. oLet's go in
and see." Mother wants this money
to buy bread with for supper"
Johnnie said, stepping on to the step
before the door. u don't think we
ought to spend it for knife; but do
wish had one. could make so many
pretty things fer you" Johnnie's
care-worn face and patched pantaloons
were seen through the glass doors
by the merchant. "What do
you wish, boy |" seid he, opening the
door. Johnnie made no answer, evil
IDENTIFY struggling with the great temp
tation. He wants to buy knife.
SIR" said Katie; "have you any for
thirty four cents " "No, Katie" said
the boy, 81 will not buy knife to-day"
''Be off, them" said the merchant, land
don't be hanging around here unless
you wish to buy something" "Why
didn't you buy the knife, Johnnie 7"
said Katie, as they passed on their way.
81 knew l ought not" he replied.
Lets hurry to the bakeshop, get the
bread, and go home" ''What made
you go without buying the knife, when
you had your hand on the door ~ said
Katie. "You know the prayer that
we say every night, Katie, that has
Lead us not into temptation in it =!
Well, that came into my thoughts, and
] almost felt hand leading me away.
This is mothers money; she sent us to
buy bread with it."
They reached the bakery. The
money was soon exchanged fer bread.
Katie took one loaf and Johnnie the
other. They then began to retraee
their steps toward home. They walked
along in silence till they stopped in a
narrow street in front of tenement
house. Climbing up two flights of stairs,
they opened the door of a back room.
''What makes you so late tonight,
children 7" said their mother, as she
took the bread out of their hands. I'VE
stopped to look at the pretty things in
the windows" said Katie. The mother
said no more, but prepared the evening
meal. After supper Johnnie said,
''Motber, can l go over to Tristan
Corners awhile 2" His mother said
"yes." Tristan Conner was Grip
pied soldier; he had but one leg, the
other he lost a great many years ago.
He supported himself mending shoes.
He did not earn much, as the neighbors
were poor. Johnnie went into the shop
and sat down by Tristam's bench.
,'How goes the world with you to-day,
my boy 7" said the shoemaker, looking
into Johnnies troubled face. LAS we'll
as usual. Could you lend me your knife
for an hour or so ~ 80 yes" replied
the man, ''what do you wish to do with
itr' 81 thought I'd try and white
out some toys for Katie" the boy re-
piled; " she wants some so much, and
we are not able to buy any" That's
right" said Tristan, ''glad you wish
to make your sister happy" Johnnie
whitfield and talked. In one hour he
had put very passable bedstead up.
1t had no paint on it, and the cords
were of Tristam's shoe thread-but it
was bedstead, Notwithstanding.
While he was making it, Johnnie
told Tristan the story of the knife.
"That was the Lord who led you away;
1 know it was" said the old man.
"T've felt his hand pulling me away
from things ought not to do. Now,
l try not to look at what he has not
given me, but walk right by, saying,
] lead me not into temptation. lead me
not into temptation "That's a
good way" said Johnnie, "and I'll
try to remember it. I wish l had a
doll to put on this bedstead," said the
boy, as he took it in his hand to go
home. i" Perhaps mother could man
ufacture one," said the kind old man.
another % he called, loud enough to
be heard in the room back of the shop.
Mrs. Conner appeared in the door.
She was a good natured woman and
spoke pleasantly to Johnnie-an the
time knitting ON the blue sock she had
in her hand. Mother, havn't you
got something to make Katie doll of!
See, Johnnie has manufactured bed
stead, and it will be useless without
somebody TO sleep on it," Mrs. Con-
ner looked in a bureau drawer. She
said as she turned over the contents,
that she had not thought of a doll in
years. She drew out piece of pink
calico, and asked Johnnie if that would
do for dress. Johnnie thought it
would. She took needle and thread
and soon made rag baby, dressed it
in pink and handed it to Johnnie.
] katie will be so pleased" said he, as
he laid it on the hedstead.
Johnnie had to give another look at
the knife that had executed the piece of
furniture. "What are you thinking
about ? " said Tristan, as he saw that