Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-03-18
Jem and the Pocket Book.

''Jem, dropped my pocket book some
where out here Have you seen it?' asked
| a farmer, one day, of boy who was hoeing
| potatoes for him in field
| No, sir, said Jem, Il have not.
We'll, suppose you help me to find it.
| you look along that side of the field towards
the gate, while | look on this, rejoined Mr.
Beers, pointing in the direction shown:
Yes, sir, said Jem, cheerfully, and
dropping his hoe in the furrow he started
along the edge of the field carefully looking
for the lost pocket book
When he reached the gate he found the
farmer there before him, with the pocket
book In his hand. Jem looked pleased, and
said: You have it, sir2''
Yes, replied the farmer, Il have, and
l guess you knew very we'll where it was. |
found it right beside your dinner kettle, un-
der the grass, where, suppose, you left it. y
| Jem felt the color rise to mis- temples and
anger burned in his heart; but the latter he
kept down, for he was Christian boy, and
quietly answered Il know nothing about
your pocket book, sir. l cannot tell how it
came to be near my dinner kettle. -
~ on are very innocent, dare say, said
the farmer. with sneer, but facts don t
favor that opinion. | don't want suspicious
boys about my place, SO you may quit as
soon as you like"
Poor Jem was dumb with surprise and
sorrow. Taking up his dinner kettle, he
left the field and went directly home to his
mother He told her the story of his mis-
tortuLe, and closed by saying: You believe
me, mother, don't your
Il do, my son, she replied; Il don't be-
lieve you could either lie or steal for the
best filled pocket-hook in the world
Jem was comforted. His mother had
faith in his word, and voice whispered,
Jesus knows His own heart, too, freed
him. Though suspected of lying and dis
honesty, he was at peace, because he knew
the suspicion to be unjust.
The farmer, believing that Jcm had hid
the roeket- book, told the story to his friends.
Some believed it, but many shook their
heads and said, 1t can't be. Jem has al
ways been truthful and honest boy. .
Jem felt sad to know that any thought
him guilty. But he told the story over and
over to his Heavenly Father, and was com
forted. Jesus made him strong to bear
sent for Jem and offered to hire him. Jen
asked if he knew about the pocket book.
'.Yes," said he, Il know more than you
do about it saw your dog with book in
his mouth going towards your dinner kettle.
[ supposed you had sent him to do it, until
l heard this morning from Farmer Beers
that you were suspected yourself.
Thus the mystery was solved Jem's dog
had found and hid the pocket book. The
boy honor was now clear. He had bet
ter place than before, and his heart was a
happy as the love of Jesus could make it.
Happy Jem He lived to be very usefu
man, the trusted clerk of his employer, the
support of his mother, and an honor to the
church of God Suppose he had been gull
ty of hiding the pocket book, and lying
about it, would not the story of his life have
been very different one? You know ii
would. Learn, therefore, to be as true.
Your life will then be happy, honorable, and
useful to yourself and the world