Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-11-03


in some ugly brown merino, but I am de-
termlned she shall look the prettiest of them
all. SO | began to work after school. doing
all kinds of little jobs for anybody that
would hire me, and | never spent anything
for candy or marbles, you know, so that all
the boys began to call me miser But I did
not mind that, because thought my pleas
ure was coming by and by. The money
came very slowly. But when Aunt gave
me money 10 buy mittens, Just went with
out and kept my hands in my pockets. Then
got considerable on Christmas, you know,
and altogether, yesterday found | had just
enough to buy what | wanted So Mr.
Green, who is always so kind to me, excus-
cd me from my lessons this morning and
| walked all the way to B, because |
thought [ could get nicer things there, and
Madge, | bought you the prettiest green
silk 1t made me think of the woods IN
spring, and [ thought when you had it on,
with your sweet, white face, you would look
just like lily coming up out of a bed of
moss.
Dear little Jamie p said Madge ''did
you do all that for me? l am sorry You
know that / don't care what | wear"
Yes, know it, said Jamie. and you
are always lovely to me- ] suppose it is be,
cause, as Mr.. Green says, you always wear
the jewels which are of great price in the
sight OF God. haven't doubt, Madge,
but the angels think you re the prettiest
girl in the world, but some way, [ know its
toolish-I wanted to have the boys think so
too"
We'll, when | came back, just as got to
the hall door with my bundle, feeling so
proud that had earned it all myself, out
came Uncle, looking very red, and storming
about some n4oney-about twenty dollars |
think-that he said he had left in his desk
and forgot to lock it last night Nobody
knew anything about it, and | was Just 60
ing. on tlp-toe, to my room, when he called
very suddenly: What have you got in that
bundle?' A dress for Madge A dress
for Madge?' said he, louder yet, let me
see it. So | opened it, trying to tell him
that l earned all the money myself, but as
soon as he saw the pretty silk he caught
hold OF my arm so [ almost screamed, and
said: You earned money enough to buy
such dress as that? You are telling me a
talsehood. Confess now that you took my
moacy. Then out came Aunt Gould, and
Bale and Lutte, and they held up their
hands, and looked SO checked aud woulgn'
believe word | said. Then Uncle seemed
to try 20 lie kind, and told me that if con-
fessed, and asked his pardon be would for
give NE. But | couldu' tell lie and only
said that | did not, could not do such
thing, till he called me hardened, obsti
nate boy, and ordered me up to my room
And as for the dress, Madge, that L We been
thinking about mere than six months, ia
mie coughcd violently, Il heard Aunt say
that it was not quite loss, for with yard
or two more il would make a dress for Lu-
tie
Hadge tried to comfort him, but broke
down.
Never mind" said he at last, patting
her tear stained cheek, Il am determined
you shall have something nice after all. To-
morrow is the skating match, you know, and
think | am sure of the second prize, at
least, and whatever [ get shall be given to
darling Madge.
You will be sure to get it, :" cried Madge,
with eager sympathy. You've skated ev-
er since you could walk, :" and she remem-
bered with glow of pride that no one had
ever yet caught Jamie in race, and often
when you only thought him playing, he'd
be writing his name with this rather clum-
sy steel pen, on the great white page of ice,
as handsomely as on leaf of his writing
book.
Yes, you'll be sure of the prize, Jamie,
she said, exultingly, ''and | know it will all
come right with uncle too. I'm going to
tell him all about it now
But to her great grief, angry Uncle Gould
would not hear a word. No, child, said
he, mo one can make me believe that boy
would go without marbles and candies half
a year to buy his sister dress. And if he
did, he never could have saved enough for
such handsome silk. Besides, what set
ties the matter, Betty saw him in the libra
~ at my desk very early this moning, before
any one was up. 1t is clear case, though
it grieves me to say so.
The rext morning, as, after a sleepless
night, j annie stole down stairs with his skates
his uncle met him IN the hall.
You cannot skate to-day James, said
he, almost kindly, as he looked at the boy
flushed, worn face. 4 feel it but right
that you should have some punishment for
such great fault.
But | did not do it sir, said James,
imploringly.
Uncle Gould grew quite stern. 'Remem-
Der that Betty saw you, my child. Either
confess and ask pardon, or go back to your
ROOM"
Yes, jamie, said Aunt Gould, appear
ing from the parlor, you love Madge dear
ly, and no doubt the temptation was very
great. We have been talking it over, and
we wish to be as kind as your own father
and mother. Confess your fault. and, as it
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