The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-05-21
JUVENILE COLUMN.
A TIGHT FIT.

Kitty. can't You End that child some
thing more decent in the way of cfOthe
than what he has got on Z" said Peter to hi
wife he's a perfect fright to look upon"
Peter White had just returned from hi
days work. and as he sat by the fire hi
eye had fallen upon little Tom, the onl
boy at home, who had just thrown off
jacket very much the worse for wear, an
was quietly sitting down to tea in his shirt
sleeves.
Mrs. White looked up with sigh. "Bles
the boy" said che, " he is always growing
out Of his things, and tearing and wearing
them besides. I mend and wash and piec
and darn, and then all you say to me, Peter
10, why don't you find that child some
thing more decenti' You know what you
money comes to, Peter, and you know it,
hard enough to scrape along as we do and
to knowf"
"Well, mover mind, Kitty" said White
soothing!y ~ am aware that you do YOU
best, and did not mean to find fault; but
the poor child is very shabby"
Tom was listening to this conversation
and presently he said, 81 do wish had
some better clothes, father; the boys q,
Sunday school laugh at me, and AJAX me il
ny mother keeps a rag shop, and if have
not any old things to sell . and get cross
and BY the time have to say my catechism
l have forgotten all about it."
{" 1t j: hard for you. Tommy" replied his
father kindly; elf I were only little
as any boy in the city,. but somehow now
a-dsys it's hard enough even to get bread,
much less clothes"
Little Tom finished his tea and went to
bed, while his parents still sat over the
fire. Atlast Mrs. White said, +" have just
tailor, has some boys clothes which he has
bouSht-fOr you know he deals in second
Land things-and which he might let us
have cheap"
81 think it is very likely to be the case"
said the husband, and wish you would 60
down and see how it is."
Next day Mrs. White and Tom were on
their way to the tailor shop. On making
known their wants, the tailor frightened
up, and said, 81 have just got the things
that will suit yOu-a jacket and waistcoat
which made for the bakers SOD, but they
were too small for him, and pair Of
breaches for one of the parish orphan boys
and which also unfortunately did not fit.
1 shal! be glad to let you have them for less
than they cost me-"
Mrs. White seated herself on q chair, and
said, "Now, Tom. try them on quickly"
Tom readily obeyed, and struggled, with
the tailor's help, to get himself into the
clothes, but, sad to tell, they were tight
tit indeed. He stood cramp and stiff, and
fields to brighten away the birds. Mr..
Mullin, the tailor, looked bewiidered, for
he had felt quite sure he could accommo-
date poor Tom. The jacket was tight in
the collar, tight in the armholes, tight at
the wrists-in fact it pinched him at all
points. At last, overcome with pain and
he threw himself upon a
chair and cried aloud.
MIR. Mullin again betbought himself, and
after search in his shop, brought forward
another jacket, with pair of trowsers,
both second hand, which, after trying on
were declared to be admirable, as if they
were just made for him.
A bargain was soon made for the dress,
and Tom and his mother fastened home to
show to the father their successful pur-
chase.
On arriving at the cottage Tom was
again called to put on his new clothes.
This done, he stood erect in the middle of
The room, and putting his hand into one of
The pockets, he gave q shout of delight,
md commenced dancing all over the place.
q Father, mother, just see what I've found"
,ried he, holding up pocket-book, which
proved to be we'll filled "now you can get
ne new pair of Shoes"
" Stop 3 bit, Tom," said his father grave
y, " you are forgetting yourself and your |
iuty, my boy. Whose money think you
his isl"
Tom hung his head, but said presently,
suppose it belongs to Mr.. Mullin."
=" Very we'll, then; though they sold us
he jacket, you may be sure they did not
NOW there was money in the pocket; 30
o-morrow shall take it back again"
Tom was sadly disappointed, but he felt
hat his father was right, SO lie said no
more.
The next day Peter White took back the
money, and Mrs. Mullin spoke very kindly,
md promised to tell her husband all about
t. White, however, heard nothing more
Until one evening-it was Saturday-there
anne knock at the door, and in walked
me of Mr.. Mullins sons, with q parcel
!nder his arm. "If you please, Mrs.
Vhite," said he, " father sends you this for
our boy, because he likes honest folks,
nd because he has a respect for you; SO
wish you good night"
The parcel proved to contain whole
ew suit of clothes, warm and neat and
ew, and Tom, when he dressed himself in
hem on Sunday morning, to 60 to Mass,
7as heard to say that he should never have
cen 30 we'll dressed, if his father had not
cen an honest man, and that SO long as he
wed he should not forget the delight that
ad arisen out of the great disappointment
f HThe Tight Fit.D-Gudrdi1n An1el