American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-01-06
Miscellany.
WHY TOMMY DIDN'T GO.
A STORY WITH A MORAL.

vel as nc Ndlhcu lhlo lnt httucll, ont
chill March morning, with pail of milk
in each hand 'look here, now There
is somethin' up, and no mistake That
boy, Tommy, has made tracks for sun
bury agin, as sure as ShoUtin y
His wife, a neat, bright-cycd, ChCcry,
looking lady-yes, "A LADY, mind you =
took the milk into the pantry, trained it,
carried it down cellar, returned, cleared of
the breakfast things, set back the table,
and disappeared once more in the pantry
without saying word.
Mr.. Daniel Deliver was considerably
surprised He had never known his
amablc spouse to observe SO strict Il
silence at any remark of his since they
had been man and wife. He really didn't
know what to make of il. He drew II
little nearer to the stove, rubbed his
hands vigorously, coughed ncrvously, and
finally made bold to say
Why, Betscy, what's up :"
was thinking, Daniel, of the day
you and were married, was the answer,
in a subdued voice
Is that so? - replied Mr.. Deliver,
family. "Well, declare ~ and he sat
and glanced around as if he didn't
exactly feel at home,
But matters had not yet come to their
worst. If he had only known the turn
affairs were about to take, he could have
made some sort Of preparation but rs it
was he was totally unprcpared There
fore, when his wife stepped hastily into
the room and threw pair of plump arms
around his neck, and kissed him three
times, in rapid succession, his astonish-
ment knew no bounds. Totally iloorcd
by such an unusual display of affection,
he could do nothing better than reitcrale
his former question
"Why, Betsey, what's up y
"Well, I'll tell you what's up and that
very quickly" replied his wife, as she
seated herself on his knee and imprisoned
his brawny hands between both of hers
Indeed will I'm going to give you
regular curtain lecture"
The prisoner began to look decidedly
silly.
"You see, when you said Tommy was
off again | took to thinking Of the day
We were married. Don't you remember
a little remark you made at that time ~
The prisoner made movement a. if he
would free his hands from their manacles,
and shook his head,
"Well, do, then. You boastcd that
if ever you were blessed with a son YOU
should be sure of success in his training:
for you could never forget, as many do,
that you were once boy yourself. But
YOU hare forgotten it, and by your
houghtlessness-and love Of self, too,
Daniel-you are slowly but surely driving
our only child from home he breads TO
leave, as we to have him go.
This was the first time in her life that
Mrs. Deliver had ventured TO talk plainly
TO her husband That they loved each
other there was no doubt whatever. \
more even-tempered man than Daniel
Deliver had never lived, and his wife fully
appreciated IT, as any sensible woman
would But he had one fault-a fault he
was not aware Of possessing, Of course.
II was sclfshness. Although not stngy
man in the exact sense of the word, he
evidently considered himself the fountain
head from which all blessings cmanated,
and as natural consequence, had come
To the conclusion that profits must I'LL the
pockets of him who had to suffer the loss.
But, as We before remarked, he didn't
know that hc was seltish-nevcr had any
such idea ; and when his wife gave hint
to that effect, his Indignation knew no
bounds. Springing to his feet, he con
fronted his jailer with an angry frown,
and the words:
Pm selfish, am | /? Well, well. now
Bet, (hc had never nicknamcd her before.
think things is comm toa pretty pass.
Where'd you bin if it hadn't bin for
me, I'd like to know? All you do is 10
ask for what store clothes and other tiXins
you want, and you git en- What fills mp
That bank you're all the time drawin' on
heyy It's that there selfishncss, as yoe /
call IT. and without il we'd all be in tlr !
pOor-houSe TO day"
At this point Mr. Deliver called han. ,
and pulling splinter off a stick of stove /
wood in the box at his feet, began pix I
ing his teeth quite vigorously. But &c ;
ing his wife would say nothing, he rro- |
ceeded with his remarks, hut in ,amc- /,
what milder key:
There's Tommy now: I've done q /
heap for that boy-handrd over Pocket 4,
money, fed his company, give hin good :
rlOthin' with the intention of doi1 well I
by him when he's twenty-une: Int the a
scamp don't appreciate it no morc than {
nothin'. I've done my best, and L he's 4
mind 10 GIT contrary and want two oars. v
be- must row his own boat. that. all. for 4
m giiiin sick Of the way things is
,oin' on, anyhow
Here the speaker found souc unusual h
'bslTuclon DetNetn a cUul 81 back Il
eeth, and proceeded 10 disloI-c IL with v
~ possible dispatch 4
But, Daniel interpos.d his wife. /
why can't you begin to do ell by Tom n
ny now You forget that Ie's seventeen a
ears Old-too old 20 be pu she'd. and old a
nough 10 feel little natural indepen- G
lence- Now, you We done title more than a
eed and clothe him from his -babyhood Il
- n.
hance when a little oHer but if you n
.eep On at this rate. he'll never see tWen- 4
y-one on this farm T. often hearllyou D
omplain that he takes ao Interest in any o.
hing-either in stock ar the growing d
rOps. / think there is good reason. q
Daniel. You don't gre him an interest