Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1873-04-10

said Johnny, without stopping, yet
slackening his pace. "He ought to
have known better than to come In. If
stop they'll all see me and make fun
of my clothes; and I don't know as 1
could help him any. I'll go in and get a
seat; if don't, perhaps won't get one
at ALL
Johnny knew better than that, but he
was trying to find a good excuse for not
helping the lad in Distress
He could not quite ease his con-
science, however.
81 wish I knew whether I ought to
stop and help him." he unused. They'll
get all his apples. I can see dozen
boys who each have one. wish knew
what to do
Just as if he didn't know.
He took another step toward the
school-house-a slow and hesitating
step then he turned quicker than a
flash. His mothers words: Decide
for yourself, my son, )" had come to him,
and qui cker than their coming was the
decision that followed:
"I'll help him p
The noisy group of boys had entirely
surrounded the little peddler, who had
fallen fiat ON the snow, with his basket
under him, vainly striving to save his
stock in trade but Johnny did not think
| then of superior numbers. He was
stout and active, and better than all else,
he was in tbe light.
Johnny pushed the boys right and left,
and reached the frightened apple
vender.
Keep away" he shouted, taking a
firm stand over the PROSTATE lad.
Don't you dare to touch another
apple p
His sudden appearance took the boys
by surprise, and they fell back. Con-
scious guilt, too, had some share in their
prompt obedience. But they were not
shamed into civility, for they greeted
Johnny with insulting words.
sob, no here's Sam Patch Patchey!
Patchey SO you want finger in the
pie, do you, Patchey?'
At this trying moment, gentleman,
| who, unknown to the boys, had witness
ed the whole affair, stepped up and said
to Johnny:
"Nobly done, my lad I shall not
forget you.
/
tied the boys and when they looked up,
and some of them recognized the new
teacher, you may guess that they wished
themselves anywhere but there. They
dropped their heads at his stern re-
buke:
Sc 1 am extremely sorry to find so many
of my pupils guilty of such cowardly
and disgraceful conduct" said the
teacher. ct is not only shameful
but wicked You have abused and
frightened a poor, trusting lad, who
came here thinking to turn an honest
penny, but you have stolen his wares
stolen them. / shall exact from you
restitution to the last farthing. One
| thing more heard some very insult
ing words toward one of your number
Rest assured that repetition of that
will surely bring the punishment it de
| serves"
One by one the boys skunk away like
whipped dogs, and Johnny went into the
school-room with the master
Johnny was very happy when he went
home that night-for he had found favor
with the new teacher. He had so much
to tell his mother, and was so eager fo1
the morning to come.
But he had found something else
jewel beyond all price he had found
that the right way is the best way. Nc
matter how crossing it may seem to you
nor how pleasant and alluring the othel
way may look, always decide as Johnn,
did that day, for the right, and you viii
find lasting happiness, compared tt
which the momentary pleasures of Sill
are nothing. Will you try it ?-.School
daY Magazine.