The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-11-05
CRAY 1HoRNIOA's CHEsTnuTs.

WYNN AZ A"ASAOu sAot uc saw SVIu0 O0C
gliding stealthily through the sunder7
brush as though seeking to avoid obser-
walton. He stopped and looked more
closely; but now there was not so much
as the rustic Of leaf to betrav the
presence Of another. He turned into :
narrow foot path, and at that moment
boy sprang up from behind clump Of
bushes.
"Ts this you, Crayl" he exclaimed.
"What on earth are you here for at
this time of day, and what have you got
in your bag?"
sI'm going home, and I've got chest
nuts in my bag" was the reply.
''But thought the chestnuts were
all gone. -
"They be. They was most gone when
began to pick. But Mr. Oliver said l
might have what was left; and so I've
been in the woods every day this week.
I've got every one there was.
Cali right. But what made you
skulk along soi''
because -because-I was afraid
somebody'd see me, and tell father. If
they should, he'd sell them for rum.
There don't nobody know, only mother.
You won't tell; will you, Mr.. Weston!"
''Not a word. Cray. You needn't be
afraid of my getting you into trouble.
What have you done with your chest
nutsi''
"Mother hid them somewhere, and,
when Mr.. Waters comes along, she is,
going to buy me some shoes with them.
| haven't got any shoes.
$50 that it. Well, you need the.
shoes; and, if you don't have quite
enough, tell Waters I'll make it up.
He'll trust me, if | do get drunk once
in awhile
20, Mr.. Weston! I wish you didn't.
You'd be so good fyou didn' t; and per.
haps father'd be good too, if he didn't
drink rum"
"He ought to, with such boy as you
are. If my Jimmy and his mother had
lived, should have been different from
what I be now.'' As he said this, Mr..
Weston brushed the tears from his
eyes. 'You won't meet your father
tonight. He's got some money to
spend before he'll come home; so hurry
along to your mother, and good luck TO
you BOTH
The speaker was one Of those men
who are usually described as ''good-
hearted, kind and generous" He had
true Yankee genius for the Yankee
trade of tinkering, and wherever ne
might 60, was reasonably sure of being
welcomed as tina. very person whose
presence was most desired. He might
have been rich; and yet ne was poor,
living in bit Of house on the further
edge Of the wood.
After he parted from Cray Thornton
he walked slowly and irresolutely; some
times stopping for moment, as he
thought sadly of his wasted life. He
was never ill.natured or quarrelsone,
and he was his own worst enemy; and
this he knew SO well that he needed
not to be reminded of the fact.
A week had passed when he saw
Cray Thornton father pass the miser--
able GROCERY which, by compliment
was called the corner store.'' He
quickened his steps, and rushed in just
in time to see the bag Of chestnuts car
ried by Mr.. Thornton poured into a
half-bushel measure.
''Hold on, thcre!!'' he exclaimed.
"Them chestnuts are stolen property,
and | can prove it. I've done some
mean things in the way of drinking,
but l never got so bad as to steal from
boy. Thornton stole them from
Cray. know he did; and if there
ain enough here to see fair play it's
pity. Cray hasn't got pair of shoes
to his feet, and he picked them chest
nuts one by one, after everybody else
got through. Thornton, you're a
brute, if you sell them for liquor.
never abused my boy; and if he'd lived
he shouldn't have gone barefoot such
weather as this. If you've got human
feelings you'll stop drinking, and take
care Of your family.
you're fine fellow to preach was
responded sneeringly, '1'll quit drink
ing when you do
''Take your oath on that e.
Eyes; I'll quit when you do
"Then, here goes-i'll never taste an
other drop Of liquor while l live. So
help me, God"
With his right hand still uplifted,
Mr.. Weston regarded his companion
with fixed look, until the latter. as
moved by sudden impulse, raised his
own hand, and repeated the very words
have transcribed: $50 help me, God
Once, and again. was this adjuration Ut.
tered, reverently and solemnly.
81 will take back Cray's chestnuts,''
then said the father, in a husky voice.
Without hesitation or remonstrance,
they were returned to him. The spec
tators were awe-struck by what had oc--
Cured, and the silence, oppressive
though it was, remained unbroken.
Mr.. Thornton left the store, followed
close by his friend. They, too, we're
silent. 1t was ne time for talking; but
from that day there was plenty in two.
homes where had been fear and wretch
edness.
Cray Thornton's chestnuts we're like
priceless gems-the ransom Of two souls
from the thraldom Of drunkard's ap--