Northern Ohio journal. [volume] (Painesville, Ohio) 1872-1896, 1874-02-21
WHOLE NO. 1877.

said, 'and get into the car, and tell the
conductor where you live, and he'll let
you out at the nearest street. and then
you will be all right; you and the little
boy can find your way then. L guess
THANK you, marin; Pm very much
Obliged answered Dick, politely !;
whereupon the lady laughed, and pat
ted her cheek and walked on.
Come, Joe;' said the little girl, don't
cry; babies cry; I've got some car tick
cts, and we're going home, now.'
This news seemed to cheer up poor
Joe, for he wiped his eyes on the sleeve
of his jacket, and took hold of Dicks
hand as though he had perfect conf
dence in her ability to take her home.
All would have gone we'll, now, and
the two runaways might have reached
home before dark, but, as they walked
along, looking in all the shop windows
as they went, they happened to brush
up against tall, well-dressed China
man; perhaps he was rich merchant,
for his clothes were very handsome.
Dick did not notice his clothes, how
ever; she only noticed his long queue
hanging down behind; the spirit of
mischief never failed within her: she
caught hold of it, like little Tom-boy
as she was, and gave it a sharp pull.
She did not wait to see what he
thought or said but dashed across the
street, through an alley and down an
other street, before Joe quite realized
that she was gone.
He did realize, however, that the CHI
naman was very angry, for he caught
hold of the collar of his jacket, and gave
him sound drubbing, in spite of his
sObbing prOtestations that it wasn't him.
a fnr
looked around for Dick, but she was no
where to be seen, being three or four
blocks away by that time; and, as he
had the tickets, he couldn't think of
anything better to do than to get on the
car and go home; which he accordingly
did; and his mother, who was just anx-
ious enough to be very much provoked,
gave him another drubbing, by way OF
mate for the Chinaman's.
At first, Dick walked along, singing
softly to herself; thing she was rather
glad to be rid of Joe and his tears, and
felt free and happy, without him.
She found a fine mud-puddle, too, and
two little boys playing by it, who didn't
understand mud-pie making half as well
as herself, so she offered to help them
an offer which was gladly accepted.
They were delighted with her, and
she with them. and they played very
gaily until their mother called them in
to supper.
Then Dick began to feel rather strange
| and lonely; she was hungry and tired,
and it was dark; she wondered if she
would eversfind the little home, or ever
see her mother, and father, and big
brother again. Somehow, the courage
| dropped in the brave little heart, and
as 1t got darker and darker, she got sad
<ln Il Il
face against wall and began to sob bit
terly.
Nobody noticed her for a while; but
| at last a gentleman stopped, and said,
SWhat's the matter, my little grip
! Il want my mother,' sobbed the little
Tom-boy-Tom-boy no longer!
Where is your mother, dear?'
SHome!'
'Where is your homer he asked.
She told him.
'Why!' said he, Il live pretty near
| there, myself; come with me, and I'll
take you to your mother.'
please dop said Dick, wiping her
eyes; 'I'll never run away again, if you
| WILL
The gentleman took her hand, and
led her along with him.
| $50 you ran away, did you?' he said.
4CS, ais Ci Gu blCh, lIl d very SUD-
dued tone, quite unlike herself, Il
played hockey with Joe Lewis, and
went to fire.
My soul!' cried the gentleman, laugh
ing until the tears came in his eyes,
.What little mite. You are, to do such
dreadful things!'
'I'll never do it again. said Dick, SOL
emnly, never, never, neverp
When the gentleman rang the bell,
Mary came to the door, looking very
| anxious, although she often told Dick
that she was the torment of her'loife.'
Have you lost a little girl, here p
asked he. H.r
'Indade we have. sir, she answered.
ooh Mary!' cried Dick, 'I'll never do
it again.
Then Mary screamed for jov, ana the
pale mother came out, and by-and-by
the father and big brother came in, and
such rejoicings were held over the little
Tom-boy as never had been heard of be-
fore. a .
Poor Joe almost cried when Dick told
him that she didn't get whipping at
all, but sat up until ten O'Clock, aud had
four doughnuts; he wishes he was n
girl, and thinks there must be guardian
angels always watching Tom-boys.