Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-09-01

it has been hard work lor mother 10 yet
along. The town helps her some, but it
is not enough since she's been sick. Kate
l. too little TO do anything. and since the
mill stopped haven't had any work, and
and L"
Here Peter paused moment in distress
and confusion.
"And YOU were tempted 10 steal p
sail Mr.. SeagrAvc.
IL knew i, WAS wrong. | wish |
hadn't l."
"lIow did you got in the house? ? Every
door was locked" said George.
al didn't mean TO-" Sail Peter. Il
came 10 The door 10 ask Tor Il little TODD
for mother and Kate. Ill there had been
any one in the kitchen. and il the window
hadn't been leIL open. | shouldn't have
got in. rm sorry !"
"lluw did yuu know there WAS food in
The pantry. and how To get there ?" in
qiired Mr. Sea:rivc pleasantly.
IL knocked. aud there didu', any body
come Then lookcd ia al tho window,
To see who could see; bat there wasn't
any one there. IL w.t5 open u lilLlt, aud
| crawled in. because could SEQ on
Shelf there" pointing 10 tho pantry,
there was such nice cake aud bread. So
many good things! How mother would
ircl if she knew Ia been stealth. !"
"You say the mill has stopped. and you
can't get work. II you really want TO bc
m honest boy. mud help your mother,
you may come and pick pears. and do
light work for me lor n short time" said
Mr. SeaSravc.
"Oh. | should bc SO glad and I'll pay
you for what I've eaten" cried Peter,
JOY yfully,
Mr.. Soagtave smiled.
IN give you fifty cents day ii you
work well. and MI tho food you want.
Tell your mother just what a scrape you
have been in. a nj never touch n thing
again that isn't your own. /! you want
work. YOU may come tomurow."
Thank you, thank you. sir. You arc
very kind. | shall certainly come"
And with brigh, face and low bow
Peter departed.
81 wonder if we shall see Peter 10.
morrow" remarked Mrs. Seasr1ve, hope.
fully. There are thousands Of boys and
youth all over The country who are thicv.
ing and vicious, because surrounded by
adverse circumstances. This Peter looks
aS il he would Lc honest and well disposed
when not pressed by necessity. Cold and
hunger arc hard tcmpIers."
al wish something could be done for
his sick mother and little sister" put in
Julia "Oh. dear, how heightened |
wasl'
That's the way with girls. told
Julia III take care OF her; but she was rs
wild as q hunted deer said George in u
tantalizins tone.
alt required II good deal of courage Tor
n little girl to be Il alone You wcro
very brave. julia" said her mother.
Atavcry early hour the next morning
Peter appeared. anxious to begin his day 5
work. Mr.. Scasrave had small piece
of land adjoining his house. filed with
choice trees. and some of them were
loaded with fruit. TO assist John in
gathering apple and pears WAS The duty
assigned him. Juhn. tho coachman and
gardener, was n man Of argus eyes. stern
and keen. and not very favorAbly disposed
towards the new conner. lis was man
of strict integrity. and with sense OF
Justice, 50 that. strong rs wero his prcju.
diccs againt pcior, when he bchcld him
quick and faithful in the execution vi u.s
commands, his closely. knitted brows
began to relax very perceptibly.
"Well, that fellow is handy. must
say il. Ii anybody can make anything
out of him. lis these Sengraves." was his
mental ejaculation. ''A!ler all. anybody
might steal. il cold and hungry: aud he
eally looks rs if he wanted to DO honest" "
When Peters days work Was over.
John handed him fifty cents. which Mr..
Scagrnvc had given him
Peter drew back.
II can't tako any pay Tor to-day's
work." he said decidedly. Give it back
to Mr, Scagravc. 10 pay for what took
from the pantry last night. | wantto be
all square with him.
"As you please said John kindly.
you've worked with sons0. md holped
mo finely. You may come 10 morro".
Peter started for homo with bound
ing heart. aud light. elastic step II
had been a glad day for him. lIu did no,
expect to find it so easy 10 please John,
and he was gra,ilicd with his commcnda'
tion.
Mrs. Seagravc had givcn him largo
basket Of nice food for his mother and
Kate.
A CLEAN Of sunshine was sti Gaming In
lovingly over the darkness of his life OF
poverty and want.
~ days work. he thought. "wi!l
make all square with MIR. Seagravc.
lie could now look him fairly in The
face, and proud self respect began TO
animate him. When John returned the