Northern Ohio journal. [volume] (Painesville, Ohio) 1872-1896, 1874-03-28
JOE DEr ,tTNrNr

was probably the most appropriate
Franks mother had been very particu-
lar In her teachings and had always inn
pressed upon his mind the value of no
llteness, and the requirements of re-
fined society, and although, Frank with
the rest was sometimes little slangy. he
was never guilty of using any profane
or vulgar language, or calling gentle
man by any other than his proper name.
still, he was not a little vexed and cha
grlned that the ball he had taken so
much comfort with, and about which he
had built SO many bright anticipations
should have come into tie possession of
the so-called crossest man in the county.
Mother will call it careless,' he said
TO his companions, 'and that's the word
for it, of course; still, L hadn't the least
idea that the fellow would bounce so far.
| might as well give it up suppose: be-
cause 1t Is no ways likely that Squire
Earl will let me look for it,
After some demurring the bows seated
themselves by the side of high fence.
which separated the Squire's possessions
from his neighbors, and prepared to
look the matter squarely in the face.
ii L don t believe but what we can steal
IN, and hunt for it!' suggested JoseyCar-
ter.
Z 'I'll tell you what;' said Ralph Ellis.
1've hit it! Lets kill his old dog, lbs
nuisance anyhow; my father keeps
strychnIne for killing rats; and / can
get hold ofenough to put the squeak out
of that old brute OF Earl's.'
oh, pshawn interrupted Frank.
that's no way to do business. There's
one thing | never mean to do if [ can
help1t-cut up any capers that will keep
me from looking man straight i'm the
face! and Pm mighty sure that if /
wlnked at numbering that poor, inno-
cent brute! l should feel like skulking
every time L was compelled to pass the
Squire in the street, No bows. no: I'd
do most anything that was decent to get
my ball-because l can't have another
but nothing mean, boys nothing mean.
III tell you what'-jumping np. as a
bright thoughtstruck him.
am just going around to SQUIRE
Earl's front door, and ring his bell. and
ask to be allowed to hunt for my ball. LII
he won't let newly then he'll have
moro to be ashamed of when he meets his
God than shall-that't ALL and off he
started.
'The old fool will slam the door in his
face ;that's all that will amount to % said
w
friend out of sight.
Frank presented himself at the mas
sive front door and rang the bell with a
wildly palipitating heart. He knew he
was right-and was determined not to
back down until he had assured himself
that the Squire was deaf and dumb to
moral suasion. FIVE minutes eIapsed
before the door swung back and there
appeared an old colored man. who.
without word. admitted our little
friend, leading the way through a long
hall and parlOr into an ont of the way
niche, where the master of the house.
surrounded by books and pictures, sat,
evidently waiting tor somebody. Good
morning, Squire Earl y said Frank bow
ing politely and removing his hat.
i have been very unfortunate in los
ing my ball III your garden, and have
called to see if you would be kind enough
to allow me to look for it. 1t is a splen-
did, great ball Squire, one that nv
mother gave me, and hate SO to lose
itn continued the brave fellow his face
flushing as he spoke.
Don't you know, SIR inquired the
rich men shaking his long grey beard
that am the crossest and meanest man
in the county?'
SO l have heard. replied the brave
boy unflinchingly. But have never
injured you-and L thought perhaps you
might not be as cross as folks say
Then you gave me the benefit of the
doubt; very kind of you, my boy; what
business had you to throw your ball
with such force as to intrude OH my
grounds, that question | should like to
have answered. sir:' and the Squire
leaned back-and pulled away at his
long whiskers looking Frank searching
ly in the face the whole time.
That's asking boy little too much.
upon my word, Squire, l should never
have pitched so hard in your direction,
if had known what would come of il.
We boys, are all afraid of you-but L
thought the best way was to come and
ask you to let me look after it-mav II,
For a moment the Squire shaded his face
with his hands-then he arose and
walked to the window, as if to conceal
some emotion he was ashamed to have
seen-Frank waited respectfully, in per-
feet silence, finally the Squire turned
quickly and said:
Open the drawer at your right hand.'
Frank did as he was bid; and to his
utter surprise found his ball tucked
away in one corner as if it had ALWAYS
been there.
why this is my ball, Squire Earl
Yes, suppose so;' replied the host
May l take it?' inquired Frank who
had not laid a finger on the fondly cher
ished plaything.
1T is yours, isn't it
why yes sir, | am sure it is mine.'
well, then take it; and thank EGod
you haven't lived to my age to learn a
lesson from boy. l heard your con-
versation with your companions on the
other side of the fence aud tell you
Frank Akers, you have done me good
used to know your mother well and
shall call to see YOU both this evening.
if she will allow me- When Frank
bade the Squire goodbye, the hand
which held his trembled with emotion.
keep your frankness, and truthful
ness, my boy-clear and unspotted. [
say again you have done me good-God
bless you Frank could not join his
companions. His heart was too full
and he wanted to tell his mother all
about it. She. only, could sympathize
with him In this victory. What was his
surprise to find as he proceeded with his
story that his mother was affected to
tears but they seemed to him tears of
jay instead of sorrow. tsWhy did you
never tell me mother that you were ac-
quainted with Squire Earl he inquired
at the conclusion of his story.
Because my dear, it involved partic-
ulars which was unprepared to furnish
in fact, could not bear to speak about
replied Mrs. Akers, wiping away the
tears, and going blithely about her
work.
That morning the Squire called-and
as true as | live. Frank Akers calls thar
man Father to-day-and kind loving
parent he makes, too.
SO much for honesty and courage and
so much for romance.