The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-07-21
Ii,,le .Rag-Bag's' Revenge.

How are you, LITTLE Rag-Bag2
said one Of q group Of well dresse,
boys as 4 timid child. with patched
clothes, came toward the schoo
house.
The chill walked on Without l.fdng
his eyes.
Il say, how are you, Rag-Bag"
exclaimed Albert Hale again, as ht
went toward the boy, and caught
hold Of his shoulders "Why didnh
you answer me, hey You are look
ing quite spruce this morning for you
not becoming to your title; there
he continued as be thrust his finger
into a thin spot in the knee Of the
child's trousers. aud tore it TO bis
feet-"you look better now
The air rang Within shouts Of the
boys, as the child turned, sobbing, to-
wards home, with his bare leg ex.
posed to the weather
Il guess I have taught the wash
erwomau a lesson this morning to
kec. her rag-bag out Of BroOkdale
Academy, said Albert, as be turned
to-his companic4s. Didn't be cut q
comical figure, though, as he went
biubbering homesn
Three cheers for little Bag-Bag,
shouted another hov
An instant after and the air was
filed with their cheers. The sounds
IN the distance went Ike a dagger
into the poor chHd's heart.
II shan't go to school any more,
mother" sobbed Walter Brooks, as
be entered his mothers humble kitch-
en-. aSee what Albert Hale did, just
because the teacher said 7 was getting
ahead Of him in arithmetic, after you
sat up half the night to mend my
clothes. It is too bad But III pay
him for it when I'm q man, you see if
[ don't, mother"
"Walter, it is wrong to cultivate q
spirit Of revenge, sadly replied the
widow.
30, if I was only man nowl Bat,
mother, I'm going TO start for Boston
and go to work; I've been
thinking that 1 am big enough to take
care Of myself
A delicate, slender boy Of twelve,
like yourself, Walter, work; nobody
would employ you-'
YES, they will, for III keep going
until | find somebody who wants q
boy. I'm going first, to see Mr.
Brown, the man who visited our
school, and praised me so; and I'm
going to tell him just how the schol-
ars treat me and perhaps be viii hire
me to take care Of his Office Then,
mother, I'll read his books. and be a
LAWYER, and get rich, and build big
house for you. Only think Of it,
mother!" And the child's eyes spar
kIed with delight at the idea
The mother replied to her chIld's
enthusiasm By q sad smile.
1t was the winter of IS. Money
was scarce among business men, and
bread was scarce among poor men.
One morning the papers announced
that Albert Hale & Co., one Of the
largest firms Of Now York city, had
payment.
The day following, G yourg man, a
entered their store, and in
quired into their liabilities, the
amount of stock they had on hand,
&c, stating that be had some money
be would invest, on good security, If
be could accommodate them by do
ing it.
Mr.. Hale the head partner Of the
firm, opened bis eyes il astohish-
ment.
why, sir" he replied, eve have
-ried for weeks to raise money on our
stock, by Offering thousands of dol
ars bonus; but money can't be had
n The city. Just now, at any price.
If you could relieve Us of our pre-
SEM embarrassments, we could return
7ouF money il q few weeks with a
leavy percentage"
Il am happy 10 say" replied the
stranger, that 1 have it in my pow
er to help you, and viii cheerfullY do
20.
Mr. Hale, with tears in bis eyes,
yrasped bis hand and said:
ITO whom am | indebted for this
let of kinkness."
Don't you know me-" asked the
stranger, as be fixed his eyes upon
lin.
"If we ever net befors, your fea-
ures have passed from me-"
Il know you very well, Mr.. Hale.
Don't you remember the little boy
Who went to Brookdale Academy,
whom you used to call the Rag-Bag?
The last time you saw him, you tore
lis pantaIoons from the knee to the
mike, and he went home to his poor
mother / was that boy; and | have
low come all the way from Boston to
,btain my revenge" p"
Hale turned ghastly pale, as he
Iuried his face in his hands, and sob
,ed ike a child
Il cannot-no-I VIII not touch
he money"
"Yes, you viii, " replied Walter, as
le extended his hand in a friendly
"and from this time, / viii
orget the past, aad We win be friends
yes, friends who viii lend each
,ther a helping hand. But, Mr.. Hale,
ct me add, if you have children,
each them BY what you have learn
d of MY experience, to be kind to the
,oor."
That evening the papers annouuc-
d that Albert Hale & Co., would be
bile, in few days, to meet all their
liabilities.
Az eccentric old fellow, who lives
longside of graveyard, was asked
it was not an unpleasant location.
No said be, / never iined places
q ny life with set of neighbors
hat minded their OWE business so
tiddy as they do"