The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1875-07-22
[From Hearth and Home.l
My Heather.
BY NJ. QUAD.

Inc OGQer Qay was reaulnS ION =
newspaper article about the moral inn
provement of the heathens in Africa, and
the pressing need of more money to carry
on the good work. Having half an hour
to spare, sat down on the Postofice
steps, put my foot on bootblack's box,
and while he used his brush l asked:
my son, did you ever hear of heaven p
That's where the rich men go, amt
! it?' he inquired in reply.
do you know what sort of place it
is?' continued.
Its bully place, guessl Bill Kydd
told me that there were circuses every
day, and a feller walked in free, and
there was apples and peanuts and candy
all around, and every feller has good
clothes and all the tobacco he wanted. "
MY son, did you ever hear of Adam
and Ever"
AdameveY he mused, holding the
backing box within an inch of his mouth
and just ready to spit-':less see? Was
| he the feller that the high Masons buried
the other day?'
! waited until he was working around
toward the heel of my boot, and then
asked:
Can you read?'
"You betP'
did you ever read the Bible?"
No; but I've read nine dime novels
clean through, and I'm going to buy an
other tonight
do you know what Bible is p
"Yes-it's sunthin' that preachers read
out Of"
While he was finishing off the heel l
asked:
You know that you must die some
day? p
~ won't have to if l take the doctor
medicine, will I?'
"Yes, every human being must die
some day"
Gosh, that's meanP' he exclaimed,
| leaning back, and giving me sharp look,
| "And what will become of you when
| you die?" l asked as he worked the
brush into the backing
"Be put in coffin.
What elseY'
| Buried"
What else?"
"And then I'll rotp'
my boy, didn't any one ever tell you
that you had soul?
He looked at the soles of my dilapida
ted shoes, shook his head, and answered
"Ye want to git some joke on me!'
Don't you know that you have a soul
to saver
"Oh, go along!'
He looked straight into my eyes for
half minute, then moistened the black
ing, and went over the boot with the fin
ishing coat?
Didn't any one ever tell you" 1 final
ly continued, that there is hereafterT
"After whereY
THAT the good shall be rewarded, and
the wicked punished p
"Noap."
"Wouldn't you like to go to HEAVIER
when you dieY
How could 1? How could they draw
feller up thereY'
my son, every one has soul. You
have soul, and.
"Bullyl Where is itl' he exclaimed
dropping his brush.
"Right here-here in your BOSOM"
He pulled off his old ragged vest anc
his dusty, ragged shirt, and glanced
down. Then he looked up at me with
suspicious look. picked up his brushes
and set to work on my other boot with
out word in reply. He felt that l haC
deceived him.
Would you like to be an angelo"
asked, after while.
81 couldn't bel han't grill" he re
piled. II seen over forty angels in the
, Black Crook, and all was girls!
"If you live good life you can som
day be an angel You must not swear
; or cheat, or lie"
Would have wings on2''
Eyes"
Gould fly over a houseY'
"Yes"
t "That 'ud be kinder nice" he slowl
E replied; "better'n catching ride on tn
! ! bob-tailed cars or climbing treew
There was a pause, broken after me
Z ment by leaning back and saying:
j "If feller was an angel and fyin
e around would any of the boys dare shy
j, rock at him?
o az guess not"
Because Bill Knox is down on m,
and he'd be throwing at me all the time
My dog licked his dog, and he says b
can lick me-
If Don't you know that it is wicked
e fight dogs?'
IS "Nawl 'Taint wicked, is it, when yor
IS dog licks p
"Boys who fight each other will new
become angels" said as he bent to h
work again.
"Wall, l aint going to stand sass, a
I2' he retorted. "Sposen TELLER call,
you names and hit you in the bacl
re Wouldn't you maui him?'
ie He had nearly finished the second bo
W when l asked:
a. Wouldn't you like to 60 to Sunds
g. schoolp
to what fur2" he replied.
he "To learn how to be good"
I'D "When is Sunday-schoolY
~ "On Sunday"
II guess l couldn't go-I want to bo
the depot and see them unload the {
cus I"