The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-07-13

room all bD0 morning..
But Tommy still denied the deed,
though the farmer demanded and his
wife implored. Mr.. Pritchard's face
grew ominous.
"I1l give you till noon to tell the
truth" he said, "and then if you don't
confess-why, TIL have nothing to do
with boy who lies. Well ride back to
the ooor-Rouse this very afternoon"
"Oh, Joseph |" said Mrs. Pritchard,
following her husband into the entry.
"He is so little Give him one more
trial"
"Lucy," he said, firmly, "when a
youngster can tell falsehood Like that,
with so calm face, he is ready to tell
them by the dozen. I tell you it's in
the blood. I'll have nothing to do with
boy that tells lies. Perhaps the fear
of going back will bring him to his
senses"
He went out to his work, and Mrs.
Pritchard returned to Tommy, and talked
with him long while very kindly
and persuasively, but all to no effect.
He replied, as often as she asked him,
that he had not touched the gum-drops.
At last she gave ii up, and, with sad mis-
givings, resumed her occupation, while
Tommy went to playing with the cat on
the floor.
At noon Farmer Pritchard came into
the house, and they had dinner. After
dinner he called Tommy to him.
"Tommy," he asked, "did you take
the gum drops?"
"No, I didn't" said Tommy.
every we'll" said the farmer "my
horse is harnessed. Lucy, put the boys
cap on. I shall carry him back to the
poor-house, because he won't tell me the
truth"
"Why, don't want to go back" said
Tommy. very soberly.
But still lie denied taking the gum
drops. Mr.. Pritchard told his wife to
get the boy ready. She cried as she
brought out his little warm coat and cap
and put them on him. But Tommy did
not cry. He comprehended that an in
Justice was done to him, and he knit his
baby brow and held his little lips tight.
The horse was brought round. Mr..
Pritchard came in for the boy. I think
he believed up to the last moment that
Tommy would confess but the little
fellow stood steadfast.
He was lifted into the wagon. Such
little boy he looked as they drove
away. The wind blew cold, and he had
to hold on to his cap. Nothing was said
as they drove along, though Farmer
Pritchard really felt little sorry that he
had gone so far. But he thought to
himself it was best to be firm at the out
set. A week at the poor-house would
bring Tommy to terms. 1t would be a
lesson he would never forget, and then
they would take him back again.
But Tommy had no hope to bear him
up. He only knew that all the happy
life of the past few days was over;
snatched from him suddenly. He
thought of the cold, forlorn house to
which he was returning, and shudderad.
The helpless old women, the jeering
boys, the nights of terror-all these he
thought of. when, with pale face and
blue lips, he was taken down from the
wagon and sent up to the house. Farm
er Pritchard watched him as he went up
the steps, a slow, forlorn little boy. He
went in. The matron came out for an
explanation. It was given, and the farm
er drove away.
He drove home. It was not a pleasant
ride. He missed his little companion;
but he reasoned obdurately within him
self that he had done all for the best.
His wife met him tearfully at the door.
The kitchen looked lonely, as they went
into it together. A top lay in one cor
ner, primer was on the footstool. Mrs.
Pritchard put them out of sight.
The farmer laid fresh stock of gum
drops on his bureau at night, and
thought grimly that these were safe. He
retired early. not knowing what else to
do; but his sleep was broken.
Mrs. Pritchard could not sleep at all.
The tears stole through her closed eye
lids long after the candle was put out
and the house was still. She was thinking
of the poor little boy, even then, per-
haps, covering in his cold bed with
terror. She was usually sound sleeper;
but this night she could not sleep.
Suddenly curious, small sound at
tracted her attention. It was repeated
again and again, and now and then there
was tiny rustic of paper. The sound
came from the bureau She listened in
tently and her heart beat loud with
excitement. She knew that sound well.
"Joseph!" she whispered. "Josepnr"
"What, Lucy2" said her husband, in
a voice that sounded as if he, too, had
been lying awake.
"Do you hear that noise, Joseph 2 It's
mice"
81 know it. What of it9"
cts mice, Joseph, and they're after
your gum-drops."
"Good gracious, Lucy groaned
Farmer Pritchard upon his pillow. It
flashed upon him instantly. He, and
not Tommy, was the sinner. The noise
stopped. The little depredators were
frightened, but soon began again. And
a rare feast they made of it.
It seemed as if that night would never
end. The farmer heard every hour the
clock struck, and at he got up and