Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-04-20
THE FIRST LIE.

HARRY, run down to Kelley's and get
think it will be fifteen cents; but here
are twenty-they may be ten cents
apiece"
harry Cloud took the money and ran
on the errand, bright and happy as he al
ways was.
4 always buy my thread by the box or
dozen, SO l do not know the price of sin
gle spool or two" Mrs Cloud remarked
to a friend, as she resumed her sewing
In short time Harry came in, threw
the thread into his mothers lap and
turned to go out.
1.-THE money was right?" questioned
Mrs. Cloud
Harry gave nod and went out to his
play.
What was the matter?
He could not strike a ball and make
good hit, and forgot when his turn came
the idea of boy forgetting to watch the
ball-he was the champion player of the
neigh borhood, too.
His companions remarked his absent
mindedness and wondered at it.
At the supper table his cheerful voice
and bright sallies were sadly missed.
"What is the matter, Harry? Any
thing gone wrong at school?" his father
asked.
"No, sir" Harry replied, startled half
out of his chair.
"Are you sick?" inquired his mother,
who had been busy with the tea, and had
not noticed his melancholy face before.
Harry's eyes dropped; those eyes usu-
ally so frank and true.
"No'm," he replied, leaving the table
soon after.
The parents questioned each other with
out light
Harry tried to study. He grew more and
more uneasy. His mother watched and
grew more alarmed.
When faithful Chloe came in to re-
plenish the coal in the CRATE, she stood
moment with her arms akimbo looking
at Harry.
He knew her gaze was upon him, and
ne flushed and paled alternately.
dat chile has taken asebere coI', OATS
wots de matter; he had better hab his feet
soaked an flannel wet in turpentine
round his neck fore eber he lays his head
down, else you'll be called up wild Group
or 'tremens."
Harry was favorite from baby, and
nothing was trouble that was done for
him.
II do not need it, good Chloe; I haven't
a cold or trenaens, hope" And Harry
smiled for the first time that evening
Chloe muttered something about put
ting off sending for doctor too long, as
she went back to her kitchen.
Harry sat for some time with his gram
mar wrong side up, and did not know it
but his mother saw the back of it, and
knew Harry must be very much out ofhis
usual self to do such thing as that.
After another restless half hour he put
his books together in his usual orderly
manner.
Goodnight, papa" he said, trying to
assume his cheerfulness.
od-night; you are leaving us early"
Mr.. Cloud resumed his paper.
Not so the mother.
She dropped her work in her lap, her
eyes followed her unhappy boy. When
he kissed her he whispered,
Come to my room.'
She followed silently
As soon as the door was closed Harry
threw his arms around his mammals neck
and exclaimed:
ooh, cannot live this way"
Mrs. Cloud looked alarmed.
81 have deceived you, mamma; made
you believe lie.''
"What is it? Tell me all, Harry. I
thought there was something wrong" re-
| piled Mrs. Cloud, tearfully.
1T seems such little thing, yet how
it has distressed me. | felt as though a
great weight hung upon my heart, it is so
| heavy. The thread, you know, mamma,