The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1876-09-28
PUNCTUAL PETER.

II wonder who he isl" said Mr..
Campbell, as he sat rubbing some jewel
~ for he was a matchmaker and ieweler,
in his shop one day. Whoever he is,
be has the making of man in him. He
goes tick, tick, like a chronometer. I
pull down my shutters and say good
morning > he puts up his pleasant face
and says, Good morning, sir and as
soon as the shine of the bottles in the
druggists window falls on his cap, boom
goes St. Dustan clock-One, two, three,
four, five, six, seven! That lads a
brick. and must have a little talk with
him"
One day, as Peter was passing Mr..
CampbelPs shop door, one of his mas
ters shopmen met him, and said, with a
sheer, Well, Mr.. Punky, you're a
sneaking little monkey" for he and the
other fellows in Mr.. Dalkeith's employ
were jealous of the lad who had won the
masters favor, and who was praised and
rewarded, while they were scOlded for
Iateness and laziness, and then with a
loud laugh at his own wit, the shopman
pressed on.
Mr.. Campbell, who heard it, was out
Of. the shop in moment, and reckoning
Peter, said, Excuse me, master Punky,
you pass my shop so regular that feel
| should like to make your acquian-
lance"
my name is not Punky," said Peter,
bushing " It's Peter McOwan, sir, and
I'm an apprentice with Mr.. Dalkeith,
the druggist"
Not Punky? Then I beg your par
don; but I thought I heard the young
man who has just passed call you by
that name"
"Oh, " said Peter, with deeper blush,
that's a nickname the fellows give me
in our shop; but" said he, with a laugh,
" dinna mind it."
Punky, Punky? Why, whatever
does it mean?" said the jeweler.
Why" quoth Peter, looking into
Mr.. CAmpbelPs face with an open, in
genious smile, 81 always try to be at
the shop exactly at the time, an so they
began by calling me 'Punctual Peter,
but l suppose they thought that was
over long, and so they've cut it short to
Punky." And neither Peter nor his
nearer could help, laughing as he said
this. In the course of conversation the
Kindly old gentleman extracted from
the youth all the history of his fathers
death, his mothers hard struggle for
bread, and how he was trying to earn
Ills own Livelihood, and hoped by-and-by
10 keep his "dear mither," 50 that she
should not have to work any more. Mr..
ampbell then shook him warmly by
The hand and, making him promise to
give him a call now and then, babe him
good evening.
"Punky," said Mr.. Campbell to him
Sett as he sat in his snug little sitting
room all alone, except for tavorite cat
winch was perched sleepily on his knee,
Ior he was cosy old bachelor. " Yes,
r0nEy's the boy for my money" and
we old man rubbed his handsand strOked
my cat and smiled as though he had got
4oId of bright idea. On the following
sunday evening just as the little clock
lothe widows kitchen was striking seven,
@a' Peter and his mother were reading
'lle story in the good book which begins
Now Peter and John went up to the
temple at the hour of prayer" there was
a. Knock at the door and when Peter
went to open it man put small pack
%se IN his hand, saying "TemPos FUgH "
mas sent this, and went of in a moment
without another word. The packet was
Instantly opened and two small parcels
appeared; on the one was written " For
Punky's mother" and when the paper
was unwrapped, 10 ten golden sover-
e'gns cleaned and smiled at them as If
'aey knew how welcome they were to the
poor toiling widow. The other parcel