American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1878-12-21

seized it, and was just running to hide
it behind an open door near by, when a
rough hand was laid on his shoulder
and voice exclaimed:
"Ye're caught now, you bad boy,
a-stealin' from poor man" ..
"l'm not a thief. It's only Sandy's;
and want to play a joke on him." said
Dick, trying his best to shake off the
woman's hand.
"a joke is itP Well, you're a Young
upstart, any way; and STEALTH is no
joke" Whereupon the old woman
beckoned to a policeman, who came
running across the street and caught
the boy by the arm.
'Nhat's the row." he asked.
"Use the eyes of We and see," said
| she- Hasn't he Sandy pooley's saw
in the hand of him, and didn't catch
him walking off with itP''
al didn't steal it! 1 didn't"
screamed Dick.
The policeman did not heed the boy,
but ruthlessly dragged him away, with
his book-strap and books under his arm.
All the way to the station poor Dick
cried and cried, but it was no use
to tell his story over again, for no one
believed him and the dirty old woman
followed close behind.
When they tried to question the boy
at the station, he sebhed 30 he could not
speak; and the kind-hearted Marshal
| said; ''Let me see those books"
When he saw written in them Richard
Wfnnerton, he smiled, and said; &" Send
for the boys father"
Then the old woman told her story.
evidently glad to be of so much impor-
lance; and herevidence WAS quite over
whelming. ssShe saw the boy take the
saw; and e that wasn't stearrn', what
was itp" While she was still talking the
door opened, and in came Mr.. Winner
ton. who had driven down as fast as
pair of horses could bring him.
Dick nearly shrieked with delight,
and exclaimed; "Oh, Papa, Don't be-
lieve it. L was only fooling, and Sandy
will tell you So"
So Sandy was sent for, and said.
"He was shure, sir. the little gintleman
could mean no harm, for it was always
kind, good word he had ever since he
first began to work for the Squire. And
as for 'pearin' 'gainst him, the likes of
an Guild meddlin' woman like Mother
McQuade might do SO; but he never
could be that mean for bit of q joke"
So the matter was dismissed so far
as the police were concerned, and Dick
went away with his father, too much
heated and flushed and ashamed to at
tend school that day.
1t was some time before Mr.. Winner
ton heard the whole story; and do not
think he blamed Dick very much, al
though he said: "Jokes are bad things,
my dear, even among good friends"
And Dick was very sure his father
wrote a nice excuse to the teacher, al
though he did not see it.
The next morning he intended to
avoid Sandy's corner; but Sandy met
him, and his wife was with him. Evil
IDENTIFY they had been watching for him.
Here ye are now for a gintleman,
and Wen be wanting you to come into
the house when ye come home, for it's
as pretty puppy as We liver laid eyes on
my ole woman has for YOU"
ooh! Sandy, is it all mine?''
"Yours when ye git it, my man,
and Mollie McQuade'n be learning some
day that tellin' tales is no good when
she can't see gintleman's son inside Of
a jacket
Dick went to school buoyant, and the
moment 1t was dismissed away he fiew
to Sandy's cellar for the puppy. 1t was
homely, pug-nosed dog, with rough
bit of leather tied about its throat. But
Dick considered him a beauty. He had
hardly time to think of the surround
ings, he was so eager to get home and
show his prize. Then there was so
much to do. Doggie must have col
lar and a name, to say nothing of
kennel. And Dick was regular boy,
anxious to do every thing at once or to
have it done for him. Atranner that
L. :,i. Ii hi rather wanted to know what
sort of home Sandy had.
"I don't know" said Dick. "You
see, I only wanted the dog. But guess
there's sick man there, and little
girl that isn't Sandy's, cause he said
SO. And Sandy's wife is little bit of
woman"
"Do they seem to have every thing
they needP" asked Mrs. Winnerton.
/" Just think of spending ones days in
cellari''
81 don't know what they have" said
Dick; "only Sands wife put some
bread on the table, and said: That's
the best l can do for you, my man.
And Sandy just sat down to eat it when
1 came away
81 think 1 will CALL" said Mr.. Win
merton, "on my way downtown"
Mr.. Winnerton did call, and found
Mrs. Dooley at home, for she was feed
ing the sick man some oatmeal cruel
when her visitor entered.
"Ah! Mrs. Dooley," said he, 81
want to tell you how much obliged
am for your kindness to my boy"
IS He's a fine boy, your honor"
sHe is very proud of his new pet.
What! have you sick man hereP"
"Yes, your honor. You see he was
a neighbor OF ours; and he was took
down wild the fayver. And so we are
doing the best we can for him."