The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-04-03
Maud Pennyteather's Ambition.

It was an exhilarating spectacle that
the people of Chepachet beheld one
January afternoon the picture Of a
grown man pulling and tugging small
boy along Main street. The man was
Mr. John Denike; the boy. Terry Nc
Guire. Of the righteousness Of the
scene Mr.. Denike was not unconscious.
His face was red, and wore an express
sion of mingled vindictiveness and
shame. To add to his discontinue, a
young lady, coming in an opposite di-
rection, checked her steps as she OBJ
served his plight, and then stopped in
his way.
The boy promptly began to howl.
"Oh, Miss Pen'festher y he piteous-
ly cried, she's taking nee to the Jug"
"Why, Terry" she exclaimed in a
tone of reproach, "what is the matter p
Denike had stopped. but still held the
boy, who was crying with all his might
and main.
The lady looked inquiringly from
Terry to the gentleman. -
The latter bowed, acknowledging the
lup1t0A HuCoblOAs.
"The boy has been trying to pick my
pockets, he said; "and I'm going to
make an example of him." Then he
added. care you particularly interest
ed in him ?"
"He is one of my Sunday school
scholars" she said, quietly.
John Denike shrugged his shoulders,
and the girl saw and resented the mo-
ton.
"You mean he doesn't do credit to
my teaching" she said, hotly ; II don't
suppose he does. have him just one
hour in the week. You expect that I
should offset that against the one hun.
dred and sixty-seven, when he is under
other influences.
John felt uncomfortable. This en-
phatic young person was certainly not
afraid to speak her mind. He looked
down at the boy.
evil you ever steal anything again ?"
he asked. The child could hardly
speak through his tears.
"No, I won't" he cried, eff you'll
le' me Co."
John loosed his hold, and the boy did
not wait for permission. In breath he
was around the corner and out Of sight.
The young lady bowed gravely. "Thank
YOU very much" she said. John
stepped aside, raised his hat, and in a
moment she too was gone.
He half smiled to himself as he went
on his way, Indeed he was rather re-
ieved. It had been an episode, and the
girl was certainly bright and pretty.
He put his hand in his pocket and drew
it out with an air of satisfaction. The
handkerchief was there. It occurred to
him that he might also confirm the
safety of his pooket-book. he felt in
the opposite pocket-and felt in vain.
The pocket book was gone. He stopped
short in the street and ground his teeth.
I am afraid his thoughts we're not strict.
" evangelical. ."The little beast p he
exclaimed with angry emphasis. "There
was at least thirty dollars in it-and
Nellie's picture, besidep" and then re-
GREETING his folly in letting the boy 60,
and wondering if it would be any use to
seek the police, he turned slowly toward
his home.
Miss Pennyfeather, as she went on her
way, was scarcely less Disguised than
Denike himself, without knowing as yet
the. depth of Terry's turpitude. She
could not deny that his conduct was the
saddest kind of commentary on her
teaching. Fancy her added annoyance,
when on going to Sunday school the
next day, she detected Terry Mcclure
exhibiting to the other boys pocket
book which she knew could not be his,
and which, under compulsion, he tear
fully confessed to have stolen from the
gentleman the day. before. Miss Penny
feather appropriated the pocket-book.
There were papers in it, q photograph
of wonderfully pretty girl, but not a
cent of money.
"Where is the money, Terry?" she
asked, imperatively.
The boy blubbered. He knew Miss
Pennyfeather too well to attempt any
denial. -
"I took it out" he cried.
Glow much wcs it 2"
"Do'no," sullenly.
"Yes you do, Terry" emphatically.
There vas q minute;s silence
"Come, Terry, you might as well tell
me-"
Another pause.
+ "Terry MCGUIRE"
The boy fairly jumped.
"There was five dollars, he STAN
mered.
"Any more p
l"There was ten dollars in anothe,
place. - - --
"How much more, Terryr
The boy looked up at Miss Penny
feather and learned from her expression
the uselessness OF deceit.
"There Was place inside" he growl
ed, in barely audible tone, cas- hae
seventeen dollars and half in it."